Looking down on empty streets, all she can see
Are the dreams all made solid
Are the dreams made real
All of the buildings, all of the cars
Were once just a dream
In somebody's head
She pictures the broken glass, pictures the steam
She pictures a soul
With no leak at the seam

Let's take the boat out
Wait until darkness
Let's take the boat out
Wait until darkness comes

Nowhere in the corridors of pale green and grey
Nowhere in the suburbs
In the cold light of day
There in the midst of it, so alive and alone
Words support like bone

Dreaming of Mercy Street
Where you're inside out
Dreaming of Mercy
In your daddy's arms again
Dreaming of Mercy Street
Swear they moved that sign
Dreaming of Mercy
In your daddy's arms

Pulling out the papers from drawers that slide smooth
Tugging at the darkness, word upon word
Confessing all the secret things in the warm velvet box
To the priest, he's the doctor
He can handle the shocks
Dreaming of the tenderness, the tremble in the hips
Of kissing Mary's lips

Dreaming of Mercy Street
Where you're inside out
Dreaming of Mercy
In your daddy's arms again
Dreaming of Mercy Street
Swear they moved that sign
Looking for mercy
In your daddy's arms

Mercy, Mercy, looking for Mercy Street
Looking for Mercy
Mercy, looking for Mercy
Looking for Mercy
Looking for Mercy
Oh, Mercy
Looking for mercy

I'm with the father, is out in the boat
Riding the water
Riding the waves on the sea


Lyrics submitted by fez

Mercy Street Lyrics as written by Peter Gabriel

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Mercy Street song meanings
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35 Comments

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  • -1
    General Comment

    I just thought "Mercy St." was a cool song, but this song is clearly about sexual child abuse. It's quite disturbing when one re-reads the lyrics...so much to digest...so much to comprehend. The lyrics are beset by a dark musical atmosphere. "Mercy St." is quite a work of art. And yes, Miranda nailed it. Well done.

    truegriton August 02, 2006   Link

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