I’m watching the Live Earth coverage on NBC, and I’ve got to say, I’m impressed. It’s really well done — concert highlights intermixed with artist and celeb interviews, and plenty of easy tips on how to take action at home. For those on the East Coast, it’s too late — but West Coasters, tune in!
I was struck by two performances — both of Marvin Gaye’s 1971 hit "Mercy, Mercy Me" (one by Alicia Keys in New York and one by John Legend and Corinne Bailey Rae duetting in London). As Keys mentioned in her intro, the song is still very relevant today — a sad fact, when you think about it.
I’ll remind you of the lyrics:
"Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)" by Marvin Gaye
Woo ah, mercy mercy me
Ah things ain’t what they used to be, no no
Where did all the blue skies go?
Poison is the wind that blows from the north and south and east
Woo mercy, mercy me, mercy father
Ah things ain’t what they used to be, no no
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas, fish full of mercury
Ah oh mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain’t what they used to be, no no
Radiation under ground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Oh mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain’t what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Oh, na na …
My sweet Lord … No
My Lord … My sweet Lord
