Mercy
The Jazz Butcher Lyrics


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She steps right off the pages of a book that's long been banned
And into the saloon bar, where I'm waiting for my man.
It's ludicrous. She's luminous. I can't stay in the room.
The pathology of passion says that I shall be consumed.

She's everything you think you want, perhaps a little more,
As far away as China, with three bolts upon the door;
The first of these is reason, the second bolt is time,
The third one's self-destruction, but that part suits me fine.

Fishy no - don't do this, because you won't get through this.
You've already let this pass you by. My, my.

Fishy no - don't do this, because you won't get through this.
She's already let you pass her by. My, my.





Oh, Mercy, there's no beauty without cruelty.

Overall Meaning

The Jazz Butcher's song Mercy tells the tale of a man who encounters a woman he can't resist. She seems to come right out of a forbidden book, and as soon as she steps into the picture, he can't stay in the room. The singer describes her as luminous and acknowledges that he will be consumed by his passion for her, which is a sentiment often found in poetry and literature. However, he also realizes that while she is everything he thinks he wants (and more), she is too far away from him and protected by three bolts on a door. This distance, coupled with a sense of self-destruction on the singer's part, makes the situation even more complicated.


Despite his predicament, the singer seems to have a clear-eyed understanding of the situation. He repeats a warning to himself, trying to convince himself not to pursue this woman, as he already let this opportunity pass him by. The woman has already let him pass her by, so it seems like a missed opportunity that can never be regained. The song ends with the haunting line "Oh, Mercy, there's no beauty without cruelty," which speaks to the bittersweet nature of passion and its consequences.


Line by Line Meaning

She steps right off the pages of a book that's long been banned
The woman who walks into the bar is so intriguing and forbidden, she seems like a character from a book that's been banned for being too scandalous.


And into the saloon bar, where I'm waiting for my man.
The singer is waiting for someone, presumably a romantic partner, in the saloon bar.


It's ludicrous. She's luminous. I can't stay in the room.
The singer is overwhelmed by the woman's beauty and presence, finding it almost ridiculous that someone could be as captivating as her.


The pathology of passion says that I shall be consumed.
The artist realizes that their intense feelings towards this woman could lead to their own destruction, but can't resist them regardless, believing that passion inevitably takes a toll on those who experience it.


She's everything you think you want, perhaps a little more,
The woman seems like the perfect lover, exceeding expectations and being everything the artist could have wanted and more.


As far away as China, with three bolts upon the door;
The woman seems distant and untouchable, like she's all the way in China with bolted doors to keep people out.


The first of these is reason, the second bolt is time,
The first door represents rational thought, while the second represents the passing of time and how it can distance people from each other.


The third one's self-destruction, but that part suits me fine.
The third door represents self-destructive tendencies, which the artist is willing to embrace if it means being with the woman.


Fishy no - don't do this, because you won't get through this.
This refrain seems to be a warning to the artist, saying that pursuing this woman will only end in disappointment and heartbreak.


You've already let this pass you by. My, my.
The woman has already passed the artist by, possibly meaning that they missed a chance to be with her in the past.


Oh, Mercy, there's no beauty without cruelty.
The singer seems to be talking to the woman herself, saying that the beauty she possesses cannot come without a certain level of cruelty or danger.




Contributed by Ellie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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