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Dar Williams — Mercy of the Fallen
Album: The Beauty of the Rain
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2310









Released: 2003
Length: 4:05
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Oh my fair North Star,
I have held to you dearly,
I had asked you to steer me,
Till one cloud-scattered night,
I got lost and in my travels I met Leo the lion,
Met a king and met a giant, with their errant light,

There's the wind and the rain, and the mercy of the fallen,
Who say they have no claim to know what's right.
There's the weak and the strong and the beds that have no answer,
And that's where I may rest my head tonight.

I saw all the bright people,
In imposing flocks they landed,
And they got what they demanded,
And they scratched at the ground.

Then they flew, and the field grew as sweetly for the flightless,
Who had longing yet despite this,
They could hear every sound.

There's the wind and the rain,
And the mercy of the fallen,
Who say they have no claim to know what's right.
There's the weak and the strong and the beds that have no answer,
And that's where I may rest my head tonight.

If your sister or your brother were stumbling on their last mile,
In a self-inflicted exile,
You'd hope they'd meet a humble friend.

And I hope someday that the best of Falstaff's planners
Give me seven half-built manors,
Where half-dreams may dream without end.

There's the wind and the rain, and the mercy of the fallen,
Who say they have no claim to know what's right.
There's the weak and the strong and the many stars that guide us,
We have some of them inside us.
Comments (129)add comment
Nothing special.
This lady and this cut in particular deserve better than "7".  Very nicely arranged and performed.  Gave her an 8
 treehugger wrote:

I think it's her wife. 


No close relation. Dar"s been married to Michael Robinson since 2002. 
 brianbouton wrote:

Discovered this song for the first time on RP, and it's so wonderful. I wish I'd known about her 20 years ago.



It's now four days later, and I still love this song---if you were curious.
Discovered this song for the first time on RP, and it's so wonderful. I wish I'd known about her 20 years ago.
 hayduke2 wrote:


Took your advice.  Loved it.  Funny, sad and so today.  Meet you in the cafeteria?
 idiot_wind wrote:

i keep getting her confused with sam phillips

i need more post its




My life runs on post-its.
I love this song... until the electric guitar kicks in... then i have to block my ears for 20 seconds before sinking back into the joyously insistent vocals
i keep getting her confused with sam phillips

i need more post its
An amazing song. 
What a great song  writer. 
 kcatalina wrote:

Moved from 9 to 10. I just love her voice.


Just bumped her up to 10 too, i think i may have heard this on a tv show or 2
Moved from 9 to 10. I just love her voice.
  This was gorgeous from the first time I heard it.  Repeating oneself is okay when you mean it.   
Dar sets a high bar....
Always makes me Cry with Sorrow....and Joy!

Thanks for the Wake Up Call segue Bill and Rebecca! A Silent Moment into this...
 trademember wrote:
There is so much good music in the USA! I'm loving Radio Paradise.

The world/eclectic RP ain’t half bad either.
This one has me in tears this morning for so many reasons. 
Gingersocks wrote: 

Love this is she Lucindas sister? or her daughter?

 
treehugger wrote:

I think it's her wife. 


Not sure why you have that impression. From Dar Williams' Wikipedia:

On May 4, 2002, she married Michael Robinson, an old friend from college, though they are now divorced.[13] Their son, Stephen Gray Robinson, was born on April 24, 2004. In addition, they have an adopted daughter named Taya, who was born in Ethiopia.[14] She resides in the Hudson Valley region of New York.[13]

and from Lucinda Williams' Wikipedia:

During the 1980s, Williams was briefly married to Long Ryders drummer Greg Sowders. In September 2009 she married Tom Overby, an executive from Best Buy's music department, who is also her manager. The marriage ceremony was performed on stage at First Avenue by her father.[24]

Williams isn't exactly an uncommon name...
Wonderful, soulful artist. I saw her at Cat's Cradle around 1999, simply wonderful.
There is so much good music in the USA! I'm loving Radio Paradise.
This is one of my fave Dar albums. She played this song at a coffee shop in Royal Oak (suburb of Detroit) years ago. You know after hearing a song live gives you that experience every time you hear it played? Good stuff. 
 Cynaera wrote:
I still think her best song is "Alleluia:" 

Ron and Nancy got the house, but Sid and Nancy rule.
I died eight years ago - I'm still a legend at my high school
I stole a Chevy and I wrapped it round a tree
But that's OK cause no one's gonna make the next century
I'm up in heaven now they say I'm here to stay
Where the clouds are really puffy and the angels sing every day
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia,  . . .

The cafeteria's got everything it's gonna drive me mad
Cause it looks just like a big Hawaiian party that my mother had
It's like the worst Elvis film I've ever seen
Technicolor luau all on technicolor green
There's camping trips and donkey rides and singing round the fire
And they signed me up for surfing, but they can't get me in the choir
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia . . .

