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Mary Gauthier — Mercy Now
Album: Mercy Now
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2038









Released: 2005
Length: 5:47
Plays (last 30 days): 0
My father could use a little mercy now
The fruits of his labor
Fall and rot slowly on the ground
His work is almost over
It won't be long and he won't be around
I love my father, and he could use some mercy now

My brother could use a little mercy now
He's a stranger to freedom
He's shackled to his fears and doubts
The pain that he lives in is
Almost more than living will allow
I love my bother, and he could use some mercy now

My church and my country could use a little mercy now
As they sink into a poisoned pit
That's going to take forever to climb out
They carry the weight of the faithful
Who follow them down
I love my church and country, and they could use some mercy now

Every living thing could use a little mercy now
Only the hand of grace can end the race
Towards another mushroom cloud
People in power, well
They'll do anything to keep their crown
I love life, and life itself could use some mercy now

Yeah, we all could use a little mercy now
I know we don't deserve it
But we need it anyhow
We hang in the balance
Dangle 'tween hell and hallowed ground
Every single one of us could use some mercy now
Every single one of us could use some mercy now
Comments (307)add comment
Thank you RP, for introducing me to this song and this artist.  When I heard this song, it struck me the same way as the best John Prine did when I first heard his songs.  My day and life are just a little better now.
Yet another Troubadour of our time.....a gift to the world in my opinion....
thought it was Lucinda.  Had to stop and look
 Jelani wrote:



Huh?



Second that.
God, she's excellent!
 Cynaera wrote:
I've always loved this song, no matter who sings it - because it makes me cry when I need to cry but the tears won't come... {#Sunny}


Miss you Cynaera. You were one of the good ones. The music brought me to RP, your posts made the ride worthwhile. 
Could use a little mercy now, more than ever sigh😔 ?!
 reindeer wrote:

This song is depressing, and the idea that religion needs a break after being responsible for so many covid deaths and child rapes.  Religions needs to get religion and fuck off with this awful begging for mercy bullshit after causing so much hate and division and sucking up to any and every dictator wannabe monster that ever was.  

Churches want free speech as a group?  That is NOT democracy.  We had the Holy Roman Empire, and it SUCKED.

Fuck off with mercy for killers and rapists and those the promote illness of any kind for political gain.
Some in religion need a collective bitchslap just for covid alone.
Thanks for driving us apart and making us hate each other.
Genius move.  Wile E. Coyote genius. 

It won elections.  Oh wait....


i thought only people drank too much...who serves reindeer?
I love this song, and I discovered it right here. Thanks, RP!
So long as some humans continue to believe that "Only the hand of grace can end the race Towards another mushroom cloud" we are doomed.
This may be the most annoying "Country Twangy"  Song ever!  Shame on RP for playing it.
Love Mary's insight on the world around her...and yet RP doesn't play my two favorites of hers... Drag Queens in Limousines and Camelot Hotel.
8 => 9 because I am blown away by the lyrics 
This song is depressing, and the idea that religion needs a break after being responsible for so many covid deaths and child rapes.  Religions needs to get religion and fuck off with this awful begging for mercy bullshit after causing so much hate and division and sucking up to any and every dictator wannabe monster that ever was.  

Churches want free speech as a group?  That is NOT democracy.  We had the Holy Roman Empire, and it SUCKED.

Fuck off with mercy for killers and rapists and those the promote illness of any kind for political gain.
Some in religion need a collective bitchslap just for covid alone.
Thanks for driving us apart and making us hate each other.
Genius move.  Wile E. Coyote genius. 

It won elections.  Oh wait....


As per Wikipedia:  "a soul song first recorded by American singer/songwriter Don Covay in 1964." 

 bhromo1 wrote:

Radio Paradise is turning into a soak concentrated  juice of WOKE! Ill have to search for a better source of good non vias music!




Huh?
Edweirdo - we don’t always see eye to eye on the music but I like what you are saying here…
 bhromo1 wrote:

Radio Paradise is turning into a soak concentrated  juice of WOKE! Ill have to search for a better source of good non vias music!


Vias?  Do you mean the town to the west of Montpelier in southern France?  A lovely part of the world.

That said, I'm also having trouble parsing "soak concentrated juice of WOKE".  Do you mean you don't like people being respectful of race, gender, sexual orientation, and you'd like a return to the "good old days" of calling a fag a fag, and other disgusting epithets that would probably get me banned?
 bhromo1 wrote:

Radio Paradise is turning into a soak concentrated  juice of WOKE! Ill have to search for a better source of good non vias music!

