Clark joined Sufjan Stevens' touring band in 2006, bringing with her a tour EP entitled Paris Is Burning. It contains three tracks, including a cover version of Jackson Browne's These Days.
Clark released her début album, Marry Me, 10 July 2007 on Beggars Banquet Records. Named after a line from the cult-hit television show Arrested Development, the LP features appearances from drummer Brian Teasley (Man or Astro-man?, The Polyphonic Spree), Mike Garson (David Bowie's longtime pianist), and horn player Louis Schwadron (The Polyphonic Spree).
In 2008 Clark was nominated for three PLUG Independent Music Awards: New Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and Music Video of the Year, and on 6 March 2008, she won the Female Artist of the Year award.
Her second album for 4AD, entitled Actor, was released on 5 May 2009. It was written entirely by Clark and produced by Clark and John Congleton of The Paper Chase.
The Strange Mercy Songfacts reports that Clark wrote her third album in Seattle. She decamped to the Northwestern city to escape from the information overload she was experiencing at home and recorded Strange Mercy in a studio provided by Death Cab For Cutie drummer Jason McGerr. The album was released by 4AD on September 12, 2011 and peaked at #19 on the Billboard 200, making it her first Top 20 LP.
2) A pseudonym of singer-songwriter Vincent Bernardy, who has written and recorded music since 1980. see also St. Vincent Folk
3) A singer/songwriter from Victoria, Australia.
14 Strange Mercy
St. Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And oh, little one, I ain't been around for a little while
But when you see me, wave
Oh, little one, your Hemingway jawline looks just like his
Our father in exile
For God only knows how many years
But when you see him, wave
I'll be with you, lost boys
Sneaking out where the shivers won't find you
Oh, little one, I'd tell you good news that I don't believe
If it would help you sleep
Strange mercy
If I ever meet the dirty policeman who roughed you up
No, I, I don't know what
If I ever meet the dirty policeman who roughed you up
I'll be with you, lost boys
Sneaking out where the shivers won't find you
The song "Strange Mercy" by St. Vincent features thoughtful and introspective lyrics that require some interpretation. The opening lines of the song, "Oh little one I know you've been tired for a long, long time / And oh little one I ain't been around for a little while" appear to be addressed to a loved one who has been struggling, possibly with depression or exhaustion. The singer acknowledges that she hasn't been present in this person's life for some time, but seems to want to offer comfort and support now that she is back. The repeated phrase, "But when you see me, wait," suggests that the singer is making a promise to be there for this person when they do finally reunite.
The second stanza of the song continues with an allusion to Ernest Hemingway, known for his writing style and his famously strong jawline. The line "Our father in exile / For God only knows how many years" suggests that the singer is comparing someone to Hemingway who has been absent or isolated from their loved ones for a significant amount of time. The repetition of "But when you see him, wait / Through double pain / I'll be with you lost boys / Sneaking out where the shivers won't find you" again emphasizes a desire to offer support and companionship to those who have been struggling.
Overall, the song appears to be about finding hope and comfort amid difficult circumstances. The repeated phrase "strange mercy" suggests that even when things don't make sense or feel particularly merciful, there may be unexpected moments of kindness or grace that can offer solace.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh little one I know you've been tired for a long, long time
You have been exhausted for a prolonged time, my dear
And oh little one I ain't been around for a little while
Sadly, I have not been present for a short while, my dear
But when you see me, wait
However, please wait for me when you spot me
Oh little one your Hemingway jawline looks just like his
Your jawline that resembles Hemingway's is striking, my dear
Our father in exile
Our father who was banished from his country
For God only knows how many years
It is unknown how many years it has been
But when you see him, wait
Nonetheless, please wait for him when you see him
Through double pain
Dealing with twice the agony
I'll be with you lost boys
I will accompany you, the lost boys
Sneaking out where the shivers won't find you
We will elude to a place where fear cannot reach you
Oh little one I'd tell you good news that I don't believe
My dear, I would convey glad tidings that I cannot fathom to be true
If it would help you sleep
Merely if it would assist you in sleeping
Strange mercy
This bizarre forgiveness
If I ever meet the dirty policeman who roughed you up
Suppose I come face-to-face with the corrupt law enforcement who harmed you
No I, I don't know what
To be honest, I am unsure at present
I'll be with you lost boys
I will accompany you, the lost boys
Sneaking out where the shivers won't find you
Together we will abscond to a place where fear cannot reach you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Anne Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oliviadelrey2894
this is amazing
@tapeinosG5011
LyRicS
Oh, little one, I know you've been tired for a long, long time
And oh, little one, I ain't been around for a little while
But when you see me, wave
Oh, little one, your Hemingway jawline looks just like his
Our father in exile
For God only knows how many years
But when you see him, wave
Through double pane
I'll be with you, lost boys
Sneaking out where the shivers won't find you
Oh, little one, I'd tell you good news that I don't believe
If it would help you sleep
Strange mercy
If I ever meet the dirty policeman who roughed you up
No, I, I don't know what
If I ever meet the dirty policeman who roughed you up
I'll be with you, lost boys
Sneaking out where the shivers won't find you
Writer/s: Anne Clark
Publisher: BMG Rights Management