FAWM: "The Mercy That’s Missing"

The Mercy That’s Missing

2025 by @jeffjweir

Liner Notes

On Feb 1, I read an opinion piece in the Washington Post by 85-year-old Colbert King, who won a Pulitzer Prize “for his against-the-grain columns that speak to people in power with ferocity and wisdom.” It was moving, touching, and maddening. I wrote down one of his lines, then another, then another. Then I wrote this song based on his lines. He is my co-author. Thank you Colbert. You are an inspiration to so many. If I want to release this song, I will definitely ask your permission as a collaborator, and feel privileged if you grant permission.

Lyrics

Bodies in the Potomac Families shattered Unexpectedly Politics has no place at that scene But he decided differently

Acknowledging no explanation But baselessly casting blame The lack of empathy was achingly evident He couldn’t wait to play his game

The mercy that’s missing What helps to see us through Convictions matter Behavior, too The mercy that’s missing A sense of right and wrong Compassion in the toughest of times Makes us strong

She gave a sermon bout grace Called for compassion for those in fear He called her nasty and bad You owe the king an apology

The mercy that’s missing What helps to see us through Convictions matter Behavior, too The mercy that’s missing A sense of right and wrong Compassion in the toughest of times Makes us strong

Cheap behavior and lack of class That’s a childish way to cover your weakness Leading is a privilege But your goddam ego is leading us to darkness

The mercy that’s missing What helps to see us through Convictions matter Behavior, too The mercy that’s missing A sense of right and wrong Compassion in the toughest of times Makes us strong

The mercy that’s missing What helps to see us through Convictions matter And Behavior, too The mercy that’s missing A sense of right and wrong Compassion in the toughest of times Makes us strong Makes us strong

Comments

@lcad 2025

Love the production on this, especially what that bass is sneakily doing in the background. Lots of passion in this lyric driving through in your strong vocals. A solid and invigorating political indictment, well done and great write building off the source material, I always find it harder to write when you have a deliberate message in mind than when you can wander, this is really well executed

@rogerhammond 2025

Yeah, that guy has a lot to answer for and no doubt there's more coming. You've managed to fit a lot of his main faults in ... compassion, empathy, differentiating right and wrong, ego, mercilessness... and the darkness. It's a passionate song. One from the heart. Can sense the frustration. I'm glad you put it out there.

@bractune 2025

Dang Jeff... you have real passion behind this one. I dig the mood of the music...it fits the lyrical message well. You made some really cool chord choices here. I appreciate the fact that you can write "political" songs in a way that everyone can get behind and relate to, without getting 'wonky'. That's not easy to do...I know I never could. Well played!