Contrary to what some might assume, Ingram Hill is not of the name of a sol… Read Full Bio ↴Contrary to what some might assume, Ingram Hill is not of the name of a solo artist but rather, a band; no one in Ingram Hill is actually named Ingram Hill (just like there was never a musician named Lynyrd Skynyrd or Jethro Tull -- at least not in either of those well-known '70s bands). Like Cracker, Train, and Tonic, Ingram Hill has an earthy, unpretentious approach that is relevant to both alternative pop/rock and roots rock. The Memphis-based foursome aren't an exact replica of classic rockers from the '60s and '70s -- their work is more modern -- but they do have a certain down-home rootsiness that has gone over well in Southern rock circles. That isn't to say that their sound is stereotypically southern in the way that the Marshall Tucker Band and Black Oak Arkansas were stereotypically southern back in the '70s; Ingram Hill doesn't get into hell-raisin' good ol' boy stereotypes, and their lyrics tend to be reflective, introspective, and thoughtful. Their first release came in 2002, when they put out their debut EP, Until Now, on their own label, Traveler Records, and sold around 10,000 copies. Then, in 2003, the Memphis residents released their first full-length album, June's Picture Show, produced by Rick Beato, on Traveler. June's Picture Show had only been out a few weeks when Ingram Hill signed with Hollywood Records, which re-released the album in February 2004. Cold In California, produced by Oliver Leiber, followed from Hollywood in 2007. The band released a self-entitled country record in August 2012.

Troubled Mercy
Ingram Hill Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mercy fights a little war again
Always the one that tried so hard, but she couldn't win
To live what you're feeling, to hate what you feel
No one should live this way
That's all over, it's all over now

You never thought that you could feel this
Forever lonely was a better way

You make this world to fall apart
But you're more than you thought you could be
I won't leave you Troubled Mercy, yeah, yeah

Mercy tried to make things right again
But the dark is where she hides to cradle the sin
Hard to know what is real when you beg and you steal
But you don't wanna be this way
That's all over, it's all over now

You never thought that you could feel this
Forever lonely was a better way
You make this world to fall apart
But you're more than you thought you could be
I won't leave you Troubled Mercy

Your innocence is gone
You don't know where you lost it
Well, somehow it all went wrong
But it won't last long

You never thought that you could feel this
Forever lonely was a better way
You make this world to fall apart
But you're more than you thought you could be

I won't leave you Mercy
I won't leave you Troubled Mercy

Overall Meaning

Ingram Hill's "Troubled Mercy" is a deeply emotional song describing the struggles of a woman named Mercy who fights a constant inner battle against despair and guilt. The verses convey Mercy's feeling of being unable to overcome her difficulties despite trying hard. The line "To live what you're feeling, to hate what you feel" expresses her pain of being trapped in a situation she can't control. The song acknowledges the impossibility of overcoming mental health issues quickly, but eventually, Mercy decides to fight back against the darkness and make things right again. The chorus assures her that she is not alone and she is more than what she thinks she can be.

The lyrics of "Troubled Mercy" highlight the battle of fear against hope and the battle against the self in the context of mental health. Many listeners have found the song to be relatable and empowering. The line "Your innocence is gone, You don't know where you lost it" stands out as a poignant reminder on the impact of trauma on one's life. The song provides hope that with resilience and support, mental health issues can be overcome.

Line by Line Meaning

Mercy fights a little war again
Mercy is struggling with something difficult again.

Always the one that tried so hard, but she couldn't win
Mercy has a history of putting in effort but not succeeding in her struggles.

To live what you're feeling, to hate what you feel
It's difficult to accept and process one's emotions when those emotions are negative.

No one should live this way
Living with constant struggle and negative emotions is not sustainable or healthy.

That's all over, it's all over now
The difficult times are in the past and things are now changing for the better.

You never thought that you could feel this
The current positive change may be surprising to Mercy.

Forever lonely was a better way
Mercy may have preferred isolation to dealing with difficult emotions and situations.

You make this world to fall apart
Mercy may feel that she is responsible for the chaos in her life.

But you're more than you thought you could be
Mercy has the strength and ability to overcome her struggles.

I won't leave you Troubled Mercy, yeah, yeah
The artist (presumably a friend or loved one) is offering support and won't abandon Mercy in her struggles.

Mercy tried to make things right again
Mercy attempted to improve her situation and make amends for past mistakes.

But the dark is where she hides to cradle the sin
Mercy may feel guilt and shame regarding her past actions, and seeks comfort in the dark rather than confronting them.

Hard to know what is real when you beg and you steal
Mercy may have engaged in self-destructive or harmful behaviors which have left her feeling disconnected from reality.

But you don't wanna be this way
Mercy desires change and to improve her situation.

Your innocence is gone
Mercy has lost her sense of purity or naivety due to her struggles.

You don't know where you lost it
Mercy may not be aware of the exact moment or event that caused her to lose her innocence.

Well, somehow it all went wrong
Mercy's struggles and difficulties may have arisen without clear explanation or reason.

But it won't last long
The difficult times will not persist indefinitely if Mercy continues to try to improve her situation.

I won't leave you Mercy
The singer (presumably a friend or loved one) is offering unwavering support to Mercy.

I won't leave you Troubled Mercy
The artist acknowledges Mercy's struggles but still offers support and commitment.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANDREW CREIGHTON DODD, ADAM WATTS, JUSTIN MOORE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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