Listen to Mary Gauthier’s ‘Mercy Now’ from Yellowstone, the theme song for Trump’s America

NOTE: See my comment at the end of this article — updated 23rd October, 2023

American folk singer songwriter Mary Gauthier’s song ‘Mercy Now‘ was featured on Yellowstone this week — Season 1, Episode 9, “The Unravelling, Part 2“.

The song was played at the end of the episode as John and Beth stare at the mountains, and talk about the future.

Mary Gauthier’s ‘Mercy Now’  is the title track from her fourth studio album of the same name. Released in 2005, Mercy Now was her first release on a major record label.

When was Mary Gauthier’s ‘Mercy Now‘ released?

It ultimately gained attention from the BBC and AllMusic due to the storytelling element of her songs. Gauthier also plays acoustic guitar on the album.

The album was produced by Gurf Morlix, who also plays acoustic and electric guitar, bass, lap steel, and percussion, and provides backing vocals on the album.

Mercy Now‘ is notable for its gorgeous acoustic guitar, heart-wrenching violin and cowboy-style lyrics.

The song has received attention for its appearance in Yellowstone due to its feeling of starkness and grit. Both of which are emblematic of the TV show itself.

Interestingly too, her publisher at the time did not particularly care for the song, as Gauthier commented on after the song’s release:

I honestly didn’t even know if it was a good song or not after I finished it. I played it for my publisher and it was received with a yawn, and I think that threw me off. Once people started responding to it, I realized I might need a new publisher.

For me, however, Gauthier’s ‘Mercy Now‘ is the quintessential theme song for Trump’s America.

A song that symbolizes exactly what is going on in America under Trump.

With lyrics that illustrate the sheer evil of some American so-called ‘Christians’, Republican politicians and major corporations, and music with a melancholy timbre that embodies how powerless so many Americans feel.

“My church and my country could use a little mercy now
As they sink into a poisoned pit
That’s going to take forever to climb out
They carry the weight of the faithful
Who follow ‘em down
I love my church and country and they could use some mercy now

Every living thing could use a little mercy now
Only the hand of grace can end the race
Towards another mushroom cloud
People in power, well
They’ll do anything to keep their crown
I love life, and life itself could use some mercy now

Yea, we all could use a little mercy now”

Listen to Mary Gauthier’s ‘Mercy Now‘ in the video below. Now doesn’t that make you feel incredibly sorry for Americans in Trump’s America?

You can also listen to the track, along with Gauthier’s entire album — which is equally as superb — in the Spotify widget below that.

UPDATE NOTE: I had actually forgotten I had written this article, as it was over 5 years ago, until an influx of views on it over the last few days made me pay attention.

That is why I am updating the comment I made in it about “Trump’s America”, although I will leave the article as originally written, so you can see how someone’s political inclinations can change.

As, three years into Joe Biden’s America and after being a Democrat for more than three decades, not only am I now a staunch Republican (I have been for two years), but Trump supporters will be happy to know, if DeSantis isn’t the Republican nominee, I will be voting for Trump in 2024.

Because, when it comes to what we have endured under Biden — an open southern border with millions of illegal immigrants flooding in, criminals not being punished for crimes they commit thus a skyrocketing crime rate, the entire “woke” agenda that is destroying the roots of American society, the obviously dementia-ridden and corrupt “president” in the White House who seems to be bought and paid for by entities in China and Ukraine,”vaccine” mandates, and the now millions of Anti-Semites, most from the left-wing, protesting for the destruction of Israel on America’s streets — it is patently obvious Trump was the better president with much better policies, and America was in a better place when governed by him.

Yes, I made a mistake during the many years I supported the Democrats as so many of that party’s politicians became progressively far-left and progressively dangerous (although I did not and never would vote for Joe Biden).

Be assured, I will not be making that mistake again.

And now, politics over, go and listen to Mary Gauthier’s ‘Mercy Now’ — it is still a beautiful song, and one I have listened to many many times over the last five years.

 

About Michelle Topham

Brit-American journalist based in Austria, former radio DJ at 97X WOXY, and Founder/CEO of Leo Sigh. I've covered K-drama, K-pop, J-pop, anime, manga and music news for over a decade.