Mercy Bound
Joan Baez · Other Songs - Joan Baez
To the sound of a voice that was almost a scream
Oh oh oh
From out of the city and out of the street
Out where the wind hits the cold concrete
Oh oh oh
It's cold outside
Darkness your enemy
No place to hide
The voice said this to me
In your doorways I have shivered
In your alleys I have gone to ground
But I will be delivered
Someday I will be mercy bound
I dreamed again it was west L.A.
On a crowded street on a hot summer day
She was alone
Three months late and beginning to show
In a midriff blouse she would soon outgrow
She had no one to call
And no way home
And in my mind
I knew I'd seen myself
But in our blindness
It always seems like someone else
There I was a rag a bone
A remnant in your lost and found
I was for once truly alone
Longing to be mercy bound
And I knew that I would wander as child in the forest
Till they found me
And I called out to them but I could not penetrate the silence
All around me
And when I wake I know you'll comfort me
And I won't sleep again for an eternity
But others lie awake at night
In desperation more profound
And the coming of the morning light
Will not see them mercy bound
And some will never dream again
From sleeping on the ground
Just longing to belong
And dying to be mercy bound
Oh please don't stop your dreaming
Someday we'll all be mercy bound
Mercy Bound
Joan Baez's 'Mercy Bound' stands as a testament to her enduring commitment to acoustic folk and social consciousness. Recorded in the classic style that defined her career, the track features her signature clear vocals and gentle guitar accompaniment, characteristic of her work from the 1960s and beyond. The song reflects the era's focus on spiritual themes and humanitarian concerns, a hallmark of Baez's repertoire alongside iconic tracks like 'Guantanamera' and 'Wings'. As a solo artist, she often presented such material in intimate settings, emphasizing the raw emotion and simplicity of the melody. This recording captures the essence of her contribution to American folk music, where personal storytelling intersects with broader cultural movements. The song remains a cherished example of her discography, showcasing her ability to convey deep sentiment through minimal instrumentation and her distinctive vocal tone.

