Neither Corinne Bailey Rae nor John Legend can do any wrong in my book, so it makes sense that when the two came together on the stage in London's Wembley Stadium for a 2007 Live Earth concert, the pairing was nothing less than magical—not just because the two have incredible voices, but because they chose a song whose lyrics, 38 years after their debut on Marvin Gaye's legendary What's Going On LP, stand the test of time. Mercy, Mercy Me (Ecology) is revered now, more than ever, because of its truth and its prophecy; the lyrics make me turn off lights and grab my Publix cloth shopping bags and rush the kids out of the shower and plant stuff out in the backyard—make me marvel at what God's created and vow to do better by it.
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
No, no
Where did all the blue sky go?
Poison is the wind that blows
From the north and south and east
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
No, no
Oil wasted on the oceans and upon our seas
Fish full of mercury
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
No, no
Radiation in the ground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land?
How much more abuse from man can you stand?
My sweet Lord
My sweet Lord
My sweet Lord
Sweet Lord, indeed.
Protect our Earth—it's the only one we have.
Happy Earth Day.
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I'm a HUGE Corinne Baily Rae and John Legend fan. I love the video and their voices mesh together just beautiful. Thanks for sharing the lyrics because it makes it even that much better.
ReplyDeleteMy brother who is 55 introduced me to the music of Marvin Gaye when I was 4. I had no idea what this song meant then, but I loved it and I loved hearing it today. Thank you:)
ReplyDeleteLove it, love it love it!!!
ReplyDeleteNICE :)
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