Songs for Sustainability 3

“Oh mercy mercy me
Oh things ain’t what they used to be
No no
Where did all the blue sky go?
Poison is the wind that blows
From the north, east, south, and sea
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh things ain’t what they used to be
No no
Oil wasted on the oceans and upon our seas
Fish full of mercury
Oh mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain’t what they used to be
No no
Radiation in the ground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Oh mercy mercy me
Oh things ain’t what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land?
How much more abuse from man can you stand?
My sweet Lord…My sweet Lord…My sweet Lord”

Gotta love Marvin Gaye. Thought of him at the mention of Motown here. Lyrics of his song Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology) from the album What’s going on. Maybe we should make that the first “Albums for Sustainability” and that’s from the early 70’s. Wonder what he would write today. Just found reference to a biography Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye by Michael Eric Dyson here. Might make a good read. Just after I finish the one on Laurens van der Post I’ve just picked up.