Can i pack a sandwich then?

It's depressing how deaf the country is to this message. :(  There's always a loud asshat in every crowd that likes it how it is.
I have not heard a better song for our times
Drags on horribly for far too long. Awful. 
 McBuggins wrote:

Saw in a tiny venue in Bristol a few years back, just her and a guy on fiddle, she held the audience for 2 hours, a mesmerising talent.



lucky you
 MissElaineious wrote:

Give me some mercy now from this song. I just recently started to listen to RP after being gone for years. I've already heard this song 3 times. Snore. 




Agreed, there seems to be a trend to fewer songs in heavy rotation. I am hoping for more variety, most of the time?
Give me some mercy now from this song. I just recently started to listen to RP after being gone for years. I've already heard this song 3 times. Snore. 
This is why I love RP. I don't come from a country/blues background (at all!), yet this song was new (to me), featured a fantastic voice, and had lyrics that touch deep in the same vein as those "hippie" songs of old. Mellow and haunting; an excellent mix.

I was saddened to see how many people in the comments get politically butt-hurt by a song, but this song, even if it's political, clearly is more about wanting to be in a better place by opening our hearts more than anything else. Sorry for those who missed that :(

Keep it up!
 radioparadise9 wrote:
You (the USA) don't deserve any mercy
Stupidity has consequences ... who knew

You elected Donald Trump - now you are the world leader in Covid deaths per million ... and there is no end in sight

A deeply divided, racist, delusional society that cannot protect its Capitol from a mob of fascist goons egged on by Moscow's Man

Have a nice day




I don't like you.
Following the discourse below, it seems pretty obvious what's going on:

This is a powerful song which evokes emotions. AS SUCH SHOULD. Now, some people do not like experiencing this effect and like deranged Pavlov's dogs on drugs, they lash out knee-jerk fasion; "ermahgerd, what a horrible (insert opposite faction)-song"

If you feel an irresistible urge to turn things political every time something trips you up emotionally, then it's YOU who is broken, not the fucking song.
From your mouth to God's ear, Mary. 
 rdo wrote:

I hope you mean not just the troops, so as not to exclude the Iraqi people who they are there trying to help.  If you don't mean that, then you are a fool who clearly does not know personally a single soldier there.



The troops trying to help... I often deploy military force to help the community. It's not the troops fault. They're under orders. But why pretend that this was about anything but oil.
This song makes me want to cry. 
Saw in a tiny venue in Bristol a few years back, just her and a guy on fiddle, she held the audience for 2 hours, a mesmerising talent.
Never truer lyrics.

Spine tingling.
 macadavy wrote:

"Yeah, we all could use a little mercy now
I know we don't deserve it
But we need it anyhow"





INDEED . . . .
Except, we DO deserve it.
Deserve it AND need it.

March, 2022


Any song that raises goosebumps on my arms deserves at least an "8" on my rating scale.  Simple, but chilling lyrics, sung beautifully.
(Maybe, after contemplating what I just wrote,  I'll have to bump it up to a "9".)
Yup, just did.
Wow, nice song. First time hearing Mary Gauthier. Glad I rolled out from under the rock!
So good.
thank you for playing this - I remember the very first time I heard Mercy Now, fifteen years ago, while working for my father - it stopped me in my tracks then and it stops me in my tracks now. This song still tears at my heart whenever I hear it, especially now that I come up on the sixth anniversary of my father's passing.
 radioparadise9 wrote:
You (the USA) don't deserve any mercy
Stupidity has consequences ... who knew

You elected Donald Trump - now you are the world leader in Covid deaths per million ... and there is no end in sight

A deeply divided, racist, delusional society that cannot protect its Capitol from a mob of fascist goons egged on by Moscow's Man

Have a nice day





Wow. Dunning - Kruger at it's utmost.
 radioparadise9 wrote:
You (the USA) don't deserve any mercy

Welcome back, Stingray!
Great talent.  Wish she and Iris Dement would tour together.
I absolutely love this song.
The tough raters of songs on here could use a little mercy now. This is a beautiful and sentimental song and perfectly timed for the political climate in the world.
 radioparadise9 wrote:
You (the USA) don't deserve any mercy
Stupidity has consequences ... who knew

You elected Donald Trump - now you are the world leader in Covid deaths per million ... and there is no end in sight

A deeply divided, racist, delusional society that cannot protect its Capitol from a mob of fascist goons egged on by Moscow's Man

