Kirk was born Ronald Kirk on 7th August 1935, in Columbus, Ohio, but felt compelled by a dream to transpose two letters in his first name to make Roland. After another dream in about 1970 he added Rahsaan to his name.
His playing was generally rooted in soul jazz or hard bop, but Kirk's encyclopedic knowledge of jazz history allowed him to draw convincingly on any element of the music's history, from ragtime to swing and free jazz. Kirk also regularly explored classical and pop music.
Kirk played and collected a vast number of musical instruments, mainly various saxophones, clarinets, and flutes. His main instruments were tenor saxophone, and two obscure saxophones: the manzello (similar to a soprano sax) and the stritch (a straight alto sax lacking the instrument's characteristic upturned bell). Kirk modified these instruments himself to accommodate his simultaneous playing technique. He typically appeared on stage with all three horns hanging around his neck, as well as a variety of other instruments, including flutes and whistles. Kirk also played harmonica, cor anglais, recorders, and was a competent trumpeter. He often used unusual instruments or combinations of instrument parts, using a saxophone mouthpiece on a trumpet or playing nose flute. He additionally used many extramusical sounds in his music, such as alarm clocks, whistles, sirens, and even primitive electronic sounds (before such things became commonplace).
In addition to the saxophones, Kirk was also an influential flautist, employing several novel techniques that he developed himself. One technique was to sing or hum into the flute at the same time as playing. (This technique was adopted later by many other players, including Jeremy Steig and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull.) Another was to play the standard transverse flute at the same time as a nose flute.
mercy mercy me
Rahsaan Roland Kirk 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 lyrics to Rahsaan Roland Kirk's song "What's Goin' On/Mercy Mercy Me" are a reflection of the impact human activity has had on the environment. The song is an outcry for mercy and a plea for people to take responsibility for the damage they have caused. The first verse starts with "Woo ah mercy, mercy me", an expression of desperation and sadness over the current state of the world. The chorus then reveals the central message of the song - things aren't what they used to be. The blue skies have disappeared, replaced by poison in the wind that blows from all directions. The second verse continues with the environmental theme, highlighting the oil wasted on the ocean and how it has impacted sea creatures. The use of mercury in manufacturing has also led to fish being contaminated, making people sick if they eat them.
The final verse addresses how overpopulation has led to overcrowding, putting even more pressure on the environment. Human activity has caused radiation to seep into the ground and into the sky, leading to the death of animals and birds who live nearby. The chorus of "mercy, mercy me" is repeated throughout the song, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need for action. The song encourages listeners to be more mindful of the environment, to reduce waste and pollution, and to be responsible stewards of the Earth.
Line by Line Meaning
Woo ah mercy, mercy me
Expressing concern and requesting mercy for the dire state of the world
Ah, things ain't what they used to be.
Acknowledging that the world has significantly deteriorated over time
No, no, where did all the blue skies go,
Questioning the disappearance of the clear blue skies
Poison is the wind that blows
The air that once brought freshness is now toxic
From the north and south and east
No region is immune to the pollution and contamination
Woo mercy, mercy me
Re-emphasizing the need for mercy and help
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon
The oil spills have severely impacted the ocean and its wildlife
Our seas fish full of mercury, ah. oh
The same seas that once provided food now carry hazardous chemicals
What about this over crowded land
Asking what will happen to a land that is overcrowded and cannot sustain this population growth
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Questioning if the earth can continue to tolerate the constant exploitation and abuse by humans
Oh mercy, mercy me.
Once again asking for mercy and intervention
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
The radiation levels, both above and below ground, have become hazardous
Animals and birds who live near by are dying oh,
The wildlife that depends on the earth is disappearing due to environmental degradation
Animals and land how much more abuse from man can she stand?
Asking again how much more destruction and abuse the earth can bear from humans
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind