Mercy Mercy Me
Grover Washington Jr. Lyrics
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Ah, things ain't what they used to be.
No, no, where did all the blue skies go,
Poison is the wind that blows
From the north and south and east
Woo mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no, no
Our seas fish full of mercury, ah. oh
Ah things ain't what they used to be
What about this over crowded land
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Oh mercy, mercy me.
Ah things ain't what they used to be.
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Animals and birds who live near by are dying oh,
Oh mercy, mercy me.
Ah things ain't what they used to be.
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Animals and land how much more abuse from man can she stand?
The song "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" by Grover Washington Jr. delves into the widespread environmental degradation caused by human beings. The opening lines "Woo ah mercy, mercy me, Ah, things ain't what they used to be" references the degradation of the environment over time. The following lines "No, no, where did all the blue skies go, Poison is the wind that blows From the north and south and east" highlights air pollution that is driving away the beautiful clear sky and replacing it with a poisonous, polluted one.
The song then progresses to reference the ecological disasters caused by oil spills in the ocean and the negative impact it has on marine life. The lines "Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas fish full of mercury, ah. oh" highlights the contamination of fish in the ocean with mercury, making them unhealthy for consumption. The chorus "Oh mercy, mercy me. Ah, things ain't what they used to be" reinforces the idea that human actions are causing irreparable damage to the environment.
The final verse "No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky; Animals and birds who live near by are dying oh" highlights how nuclear disasters and radiation poisoning are affecting not only humans but also animals and birds. The closing line "Animals and land how much more abuse from man can she stand?" calls for people to reflect on their actions and take responsibility for the damage they have caused to nature before it is too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Woo ah mercy, mercy me
Oh my, I implore you to have mercy on me
Ah, things ain't what they used to be.
Oh, how things have changed over time
No, no, where did all the blue skies go,
No, we can't find the beautiful blue skies anywhere
Poison is the wind that blows
The wind carries toxic substances with it
From the north and south and east
The wind comes from all directions - north, south and east
Woo mercy, mercy me
Oh my, please have mercy on me
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon
Oil is being dumped in the ocean
Our seas fish full of mercury, ah. oh
Fish in the seas are contaminated with mercury
What about this over crowded land
What about this land that is full of people?
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
How much more harm can the Earth tolerate from humans?
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
No, no, there is radiation below ground and above in the sky
Animals and birds who live near by are dying oh,
Animals and birds in the vicinity are dying
Ah things ain't what they used to be.
Oh, how things have changed over time
Oh mercy, mercy me.
Oh my, please have mercy on me
Ah things ain't what they used to be.
Oh, how things have changed over time
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
No, no, there is radiation below ground and above in the sky
Animals and land how much more abuse from man can she stand?
How much more harm can the Earth tolerate from humans - to the point where it impacts animals and the ground they live on?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kerry hewson
I bought this album in 71 or 72 ? and I STILL listen and ❤️ that strings opening makes me cry ,NEVER gets old Grover was an amazing sax player pure soul ranks with Stanley Turrentine
David Fitzgerald
I love this so much. So beautiful. So much heart in the playing. Timeless. Sublime. Love the dynamics. Seems like a love tribute to Marvin and a totally triumphant one. How did Grover do it? In songs like this and every one on Winelight, his lines were so lyrical, every note in the arrangement perfect. Inspired?
Bryce D. Anderson
This was his greatest album.....really miss him.....top notch player
Gary Augustus
One of the iconic albums to influence my 16 yr old teenage jazz listening back in the day.. I was enamored with pretty much everything Creed Taylor produced then, from the artists in his indomitable stable of musicians to the album cover photos and liner notes. Remember how we used to clean our doobiage on the surfaces of the covers, smoke one, then explore everything with eyes and ears...?
Kean Drysdale
This is wicked wicked wicked saxophone this is a wicked wicked saxophone
kerry hewson
I’m another big CTI creed Taylor fan - another great album apart from this is salt song by Stanley turrentine which I’m sure you know 👏👌also sky dive by Freddie Hubbard - I mean how amazing we’re all those musos? Herbie hancock , Ron carter Eumir deodato to name but a very few of these pure talent ‼️ you must be similar age lol but last year travelled thru VA and just saw creed Taylor was fr Lynchburg VA FYI I’m fr west coast of Australia and luckily had a dad who had miles Davis 78s , music is in my blood
Gary Augustus
@kerry hewson ..I do remember those you mentioned. In addition, Hubert Laws, Ron Carter, George Benson, Hank Crawford and so many more....I first discovered Esther Phillips just by the visuals of the CTI brand...
Be well, mate..
Andre
And so it begins for me, Jazz from my Dad to my heart. I'm must have played this song a million times plus, and one, more again. KUDU
J Eshun
Happy heavnly 77th birthday to one of the founders of Smooth Jazzm saxophonist Grover Washington Jr, the native New Yorker hit us with some classics as this Marvin Gaye cover
Jan Chesson
Oh, Man! Just like I remember him playing it live. Wow.