Have a nice day


 
Comments like these age like milk and I wish people would refrain from making them on a music site. 
You (the USA) don't deserve any mercy
Stupidity has consequences ... who knew

You elected Donald Trump - now you are the world leader in Covid deaths per million ... and there is no end in sight

A deeply divided, racist, delusional society that cannot protect its Capitol from a mob of fascist goons egged on by Moscow's Man

Have a nice day


I prefer Leonard Cohen... Reading her Wikipedia entry I think I understand where she's coming from. Just ain't my thang...!
Definitely. Our country could use a little mercy now. Look at the lyrics and feel the situation our country faces now. 
Definitely appropriate for today, this time....
Thank you Bill!
 nmcvaugh wrote:
Amazing how reactions to a song can change with life events. Liked this before, but not especially. Then our pooch of 11 years developed sudden kidney failure. So glad we could show him some mercy when he needed it and it was clear that there was nothing to be done. We'll miss you Dozer. 6 > 8 (all music ratings are personal).
 
My dog is 16 and relatively healthy now.   However, he has slowed way down and needs meds for the arthritis pain.   As a pup born in December, he always loved the snow.  No longer.  Soon I fear... 
Amazing how reactions to a song can change with life events. Liked this before, but not especially. Then our pooch of 11 years developed sudden kidney failure. So glad we could show him some mercy when he needed it and it was clear that there was nothing to be done. We'll miss you Dozer. 6 > 8 (all music ratings are personal).
Bill's comment on recent political events.
I 100% agree 
"Yeah, we all could use a little mercy now
I know we don't deserve it
But we need it anyhow"
Won't be buying this album any time soon.  Ho hum indeed.
A wee bit embarrassed at this show, a warm-up for Eliza Gilkyson. I had no idea who Gauthier was, but bought a CD before the show started, as is my habit, and sat down....right next to Gauthier. Never did recognize her until she walked up on stage to start her show!
I find this to be quite likeable


If you continue to listen to her lyrics....she says "every living thing could use a little mercy now" - this is a great song. 

And...I don't usually like SAD Country sounding songs....but this is apropos..


 Umberdog wrote:
Until she started singing about church and country it was an okay song... then it became just another Republican blah, blah, blah... mindless propaganda.
 
Don't usually say such harsh things, but I believe you must be an idiot ... open your ears and LISTEN

political hysteria aside...the song is at best TEDIOUS {#Sleep}
 Ears_of_Stone wrote:
I was going to add a snarky comment related to reading comprehension or the lack thereof but I decided to show a little mercy.

 
Why?  That is what this comment board is for.  If your comment is directed at me perhaps, I would be interested to hear what you have to add.  Snarky is fine.  Sorry, but nice is boring.  If I could screen for all of the banal comments here I would.  This song really does touch a nerve, and I am sure it is intentional. It is a political song.  Why not respond?  I am a Democrat who has never once voted for a Republican candidate.  I am a moderate liberal.  I found that comment repulsive, but I am not sure what the person meant exactly, true.  It could have been a mistake by her, but I am not so sure.  It was not a matter of reading comprehension.


I was going to add a snarky comment related to reading comprehension or the lack thereof but I decided to show a little mercy.

I find it hard to believe this is a "pro" right wing or tea party song.  To the contrary, it seems she's disappointed with her church and country for getting into such a big mess.  If you look at it that way, she's saying church and country could use a little mercy now - i.e. she wants to forgive what her church has become or done, and wants her country to take a different course.
 Shesdifferent wrote:
I hope this song applies to all the people and families in Iraq and I don't mean the troops......
 
I hope you mean not just the troops, so as not to exclude the Iraqi people who they are there trying to help.  If you don't mean that, then you are a fool who clearly does not know personally a single soldier there.

yes.
she is really good. Thanks for this one, though it looks like it's criminally underrated
 Shesdifferent wrote:
I hope this song applies to all the people and families in Iraq and I don't mean the troops......
 
Sure, but I believe she intended this song for the good old USA - we all can use a little, don't you think?

Too,Too True:
Only the hand of grace can end the race
Towards another mushroom cloud
People in power, well
They'll do anything to keep their crown
I love life, and life itself could use some mercy now

Just read through a bunch of the comments on this one and Mary Gauthier in general. My take? A lot of the listeners below should walk a mile in Mary's shoes so they can understand the other side of life. I love this song and I love the whole album. It speaks a powerful, beautiful truth. Look the other way if you want, but it's still the truth.


