Mercy Mercy Me
Washington Grover Jr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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?
Washington Grover Jr's song Mercy Mercy Me is a soulful track that highlights the degradation that our planet is undergoing at the hands of humanity. The chorus of the song, "Mercy Mercy Me," indicates the helplessness that the singer feels about the situation. The first verse sets the mood of the song, where the singer laments the loss of blue skies and the presence of poisonous winds from all directions. The word "mercy" is repeated, emphasizing the sense of despair and the need for mercy for our environment.
The second verse focuses on two ecological disasters, the first being the oil spills in the ocean that have led to the death of marine life. The second is the presence of mercury in fish in our seas, which is harmful to human consumption. The verse emphasizes the fact that things are not the same as they have always been, and how man's actions are damaging the planet.
The third verse of the song highlights the problem of overpopulation and the abuse that the land can take. The verse emphasizes how man's actions are responsible for the damage that is being caused to the environment. The repetition of the word "mercy" is a plea for help from a higher power, as humanity seems powerless to prevent the destruction of the planet.
Line by Line Meaning
Woo ah mercy, mercy me
Expressing distress and a call for mercy and compassion.
Ah, things ain't what they used to be.
The current state of things is not the same as it was in the past.
No, no, where did all the blue skies go,
Expressing concern over the lack of clear, blue skies.
Poison is the wind that blows
The wind is toxic and harmful.
From the north and south and east
The toxic wind is coming from multiple directions.
Woo mercy, mercy me
Expressing distress and a call for mercy and compassion.
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon
Referring to the wasteful use of oil in the ocean.
Our seas fish full of mercury, ah. oh
The fish in our seas are contaminated with mercury.
What about this over crowded land
Expressing concern over an overpopulated and overstressed environment.
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Asking how much more harm the environment can take from human actions.
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Expressing concern over radiation both above and below ground.
Animals and birds who live near by are dying oh,
Wildlife in the vicinity are suffering the effects of radiation.
Oh mercy, mercy me.
Expressing distress and a call for mercy and compassion.
Ah things ain't what they used to be.
The current state of things is not the same as it was in the past.
Animals and land how much more abuse from man can she stand?
Asking how much more harm the environment can take from human actions.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kerry hewson
I bought this album in 71 or 72 ? and I STILL listen and ❤️ that strings opening makes me cry ,NEVER gets old Grover was an amazing sax player pure soul ranks with Stanley Turrentine
David Fitzgerald
I love this so much. So beautiful. So much heart in the playing. Timeless. Sublime. Love the dynamics. Seems like a love tribute to Marvin and a totally triumphant one. How did Grover do it? In songs like this and every one on Winelight, his lines were so lyrical, every note in the arrangement perfect. Inspired?
Bryce D. Anderson
This was his greatest album.....really miss him.....top notch player
Gary Augustus
One of the iconic albums to influence my 16 yr old teenage jazz listening back in the day.. I was enamored with pretty much everything Creed Taylor produced then, from the artists in his indomitable stable of musicians to the album cover photos and liner notes. Remember how we used to clean our doobiage on the surfaces of the covers, smoke one, then explore everything with eyes and ears...?
Kean Drysdale
This is wicked wicked wicked saxophone this is a wicked wicked saxophone
kerry hewson
I’m another big CTI creed Taylor fan - another great album apart from this is salt song by Stanley turrentine which I’m sure you know 👏👌also sky dive by Freddie Hubbard - I mean how amazing we’re all those musos? Herbie hancock , Ron carter Eumir deodato to name but a very few of these pure talent ‼️ you must be similar age lol but last year travelled thru VA and just saw creed Taylor was fr Lynchburg VA FYI I’m fr west coast of Australia and luckily had a dad who had miles Davis 78s , music is in my blood
Gary Augustus
@kerry hewson ..I do remember those you mentioned. In addition, Hubert Laws, Ron Carter, George Benson, Hank Crawford and so many more....I first discovered Esther Phillips just by the visuals of the CTI brand...
Be well, mate..
Andre
And so it begins for me, Jazz from my Dad to my heart. I'm must have played this song a million times plus, and one, more again. KUDU
J Eshun
Happy heavnly 77th birthday to one of the founders of Smooth Jazzm saxophonist Grover Washington Jr, the native New Yorker hit us with some classics as this Marvin Gaye cover
Jan Chesson
Oh, Man! Just like I remember him playing it live. Wow.