Mercy Mercy Me
Morris Sarah Jane 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?
In the song "Mercy Mercy Me," Morris Sarah Jane expresses his concern about the environmental issues that were affecting the world in the 1970s. He sings about how things are no longer the way they used to be, with the blue skies being replaced by poison from the north, south, and east. He continues to sing about the impact of oil waste on the ocean and how it has made the fish full of mercury. He concludes that things are not the same anymore, with the overpopulation and abuse from man on the land, making the environment unbearable. The sense of despair that emanates from the lyrics is a reflection of the helplessness that people have in changing the environmental concerns that were becoming prevalent.
The lyrics are autobiographical, reflecting Morris Sarah Jane's passion for the environment. The song was written in 1971 when the environmental protection movement was gaining momentum, and people were becoming more aware of its impact. The lyrics address the pressing environmental issues that were facing America and the world. The song was not just a song of protest but also a song of hope, as the artist believed that change was possible if people took responsibility for the environment.
Line by Line Meaning
Woo ah mercy, mercy me
Expressing the need for mercy and compassion towards the current state of the world
Ah, things ain't what they used to be.
Acknowledging the decline of the world and how it is not as good as it used to be
No, no, where did all the blue skies go,
Wondering where the once clear skies have disappeared to
Poison is the wind that blows
The air is polluted and dangerous to breathe
From the north and south and east
The pollution and harm is coming from all directions
Woo mercy, mercy me
Reiterating the need for mercy towards the current state of the world
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon
Oil being spilled and harming the ocean and its creatures
Our seas fish full of mercury, ah. oh
Fish in the sea are contaminated with mercury and therefore unsafe to eat
What about this over crowded land
Raising concern about the issue of overpopulation and its effects on the environment
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Asking the question of how much more damage the earth can take from human actions
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Mentioning the presence of dangerous radiation both underground and in the atmosphere
Animals and birds who live near by are dying oh,
Asserting that the wildlife is suffering and dying as a result of the harm being done to the environment
Animals and land how much more abuse from man can she stand?
Questioning how much more harm the earth can take from human actions
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carolnicholson6634
I’m 74 today! I will always love this music, the artist. He was and still is amazing❤
@LOVEHAS1JOYRAINS2
🎉Mother Father God is here on earth!!! Playing this song and reaching out to all of you who read this divine message. Phone home today. Our creators luv you from the beginning these are very urgent moments to contact our parents ❤🎉 Luna
@shampoobottle2264
I'm 18 and love this artist
@xbrandi12345x
Happy Belated Birthday!!
@IsabelMartinez-ow5hd
Something about this song, makes me cry. It’s so beautifully written.
@victoriapassiflower2482
Me too 🫂❤️
@MsThebeMoon
Cry for the earth - the planet ---- abused by man and money.
@JamusChristus
You are much more macho than me because EVERYTHING about this piece makes me cry. I suppose this is how Marvin cried too. That's painful and beautiful.
You see, Tammi Terrell was his soulmate and he had to witness her leaving here. I reckon that catalyzed an existential moment. When he died, my mother cried hard for some days. DAYS. I was 9. I told her that if it would help, I'd be Marvin Gaye. I just didn't want her in that much pain. My father couldn't access her. I'm the de facto favorite child. She laughed. My kid sister was born at home and I made Mom laugh when I aped her labor breathing. They kicked me out of the room for good reason. So that Marvin thing, 6yrs later was pithy.
All of that to say Marvin was a siren in that he could grab our senses by the nuts. He was a beautiful comet. He came. He saw. He lived. He loved. We saw we learned. He got outta here like Hendrix, Dolphy, Joplin, Cobain... the list is too long. But he touched us. He knew how we felt. So it's hard not to cry
@cadenadams6592
Parents got married to this song ❤
@nativesonya1865
Yep, me too 😢 touches my soul