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Mercy
Gabriella Cohen Lyrics
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I cannot be saved
Have mercy on me
I've forgotten my own name
Have mercy on me
Well I'm ten-feet in and I'm up against a wall
But I believe I'm half grown
Have mercy on me
You called me last night from the L.A airport
I've never been able to say that before
But it's nice, yes it's nice to be loved
I'm leaving the city of oh-slow decline
People get stuck here, stuck in their minds
Have mercy on me
Have mercy on me I'm just trying to make a buck
People see me on the street they wanna wish me good luck
Oh it's nice, yes it's nice to be alone
Put your best foot forward, learn to talk a certain way
You'll be doing this forever, damned if I say
Have mercy on me
The song "Mercy" by Gabriella Cohen is a heartfelt plea for understanding and compassion. The first two lines of the song, "Have mercy on me, I cannot be saved; Have mercy on me, I've forgotten my own name" set the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer is in a vulnerable state and feels lost and forgotten. The repetition of the line "Have mercy on me" throughout the song emphasizes the desperate need for help and support.
The following lines describe the singer's current situation, feeling trapped and helpless. The phrase "I'm ten-feet in and I'm up against a wall" suggests the singer is in a difficult and challenging position. They are facing obstacles, but still believe they can overcome them despite feeling only partially grown. The idea of being half grown suggests that the singer is still learning and growing but is not fully equipped to handle what lies ahead.
The next part of the song describes a phone call from someone at the L.A airport. This seems to be a significant event for the singer, who remarks "I've never been able to say that before." This could imply that the singer has not had many experiences of being loved or cared for. This new experience is appreciated, yet there is still a hint of sadness in her voice. The final lines of the song speak to the overall struggle of making a living in a world that can feel unforgiving. The singer is trying to survive on the streets and relies on the kindness of strangers. The closing line "Have mercy on me" is a last plea for help and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Have mercy on me
I'm in need of help and understanding
I cannot be saved
I feel like I'm beyond repair
I've forgotten my own name
I feel lost and disconnected from myself
Well I'm ten-feet in and I'm up against a wall
I'm in a difficult situation with no easy way out
They're paving the way
Others seem to have it easier than me
But I believe I'm half grown
I'm learning and growing from my struggles
You called me last night from the L.A airport
I appreciate the attention and affection
I've never been able to say that before
It's a new and positive experience for me
But it's nice, yes it's nice to be loved
I'm grateful for the love and support I receive
I'm leaving the city of oh-slow decline
I'm moving on from a stagnant and uninspiring environment
People get stuck here, stuck in their minds
It's easy to become trapped in negative thought patterns
Have mercy on me
I'm still struggling and need help and compassion
Have mercy on me I'm just trying to make a buck
I'm doing my best to survive and make a living
People see me on the street they wanna wish me good luck
I appreciate the kindness and positivity of strangers
Oh it's nice, yes it's nice to be alone
Sometimes solitude can be a relief from the pressures of the world
Put your best foot forward, learn to talk a certain way
To succeed, you have to conform to certain expectations and norms
You'll be doing this forever, damned if I say
I refuse to be trapped in a cycle of conformity and mediocrity
Have mercy on me
I'm still struggling and need help and compassion
Contributed by Adalyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.