Mercy me Bill. Great set this morning.
I hope this song applies to all the people and families in Iraq and I don't mean the troops......
 cvandoren wrote:
I really liked the sound of this at the beginning, but the repetitive lyrics that I found senseless (why should every living thing use a little mercy now??)  really turned me off.  Went from a 6 to a 2 as I was listening

 
See my comment, below. This world needs more mercy and understanding. I've been where she's been and I understand her message.


Another RP introduction for me. Her music and words have such beautiful and pure message of redemption, something our American culture needs more of. Love this so much. Thanks for exposing me to this, Bill.
She's quite a songwriter, and started late in life after running away from home and battling drugs and other nasty stuff. Here's an interview:
https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/mary_gauthier/


I really liked the sound of this at the beginning, but the repetitive lyrics that I found senseless (why should every living thing use a little mercy now??)  really turned me off.  Went from a 6 to a 2 as I was listening

does anyone hear John Prine?
To listen to the catalog of songs, you would say it was a 'downer'.  There are some gems that I extracted from her collection, just because they are brilliant, regardless of the mood I'm in.  "For Rose" remains one of my favorites, if you shoud decide to look her up some more.  I lost someone very close to me by the name of Rose.  I played that song until I worked out my grief.  Fortunately, for her, Mary Gauthier has a tremendous fan base.  It may or may not include those of you that think Led Zepp deserves a 10 for just showing up at the studio...I digress...
 emmidad wrote:
Liked this song so took a chance and bought the CD. Unfortunately this is the best song on the CD, the rest is just okay.
 
That's the beauty (or pitfall) of RP. Bill has an amazing and uncanny ability to find the one gem of a song on a CD of dross. Which is good, unless you buy the CD hoping for a string of gems. Believe me, I know because I've done it more than once.

I like it. She has quite a history if you read about her personal life.

This is my favorite part

Only the hand of grace can end the race
Towards another mushroom cloud
People in power, well
They'll do anything to keep their crown
I love life, and life itself could use some mercy now
Boy, she didn't leave much out did she? I guess everything is going to hell.

I could use some mercy from this song.

 Ebon_Lupus wrote:
Until she started singing about church and country it was an okay song... then it became just another Republican blah, blah, blah... mindless propaganda.
 
I must be pretty dim to have missed the message that this song is somehow Republican. My guess is that you heard a word or two and proceeded to construct a huge edifice on top of it. Maybe if you listen with an open mind your conclusion would be different. True, this is not an uplifting song, but propaganda?
Save this for the C & W stations
I've always loved this song, no matter who sings it - because it makes me cry when I need to cry but the tears won't come... {#Sunny}
 scrubbrush wrote:
 

not so sure it's all that right-wing of a sentiment:

My church and my country could use a little mercy now

As they sink into a poisoned pit

That's going to take forever to climb out

They carry the weight of the faithful

Who follow them down

I love my church and country, and they could use some mercy now



 
Yeah. No tea party here....

I could use a little mercy now.... MUTE!
Mercy Now, please...
 nate917 wrote:
I don't mind the church reference so much; the song totally tugs at my heartstrings.
 
agree.  in most cases it causes the "insta-1" effect, but this one slipped through the net.

 Ebon_Lupus wrote:
Until she started singing about church and country it was an okay song... then it became just another Republican blah, blah, blah... mindless propaganda.
  

not so sure it's all that right-wing of a sentiment:

My church and my country could use a little mercy now

As they sink into a poisoned pit

That's going to take forever to climb out

They carry the weight of the faithful

Who follow them down

I love my church and country, and they could use some mercy now



yeah, but she's saying the Church and country has some real problems; so, in my mind, it was fine to put that verse in:
and the "poisoned pit" pretty apropos right about now

My church and my country could use a little mercy now
As they sink into a poisoned pit
That's going to take forever to climb out
They carry the weight of the faithful
Who follow them down
I love my church and country, and they could use some mercy now


Liked this song so took a chance and bought the CD. Unfortunately this is the best song on the CD, the rest is just okay.
Makes me want to hear Willie.
Until she started singing about church and country it was an okay song... then it became just another Republican blah, blah, blah... mindless propaganda.
 nate917 wrote:
I don't mind the church reference so much; the song totally tugs at my heartstrings.
 
I love this son. It tugs hard at my heartstrings also.

However, I personally think there should be no mercy on the church now. Protect our children, protect our self respect, protect our legal rights. Put an end to the Catholic church.


I don't mind the church reference so much; the song totally tugs at my heartstrings.
 jadewahoo wrote:
The lyrical sentiment is appropos. The musical style (Cawntry) is one I find no enjoyment of.
 
