The Black Sorrows is a blues-oriented Australian rock band that carries str… Read Full Bio ↴The Black Sorrows is a blues-oriented Australian rock band that carries strong influences from zydeco, country and hillbilly music. The band formed in 1983 around singer-songwriter Joe Camilleri in the wake of his principal band Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons dissolution. The band has played host to a revolving lineup of musicians with Camilleri the only constant. The band initially played covers until producing originals, some of which saw moderate Top 40 success during the 80s and 90s ("Chained to the Wheel, Hold on to Me.") The band played on before laying dormant in 2004, reviving in 2008 to release a triple-album.

Have Mercy
The Black Sorrows Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Have mercy, have mercy, baby
Have mercy, have mercy on me
Well I went to see the gypsy
To have my fortune read She said "Man, your baby gonna leave you
Her bags are packed up under the bed,"
That's right
Have mercy, have mercy, baby
Have mercy, have mercy on me

But if you leave me baby
Girl if you put me down
I'm gonna make it to the nearest river child
And jump overboard and drown
That's right
Have mercy, have mercy, baby
Have mercy, have mercy on me

I said hey hey baby, hey hey now
What you trying to do
Hey hey baby, hey hey now
Please don't say we're through
Have mercy, have mercy, baby
Have mercy, have mercy on me
But if you stay baby
I tell you what I'm gonna do

I'm gonna work two jobs, seven days a week
And bring my money home to you
That's right
Have mercy, have mercy, baby
Have mercy, have mercy on me
Yeah

Have mercy, have mercy, baby
Have mercy, have mercy on me

Overall Meaning

The Black Sorrows’ song, “Have Mercy,” is a classic blues tune that describes a man’s plea for his lover’s mercy. The singer of the song is pleading for his lover to stay with him; lamenting that the gypsy’s fortune-telling session reveals that his lover plans to leave him. The singer is so desperate to keep his lover that he declares he would work two jobs seven days a week to keep her around. The man still holds out hope that he might be able to keep his lover in spite of the prediction. He says “Please don’t say we’re through,” and begs for her mercy.

The song is a classic example of a blues tune in its structure and instrumentation. The lyrics are simple, repetitive, and speak to the human condition. The repeated line of “Have mercy, have mercy, baby/ Have mercy, have mercy on me” is meant to convey the intensity of the singer’s feelings. Furthermore, the guitar solo in the middle of the song showcases some impressive blues licks and adds an extra layer of emotional depth.

The song’s lyrics are timeless, as the theme of love and loss remains relevant in any era. The song’s simple structure and instrumentation make it a classic blues tune that can be enjoyed by anyone. The song’s message of desperation and hopelessness in the face of rejection is a message that resonates across generations.

Line by Line Meaning

Have mercy, have mercy, baby
The singer is pleading with their partner for forgiveness and understanding.

Have mercy, have mercy on me
The singer is asking their partner to spare them from whatever punishment or consequence they might face as a result of their actions.

Well I went to see the gypsy To have my fortune read She said "Man, your baby gonna leave you Her bags are packed up under the bed,"
The singer went to a fortune teller who predicted that their partner is about to leave them, and that she's already packed her belongings and is ready to go.

But if you leave me baby Girl if you put me down I'm gonna make it to the nearest river child And jump overboard and drown
The artist is hopeless and desperate. They're saying that if their partner leaves them, they would rather die than live without them.

I said hey hey baby, hey hey now What you trying to do Hey hey baby, hey hey now Please don't say we're through
The artist is trying to reason with their partner and understand why they want to leave. They're begging them not to end the relationship.

But if you stay baby I tell you what I'm gonna do I'm gonna work two jobs, seven days a week And bring my money home to you
The singer is promising to work extremely hard to make their partner happy and provide for them financially if they stay.

Yeah Have mercy, have mercy, baby Have mercy, have mercy on me
The singer is still pleading for mercy and forgiveness from their partner.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BECKFORD PKA U-ROY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Rowan_Ark

2y↑18

That was my favourite performance of Audrey and my favourite song in Snowpiercer!!

JavertRA

2y↑9

I had been sort of "in the room but not watching" the first series and only really got hooked on Series 2. If you watch from start to finish, Miss Audrey really has one of the most complex and interesting character developments throughout the series.

JA Smith

I'm still waiting for mainstream to realize the talent in this woman. She will rise to the top I'm sure one day. I'm a fan you can see.

ਬਲਜਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ

1y↑2

I can feel Miss Audrey's pain 💔

Nathan Hudson-Young

2y↑3

Layton is so cute when he asks for more time to hold his newborn baby daughter even though he has a head injury.

Helyx Helyx

1y↑1

It is as if all time stops for these brief moments while I enjoyed the splendour of Miss Audrey's well picked tune that I forgot this is a speeding train ready to break apart. @lenahall