I stood in the water
In the middle month of winter
My camel skin was torture
I was in a state of nature
The wind, sir, it was wicked
And I was so alone
And just as I predicted
My followers were gone

And I cried "Mercy" (mercy, on me)
Have mercy upon me (mercy, on me)
And I got down on my knees

Crying "Mercy" (mercy, on me)
I had mercy on me (mercy, on me)
And I got down on my knees

Thrown into a dungeon
Bread and water was my portion
And faith, my only weapon
To rest the devil's legion
The speak-hole would slide open
A viper's voice would plead
A voice thick with innuendo
Syphilis and Greed

And she cried "Mercy" (mercy, on me)
Have mercy upon me (mercy, on me)
I told her to get down on her knees

Crying "Mercy" (mercy, on me)
I have mercy upon me (mercy, on me)
I told her to get down on her knees

A garden full of roses
My hands were tied behind me
My cousin's working miracles
I wondered if he'd find me
The moon advanced toward me
Like a platter made of gold
My death, it almost bored me
So often was it told

And I cried "Mercy" (mercy, on me)
Have mercy on me (mercy, on me)
I dropped down to my knees (to my knees)

And I cried "Mercy" (mercy, on me)
Have mercy on me (mercy, on me)
And then you pushed me to my knees (to my knees)

Mercy (mercy on me)
Have mercy upon me (mercy, on me)
And I dropped down on my knees (on my knees)

Crying "Mercy" (mercy, on me)
I had mercy on me (mercy, on me)
And I got down on my knees (on my knees)

Crying "Mercy" (mercy, on me)
Oh, have mercy, have mercy on me (mercy, on me)
And I dropped down on my knees


Lyrics submitted by Dressed2Depress

Mercy Lyrics as written by Nicholas Cave

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Mercy song meanings
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    General Comment

    The "She" in "She cried mercy" was Herods wife. John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod because he renounced Herod's divorce from his first wife and marrying his brother's wife. I'm guessing the second verse refers to her asking John the Baptist to forgive Herod while he was improsoned. "I asked her to get down on her knew" is obviously his denial of that forgiveness. The third verse refers to his death at her request; to have his head brought to her on a platter. Brilliant, emotional depiction of a very grim Biblical event!

    dave152427on June 22, 2014   Link

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