Strikes me as more like Foke, but ah lahks it anyways.
I like it!
Must be some powerful music to elicit such extreme comments. I vaguely recall a great discussion about why roots music and blues generally appeal to older audiences that went something like: "This is adult music. It requires context. You have to have some miles on you, some battle scars and perspective to understand the beauty and the pain".

Thanks! There's still someone making great lyrics and good songs! Love this one!
 musickat wrote:

I just think this is beautiful song.  so sincere and compassionate.   we should all try to have some.


 
I agree. And her other songs are just as good.

I just think this is beautiful song.  so sincere and compassionate.   we should all try to have some.


Really like this. Thank you. Timely.
 gekkosan wrote:

She's a good singer. The song is horrible.
 
You could use some mercy, now.


Lucinda?  Is that you?
 TexasAggies wrote:

Acoustic guitar sound is excellent...

 
Exactly what I was thinking ...
 Pyro wrote:

I don't get it either.  RP is a tough crowd!

 


She's a good singer. The song is horrible.
i love my brother. he could use some mercy now.
9->10
The lyrical sentiment is appropos. The musical style (Cawntry) is one I find no enjoyment of.
 jnhashmi wrote:
Make it stop, please! 
 
You could use some mercy now.
 PeterRigg wrote:
5.9? Surely not.  She can hold a note; voice full of colour and character; the picking's cracking; the sentiments spot on. What is it?  Do you think it's gloomy or something? Mercy!
 
I don't get it either.  RP is a tough crowd!

 PeterRigg wrote:
5.9? Surely not.  She can hold a note; voice full of colour and character; the picking's cracking; the sentiments spot on. What is it?  Do you think it's gloomy or something? Mercy!
 

To paraphrase the Marine Colonel played by Jack Nicholson, some people just can't deal with the truth. (And I'm not referring to you, Peter.)


5.9? Surely not.  She can hold a note; voice full of colour and character; the picking's cracking; the sentiments spot on. What is it?  Do you think it's gloomy or something? Mercy!
Make it stop, please! 
This grabs me every time.  Sublime.

 

 

thanx mary, good timin'!  {#Angel}


 



 toterola wrote:

Socialism, huh? Give it a rest.

We're all neck-deep in a bail-out system that's going to cost northwards of $5 trillion, and it was caused by over-reaching, greedy bastards.

Just like the run-up to the Great Depression. Right-wingers back then called FDR a socialist, too. But he rescued their ass just like he did everyone else.

I think we may all yet get a taste of an "awful system". I just pray to God we can pull out of the nose-dive before we hit bottom. {#Flamed}
 
Sqrrrly wrote that statement about Algrif's comment from 2006.
I have a feeling Algrif wasn't referring to the state of affairs here in 2009.

Or was he? {#Think}
 sqqqrly wrote:

Awful system we live in now? I'd love to know which system of the past you would prefer?

I think we are so spoiled and most of use do not even know it. As a result we make comments about our awful system and make preparations to fix our American system by pushing ourselves ever further towards socialism. Our system could be improved no doubt. But the medicine may be worse than the disease. Someday we may be telling our grandchildren how Great America was, just as Brits do today.
 
Socialism, huh? Give it a rest.

We're all neck-deep in a bail-out system that's going to cost northwards of $5 trillion, and it was caused by over-reaching, greedy bastards.

Just like the run-up to the Great Depression. Right-wingers back then called FDR a socialist, too. But he rescued their ass just like he did everyone else.

I think we may all yet get a taste of an "awful system". I just pray to God we can pull out of the nose-dive before we hit bottom. {#Flamed}
Mary Gauthier is nearly blind with an eye condition, yet she's emerging a songwriting tour de force. This is a great song for these times.
This song seams to hit the spot for me.
The wife says... don't give it suck-o-barfo...  I concur... Sweet...  give her a 9!

algrif wrote:
For ages I've been trying to work out why I don't really like this one. Not just because its C&W. A real reason. I think Ive got it.
She goes on and on stating the obvious. Everybody needs a little mercy in the awful system that we are living in at the moment. But then we all know that already. This sickly song seems to want to state something important, but all it does is repeat something we already know over and over and over and ......

Awful system we live in now? I'd love to know which system of the past you would prefer?

I think we are so spoiled and most of use do not even know it. As a result we make comments about our awful system and make preparations to fix our American system by pushing ourselves ever further towards socialism. Our system could be improved no doubt. But the medicine may be worse than the disease. Someday we may be telling our grandchildren how Great America was, just as Brits do today.