The Mercy Seat (Nick Cave)
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"The Mercy Seat" is a song written by Nick Cave (lyrics and music) and Mick Harvey (music), originally performed by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds on the 1988 Tender Prey album.
The song has become Cave's signature song, and he performs it at almost all his concerts.
The song tells the story of a man about to be executed by the electric chair. The "Mercy Seat" refers both to the throne of God in the heavens, which the man feels he will soon visit, and to the electric chair. The song is laden with allusions to Christianity; in the Old Testament, the mercy seat is the symbol of the throne of God over the Ark of the Covenant. The sentenced man claims that he is not afraid to die, and that he is innocent, that he told the truth, then wonders whether he told a lie.
Cave's vocals are delivered over a thick backing of guitars, organ, and strings. A later acoustic version was released on the album B-Sides & Rarities.
Country singer Johnny Cash covered the song on his 2000 album American III: Solitary Man. Cash's version features a somber piano accompaniment.
Stromkern also released a cover on the 1997 album Flicker Like a Candle.
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