A Song For America In 2005

Mercy Now
Written by 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 brother, 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
Every single one of us could use some mercy now

Mary Gauthier is a country artist from Louisiana who didn't write her first song until she was 35. By that time she'd stolen a car (her parents'), been in jail, enrolled in and dropped out of LSU and opened a cajun restaurant in Boston. Mercy Now is her fourth album and is an extraordinary piece of work. I urge everyone to head to her site and also buy her CD Mercy Now! This is is a special artist who deserves to be supported!

Words and music © 2005 UMG Recordings, Inc.