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about

The first verse is written from the perspective of Shannon's paternal grandmother who died of heart failure when she was 24 years old in front of her two sons James (4) and Bryan (2). The second verse is written from the perspective of Shannon's father, who died from a brain tumor when he was 42 years old. We could all use a little mercy and grace in this life.

lyrics

Mercy
Before I died too young
My heart was aching
For all the women
My knees were shaking
Before they buckled
I was starving
Trying to lose that baby weight
Oh come here darlin

Before I was a mother
I was just a girl
Just doing my figuring
Figuring how to fit into this swirl
That was not the way
To stay forever young
But that is what they taught me
Now the damage it is done

I could use some mercy on my soul tonight
Gotta leave these children
Gotta leave them both behind
By the grace, oh by the grace
I am listening
You are not alone
Can you hear me singing?

Before I died too young
My fists were swinging
So angry and undone
My wounds were stinging
Before I got em
I knew how to cry,
I knew how to love
I didn’t want to die young
Before I was a father
I was just a boy a boy who loved his mother
A boy who loved the world

I wanted to stay, to stay forever young
Was never meant to happen
Now the damage it is done

I could use some mercy on my soul tonight
Gotta leave these children
Gotta leave them all behind
By the grace, oh by the grace
I am listening
You are not alone
Can you hear me singing

Remember who you are
You’re more than your scars
Remember who you are
Before you die to
And stay forever young

I could use some mercy on my soul tonight
I could use some mercy tonight
Gotta leave them all behind
By the grace, oh by the grace
I am listening
You are not alone
Can you hear me singing

credits

from STARTHROWERS, released March 24, 2023
Written by Shannon Hawley
Mixed and Produced by NekterGun

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Shannon Hawley New Jersey

Shannon Hawley is a singer-songwriter and healer.

Her album STARTHROWERS is a memoir in song paying homage to women and caretakers doing the invisible, often overlooked work of love. With a clear voice and deep New Jersey roots, Shannon alternates between the anthemic and the understated, across themes of grief and praise, our relationships to our history, the natural world, and to each other. ... more

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