Mercy – English Lyrics

• By: Duffy

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the depths of desire and autonomy with Duffy's signature song, "Mercy." This soulful hit offers a glimpse into the complexities of emotions and moral convictions, inviting listeners to connect with its raw, organic sound and empowering message. Discover the nuances of Duffy's vocal delivery and the song's retro-soul influences, and learn how "Mercy" became a defining moment in her career .

[English]

[♪♪♪]

♪ Hit the beat and take it to the verse now ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ I love you ♪

♪ But I gotta stay true ♪

♪ My morals got me on my knees ♪

♪ I'm begging, please, stop playing games ♪

♪ I don't know what this is ♪

♪ But you got me good, just like you knew you would ♪

♪ I don't know what you do ♪

♪ But you do it well ♪

♪ I'm under your spell ♪

♪ You got me begging you for mercy ♪

♪ (Yeah, yeah) ♪

♪ Why won't you release me? - (Yeah, yeah, yeah) ♪

♪ You got me begging you for mercy ♪

♪ (Yeah, yeah) - Why won't you release me? ♪

♪ (Yeah, yeah) ♪

♪ I said release me - (Yeah, yeah, yeah) ♪

♪ Now you think that I ♪

♪ Will be something on the side ♪

♪ But you got to understand ♪

♪ That I need a man ♪

♪ Who can take my hand, yes, I do ♪

♪ I don't know what this is ♪

♪ But you got me good, just like you knew you would ♪

♪ I don't know what you do ♪

♪ But you do it well ♪

♪ I'm under your spell ♪

♪ You got me begging you for mercy ♪

♪ (Yeah, yeah) ♪

♪ Why won't you release me? - (Yeah, yeah, yeah) ♪

♪ You got me begging you for mercy ♪

♪ (Yeah, yeah) - Why won't you release me? ♪

♪ (Yeah, yeah) ♪

♪ I said you better release me - (Yeah, yeah, yeah) ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, break it down now - (Yeah, yeah, yeah) ♪

♪ I'm begging you for mercy ♪

♪ Yes, why won't you release me? ♪

♪ I'm begging you for mercy ♪

♪ You got me begging ♪

♪ You got me begging ♪

♪ You got me begging ♪

♪ Mercy - (Yeah, yeah, yeah) ♪

♪ Why won't you release me? - (Yeah, yeah, yeah) ♪

♪ I'm begging you for mercy - (Yeah, yeah, yeah) ♪

♪ Why won't you release me? - (Yeah, yeah, yeah) ♪

♪ You got me begging you for mercy, yeah ♪

♪ I'm begging you for mercy - (Mercy, mercy, show me some) ♪

♪ I'm begging you for mercy - (Mercy, mercy, show me some) ♪

♪ I'm begging you for mercy - (Mercy, mercy, show me some) ♪

♪ I'm begging you for mercy - (Mercy, mercy, show me some) ♪

♪ Why won't you release me? ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, break it down ♪

♪ (Mercy) - You got me begging ♪

♪ Begging you for mercy ♪

♪ (Release me) - You got me begging ♪

♪ Down on my knees, I'm begging ♪

♪ You got me begging ♪

♪ Begging you for mercy ♪

♪ You got me begging ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
mercy /ˈmɜːrsi/ B2	noun - compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm
begging /ˈbɛɡɪŋ/ B1	verb - to ask someone earnestly or humbly for something
release /rɪˈliːs/ B2	verb - to allow or enable to escape from confinement; to set free
true /truː/ A2	adjective - in accordance with fact or reality
games /ɡeɪmz/ A1	noun - activities that one engages in for amusement or fun
morals /ˈmɔːrəlz/ B2	noun - principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior
spell /spɛl/ B1	noun - a form of words used as a magical charm or incantation
knew /njuː/ A2	verb - to have knowledge or awareness of something
got /ɡɒt/ A1	verb - to obtain or receive
man /mæn/ A1	noun - an adult human male
hand /hænd/ A1	noun - the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to feel deep affection for someone
stay /steɪ/ A2	verb - to remain in the same place or position
good /ɡʊd/ A1	adjective - to be desired or approved of
think /θɪŋk/ A2	verb - to have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something

Key Grammar Structures

• But I gotta stay true

  ➔ Gotta (got to): Informal contraction of 'got to', expressing obligation or necessity.

  ➔ Here, "gotta" means "have to". The speaker feels obligated to remain honest and faithful to their own principles.

• My morals got me on my knees

  ➔ Causative 'got': Using 'got' to indicate that something caused a particular state or action.

  ➔ The speaker's morals have caused them to be in a vulnerable and submissive position ("on my knees"). "Got me on my knees" implies the morals put them in that position.

• But you got me good, just like you knew you would

  ➔ Idiomatic use of 'got me good': Implies being thoroughly affected or manipulated by someone.

  ➔ "Got me good" signifies that the other person has successfully and completely influenced or affected the speaker, often in a negative way. "Just like you knew you would" highlights the intentionality behind their actions.

• I'm under your spell

  ➔ Metaphorical use of 'under your spell': Suggests being completely captivated or controlled by someone's influence.

  ➔ This line implies that the speaker feels powerless against the other person's allure or manipulation. They are in a state where they cannot resist the other person's influence.

• Why won't you release me?

  ➔ Interrogative sentence with 'will': Expressing a strong desire or plea.

  ➔ The use of "won't" highlights the speaker's frustration and desperation. They are questioning the other person's refusal to let them go, indicating a desire to be free from the situation.

• Now you think that I will be something on the side

  ➔ Future tense with 'will': Expressing a belief or prediction about a future event.

  ➔ Here, "will be" expresses the speaker's perception of the other person's expectation for the future of their relationship. The speaker believes the other person sees them as a secondary option.

• Who can take my hand, yes, I do

  ➔ Relative clause with 'who': Used to provide additional information about a person (the man).

  ➔ 'Who can take my hand' defines the kind of man the speaker desires. The phrase "yes, I do" is an emphatic affirmation of this desire.