Santana is a Latin music and rock band formed in San Francisco, California … Read Full Bio ↴Santana is a Latin music and rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1966 by Mexican-American guitarist Carlos Santana. The band came to public attention with their performance of "Soul Sacrifice" at Woodstock in 1969. This exposure helped propel their first album, also named Santana, into a hit, followed in the next two years by Abraxas and Santana III. Lineup changes were common. Carlos Santana's increasing involvement with guru Sri Chinmoy took the band into more esoteric music, though it never lost its Latin influence.

In 1998, the band Santana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Carlos Santana, José "Chepito" Areas, David Brown, Gregg Rolie, Mike Carabello, and Michael Shrieve The band has earned nine Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards, the latter all in 2000. Carlos Santana won a Grammy Award as a solo artist in 1988. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling groups of all time. In 2013, Santana announced a reunion of the classic line-up for a new album, Santana IV, which was released in April 2016. They are tied for having the most won Grammy Awards in one night.

Mercy Mercy Me
Santana Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Woo ah, oh mercy mercy me
Hh, 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

Oh mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our sea

Fish full of mercury

Oh oh
Oh mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be, no no
Radiation underground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying

Oh oh mercy, mercy me
Oh things ain't what they used to be
Oh What about this overcrowded land?
How much more abuse from man can she stand?

Oh oh, yeah
Oh na
Oh oh oh, oh my sweet Lord, no
Yeah, woah

Oh oh oh
Mercy, mercy
The rivers of blood are flowing down the street
(Lord have mercy) From the sisters and brothers, black and brown

Lord have mercy
Love, compassion
Lord, forgiveness
Ain't no future without forgiveness

Mercy
Love, compassion
Lord, forgiveness
Ain't no future without forgiveness

Mercy
Love, compassion
Lord, forgiveness
Ain't no future without forgiveness

Mercy
Love, compassion
Lord, forgiveness
Ain't no future without forgiveness

Mercy
Love, compassion
Lord, forgiveness
Ain't no future without forgiveness

Mercy
Love, compassion

Lord, forgiveness
Ain't no future without forgiveness

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Santana's song "Mercy Mercy Me" convey a sense of lament and concern for the state of the world and the environment. The repetitive phrase "Oh mercy mercy me" emphasizes the plea for mercy and reflects a longing for things to be better, reminiscent of a nostalgic yearning for the past.

The line "Things ain't what they used to be, no no" suggests a recognition that the world has changed, and not for the better. It signifies a loss of innocence and a realization that the present lacks the inherent beauty and purity that was once experienced. The mention of the disappearance of blue skies highlights the physical degradation of the environment, possibly due to pollution and other human activities.

The lyrics also touch upon the effects of pollution, particularly in relation to oil spills and the contamination of the ocean. The line "Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our sea" indicates the careless and harmful human actions that have led to the poisoning of marine life, where fish now contain mercury. This serves as a commentary on the detrimental consequences of industrialization and disregard for the natural world.

The mention of radiation in the earth and sky implies the dangers of nuclear activities and their impact on both humans and animals. The critical observation that "Animals and birds who live nearby are dying" highlights the devastating effects of these activities on the surrounding ecosystems.

In addition to the environmental concerns, the lyrics briefly touch upon social issues. The line "The rivers of blood are flowing down the street" suggests the presence of violence and conflict, particularly racial tensions. The plea for mercy is extended to the "sisters and brothers, black and brown," conveying a message of unity and the need for compassion and understanding.

The repetition of the phrases "Love, compassion, Lord, forgiveness" and "Ain't no future without forgiveness" serves as a call for humanity to prioritize love, compassion, and forgiveness in order to build a better future. It implies that without these values, the world will continue to suffer from the consequences of greed, pollution, and violence. The lyrics emphasize the need for change and the importance of restoring harmony with both the environment and each other.

Line by Line Meaning

Woo ah, oh mercy mercy me
Expressing astonishment and pleading for compassion

Hh, things ain't what they used to be, no no
Acknowledging that the current state of things is drastically different from the past

Where did all the blue skies go?
Questioning the disappearance of a once beautiful and clear sky

Poison is the wind that blows from the north and south and east
Describing the dangerous and harmful nature of the wind coming from multiple directions

Oh mercy, mercy me
Repeated plea for compassion and understanding

Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Reiterating the significant changes in the current state of affairs

Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our sea
Highlighting the irresponsible and wasteful usage of oil in the ocean

Fish full of mercury
Drawing attention to the contamination of fish with mercury

Oh oh
Expression of concern and worry

Radiation underground and in the sky
Indicating the presence of harmful radiation below the surface and in the atmosphere

Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Observing the negative impact on the local wildlife, resulting in mortality

Oh oh mercy, mercy me
Continued plea for compassion and understanding

Oh things ain't what they used to be
Acknowledging the further deterioration of the current situation

Oh What about this overcrowded land?
Questioning the consequences of an overpopulated and congested environment

How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Reflecting on the excessive mistreatment of the Earth and wondering how much more it can endure

Oh oh, yeah
Expression of concern and agreement

Oh na
Internal vocalization without a specific meaning

Oh oh oh, oh my sweet Lord, no
Exclaiming in disbelief and seeking mercy from a higher power

Yeah, woah
Expressing agreement and emotional impact

Oh oh oh
Expression of concern and worry

Mercy, mercy
Repetition of the plea for compassion and understanding

The rivers of blood are flowing down the street
Metaphorical description of violence and suffering prevalent in society

(Lord have mercy) From the sisters and brothers, black and brown
Appealing to a higher power for mercy and acknowledging the specific hardships faced by marginalized groups

Lord have mercy
Continued plea for divine intervention and mercy

Love, compassion
Emphasizing the importance of love and empathy

Lord, forgiveness
Seeking forgiveness and redemption from a higher authority

Ain't no future without forgiveness
Stating that without forgiveness, there can be no hope for a better future

Mercy
Reiteration of the plea for compassion

Love, compassion
Reiteration of the importance of love and empathy

Lord, forgiveness
Repetition of the desire for forgiveness

Ain't no future without forgiveness
Reiteration that forgiveness is essential for a brighter future

Mercy
Continued plea for compassion

Love, compassion
Continued emphasis on the value of love and empathy

Lord, forgiveness
Continued desire for forgiveness

Ain't no future without forgiveness
Stating once again that forgiveness is crucial for a positive future