Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds » Tracks
The Mercy Seat (7:15)
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“The Mercy Seat” is a song written by Nick Cave (lyrics and music) and Mick Harvey (music), originally performed by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds on the 1988 “Tender Prey” album. The title is a reference to Milton’s
The song tells the story of a man about to be executed by the electric chair. The “Mercy Seat” refers both to the throne of God in the heavens, which the man feels he will soon visit, and to the electric chair. The phrase “the mercy seat” is a reference to Milton’s Paradise Lost and the song is laden with allusions to Christianity. In the Old Testament, the mercy seat is the symbol of the throne of God over the Ark of the Covenant. The sentenced man claims that he is innocent, that he told the truth, and that he is not afraid to die.
The central register follows the structure:
And in a way I’m yearning To be done with all this measuring of truth. An eye for an eye And a tooth for a tooth And anyway I told the truth And I’m not afraid to die.
Over the course of the song the register is repeated and gradually altered from a defiant statement of innocence to admitting guilt and that he is deserving of death.
Cave’s vocals are delivered over a thick backing of guitars, organ, and strings. An acoustic version was also released as part of a bonus CD for the album “The Good Son” entitled “Acoustic Versions from Tender Prey”. This version was later reissued to appear on both the “Stripped” EP and “B-Sides & Rarities”. The song is a live standard of Cave’s, and has been performed at almost every concert since 1988.
The song tells the story of a man about to be executed by the electric chair. The “Mercy Seat” refers both to the throne of God in the heavens, which the man feels he will soon visit, and to the electric chair. The phrase “the mercy seat” is a reference to Milton’s Paradise Lost and the song is laden with allusions to Christianity. In the Old Testament, the mercy seat is the symbol of the throne of God over the Ark of the Covenant. The sentenced man claims that he is innocent, that he told the truth, and that he is not afraid to die.
The central register follows the structure:
And in a way I’m yearning To be done with all this measuring of truth. An eye for an eye And a tooth for a tooth And anyway I told the truth And I’m not afraid to die.
Over the course of the song the register is repeated and gradually altered from a defiant statement of innocence to admitting guilt and that he is deserving of death.
Cave’s vocals are delivered over a thick backing of guitars, organ, and strings. An acoustic version was also released as part of a bonus CD for the album “The Good Son” entitled “Acoustic Versions from Tender Prey”. This version was later reissued to appear on both the “Stripped” EP and “B-Sides & Rarities”. The song is a live standard of Cave’s, and has been performed at almost every concert since 1988.
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Shouts
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metalliman_lt wrote:
Great, moving song.
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BennyT11 wrote:
makes me want to scream (in the best possible way)
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Jelenino wrote:
what a great song
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Jairuin wrote:
best lyrics ever
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madafaka1 wrote:
dark, haunting, brilliant.
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chachachoke wrote:
One of the very few songs that can both make me sad and truly scare me. It just over-runs you no matter how you flutter, like a wave, like death. Beautiful classically-tinged poetry breaking into madness. And the video . . . Nick is possessed.
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mattmacneil wrote:
holy shit. Once you actually ACTUALLY focus on the lyrics, it gets you. It is overwhelming. It's brutal.
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davidbowiegirl wrote:
Yes, this never ends :D That's one of the reasons I love this one.
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subwersja wrote:
good lord, this song is so horrifying. i literally have my heart in my mouth while listening to it. i feel like it's me who's gonna sit on the mercy seat within minutes. and as the strings start around 4:10, the suspense becomes unbearable. i wanna yell "do it already!" but it never ends! they sing "and the mercy seat is waiting..." again and again and again and it's feels like eternity! no movie could give me such intense emotions.
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a2cell wrote:
let the fuck hrd party
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scheissebrau wrote:
That filthy five.
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im_your wrote:
one the best artist of ALL THE TIME
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Dette04 wrote:
LOVE IT.!!
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AgentOrange_ wrote:
Remember hearing this live in July, fucking fantastic!
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redsnowrose wrote:
I must hear this live sometime, I'll bet a live setting will make this song even more intense. Close your eyes and imagine yourself sitting on the mercy seat.. ouch.
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pentyharmonium wrote:
this song is terrifying. especially the strings at the end.
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letsgoawayfor wrote:
Time to get the alcohol out . . .
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carinaclysmic wrote:
This is my favourite song of all time
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Sundays_Slave wrote:
Very intense.
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Saorise1888 wrote:
One of my all time favourite Nick Cave song's; or anyone's songs come to that! Live its incredible. tad surprised its not higher up the most played list tho
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The Mercy Seat
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