Have Mercy lyrics

Haven't seen this song getting much love yet - it's an iTunes bonus track but IMO one of the album's standouts. The female backing vocal really adds to the atmosphere of this track. Definitely for those who preferred MATZ and THC to Handwritten or the up-tempo singles released before this stream.

Some parts I'm unsure of. Enjoy


"Have Mercy"

Come pick me up from the night
from the hands of the dark
from the things I didn't know
that would simply break your heart
there were years in this room
blind and shattered in the glass
held it up to myself
'til I just couldn't stand
so don't ask me where I been
cause you don't wanna know
and don't ask me who I'm seein'
no, you don't wanna know
don't come around me here when I need you the most
leave it alone, leave a little room for the holy ghost.

And come take me out of the light
I don't feel you anymore
I came apart from myself
and from the crosses you wore
and the things in my soul
once my comfort and friend
I came to the reason and I lost you again

So don't ask me where I been
cause you don't wanna know
and don't ask me who I'm seein'
no, you don't wanna know
and don't come around me here when I need you the most
leave it alone... leave a little room for the holy ghost.

Now your pretty horse is runnin' wild and free
You can go and find a lover baby better than me
talkin' snow for days with your friends in L.A.
have mercy.
(x4)

Have mercy.

I like it a lot but it's bullshit that I am buying 2 different vinyl versions (I know I only need one) plus the Deluxe CD spending whatever that cost me ($60?) and I'll have to drop another $10 just to get one song in digital format?

Absolutely love this song. Such an amazing vibe to it, and the rhythm of the vocals for the outro is already one of my favourites of all time!

How is this just a bonus track?!!! The boys have made some awful calls in the past with stuff like this ('She Loves You' anyone?) haha

This is true...it's almost like they want to have a killer B Side or Bonus Track. They probably just really don't think the songs fits the theme of the rest of the album is my guess.

Yeah that's probably it. But with a stand out track like this I think it's better when it comes out of the blue and doesn't "fit" with the other songs. Like Blue Jeans on Señor.

Same words I heard. And yeah, again with the habit of a bonus track that should've absolutely made the album proper. Wow, SO good.

this song is just perfect.

Absolutely love this song, definitely one of the best on the album for me. Anyone have any idea what the "talking snow" lyric is all about?

How the hell this one is the itunes bonus track. Like it's one of the best songs they ever wrote and it's just available to a few. It's not even supposed to be on the deluxe CD or vinyl. They should have put Halloween as the itunes bonus track.

Ryan wrote:

Absolutely love this song, definitely one of the best on the album for me.  Anyone have any idea what the "talking snow" lyric is all about?

Here was my best guess for someone else on the forums who asked me to help her understand the lyrics (she isn't a native english speaker):

"I tried looking it up after hearing it but found nothing. It isn't a common phrase. I assume Brian essentially came up with it himself. I take it to either mean 1) something like 'shooting the crap' and 'small talk' and similar phrases that mean talking about random pointless things or 2) talkin snow could mean saying cold things -- like speaking badly of Brian to her friends.

This is my interpretation but I'm sorry I couldn't give a sure answer! "

SirBrad wrote:

I like it a lot but it's bullshit that I am buying 2 different vinyl versions (I know I only need one) plus the Deluxe CD spending whatever that cost me ($60?) and I'll have to drop another $10 just to get one song in digital format?

So download the leak and delete all the tracks except this one. You've still paid a ton for the album and you're not spending $10 on for one song.

That makes sense...

This song is incredible... Having an ex who lives in LA... The outro couldn't be more perfect for me

NervousFeet wrote:

Ryan wrote:

Absolutely love this song, definitely one of the best on the album for me.  Anyone have any idea what the "talking snow" lyric is all about?

Here was my best guess for someone else on the forums who asked me to help her understand the lyrics (she isn't a native english speaker):

"I tried looking it up after hearing it but found nothing. It isn't a common phrase. I assume Brian essentially came up with it himself. I take it to either mean 1) something like 'shooting the crap' and 'small talk' and similar phrases that mean talking about random pointless things or 2) talkin snow could mean saying cold things -- like speaking badly of Brian to her friends.

This is my interpretation but I'm sorry I couldn't give a sure answer! "

---
^Option two there is a strong option.

The blessings and curses of lyrics are the room for interpretation and I love the exploration and speculation process. Also really love that songs resonate with people for different reasons despite its native intent.


Option three? Given East Coast winters (especially of late), the person is bemoaning being stuck in the nasty weather out of obligation(s) when everything is bright and sunny in LA - and consequently - presumed to be easier.

I honestly thought it was another drug reference.

Snow = cocaine.

Talking snow is different than taking/doing snow....

I think it's Bs-ing, not thinking about the situation between them, just floating through life out in LA

Yeah I agree the talking part doesn't exactly fit with the coke interpretation. But by saying "talking" it may suggest a relaxed almost trivialised use of the stuff. It's LA after all

I would love it if they busted it out tnoight, very curious what jams they're gonna play!

If they do I hope someone films it! Would love to hear it live!

I think he is actually talking about cocaine in the song. I think it's just the way it is worded...he isn't actually talking snow. I believe he's saying, I'm talking, doing snow for days with your friends in LA. He also has mentioned someone else's cocaine in Rollin and Tumblin too. I believe he is talking about the same person in both songs.

Because of it being followed immediately by another reference to LA/California, I thought talking snow had to do with the weather, particularly the dichotomy between the East and West coasts.

the girl voice at the end makes it a great ending

I've just decided that I want to marry whoever is singing those backing vocals. So please, a name and some pictures!

mingus wrote:

I've just decided that I want to marry whoever is singing those backing vocals. So please, a name and some pictures!

Her name is Natalie Prass. Right now she's in Jenny Lewis' band and has an album coming out this fall.

^impressive response time