MERCY NOW

I had another of my always fascinating dinner gatherings with a small group of my liberal friends last Sunday. Less than a week since Obama became President Elect Obama, we obviously had a lot to rejoice about and toast. Our subject for the evening was poetry. We all had to bring a poem that had meaning in our lives. Since I don't read a lot of poetry, I chose a song that strikes a strong chord in my life at this time.

The singer/songwriter is a great musician by the name of Mary Gauthier. The song is called Mercy Now. After a bad reading of the lyrics by me, we played the song on the stereo. Check out the song on her myspace page.A great discussion developed afterward with the biggest debate being; Is mercy and forgiveness the same thing or different? I would love to hear your opinions on this. Enjoy her heartfelt music!

Mercy Now
Mary Gauthier

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 ‘em 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

Yea, 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
Every single one of us could use some mercy now