But there she was this morning getting fitted for her wings
Leather boots, magenta hair, and saying nasty things
I'd say she was an angel but it's stupid and it's obvious
I said you'll hate it here cause we're the only ones like us
It's crypto-fascist mania it's silicon deliria
Yeah, she said, you're right, but I like the cafeteria
. . . . . . . . . . . .

Hey God we're the bad kids we're so nasty mean and vile
God looks like a guidance counselor God's got that smile
God says, how could this be, that's really odd
I guess I'll have to check my records, silly me - you know, I'm only God

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The waves are perfect and the sun will always shine
But there's got to be more to death than surfing all the time
I know the signs of self-destruction so I try to stop each new kid
Don't be like me, forever young, forever stupid
Yeah, I found love here but I'll bet you'll find it there
Where they don't always make the same joke
Gee you make a heavenly pair


 
Lovely Cynaera! She's still teaching and inspiring  : )
Opening bars to her work with Cry, Cry, Cry and her solo albums are enough to make me cross the room to turn it up.
Lord, she is one fine, intelligent songwriter, blessed with such a lovely and distinctive voice. I have underappreciated her greatly for much too long. Gotta change that.
Long-time fan.
 LaurieinTucson wrote:
don't care for the forced breathiness

 
Laurie, I won't tell you what it does for me.
don't care for the forced breathiness
Sometimes i have no idea why i love a song. This is one of those times.

Maybe just the voice.
Lovely.
{#Jump}  Love this..
 Gingersocks wrote:
Love this is she Lucindas sister?.........or her daughter?........
 
I think it's her wife. 
Love this is she Lucindas sister?.........or her daughter?........
My husband was always secretly in love with Dar. Well, I guess it really wasn't a secret. {#Ask} {#Sunny}

{#Rolleyes}{#Naughty}{#Evil}
 jah_blessed wrote:


Have to agree with that. You can have too much of a good thing.
 
Yes, I'm with y'all on that. SIck of these types of songs....{#Yes}

I still think her best song is "Alleluia:" 

Ron and Nancy got the house, but Sid and Nancy rule.
I died eight years ago - I'm still a legend at my high school
I stole a Chevy and I wrapped it round a tree
But that's OK cause no one's gonna make the next century
I'm up in heaven now they say I'm here to stay
Where the clouds are really puffy and the angels sing every day
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia,  . . .

The cafeteria's got everything it's gonna drive me mad
Cause it looks just like a big Hawaiian party that my mother had
It's like the worst Elvis film I've ever seen
Technicolor luau all on technicolor green
There's camping trips and donkey rides and singing round the fire
And they signed me up for surfing, but they can't get me in the choir
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia . . .

But there she was this morning getting fitted for her wings
Leather boots, magenta hair, and saying nasty things
I'd say she was an angel but it's stupid and it's obvious
I said you'll hate it here cause we're the only ones like us
It's crypto-fascist mania it's silicon deliria
Yeah, she said, you're right, but I like the cafeteria
. . . . . . . . . . . .

Hey God we're the bad kids we're so nasty mean and vile
God looks like a guidance counselor God's got that smile
God says, how could this be, that's really odd
I guess I'll have to check my records, silly me - you know, I'm only God

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The waves are perfect and the sun will always shine
But there's got to be more to death than surfing all the time
I know the signs of self-destruction so I try to stop each new kid
Don't be like me, forever young, forever stupid
Yeah, I found love here but I'll bet you'll find it there
Where they don't always make the same joke
Gee you make a heavenly pair



 peter_james_bond wrote:
Come on all you lurkers, donate to Radio Paradise and join the party! You won't regret it, I didn't. {#Dance}
 

this is a great example of what my other PSA was about!

Multicolored florescent chords by ~BlackPeregrin
Gabe  ©2009-2010 ~BlackPeregrin

Dar Williams at a free concert in the park.


 folkalta wrote:
Recognize her voice immediately I O O O W W A. Thanks for playing it, I'm not familiar with this album.
 
I heard an interview with her where she pointed out that the vocal idea from Iowa was a warmup exercise that she always did.

I got a kick out of that.

 borderlessworld wrote:
nice tune ... but there's been too much of this type of music on RP lately. 
 
I love this song, in particular.  I perform my own version of it as part of my regular set.  I think it stands apart from whatever genre it's supposed to be in.  It's really hard to say what "type of music" you're bundling it with.  
 


I second the sentiment.  I knew about RP on and off for a while, then started really listening to it regularly earlier this year.  Finally decided to become a support this summer, and I think it's money well spent.  I love the exposure I get to new music and the commercial-freeity of it is just a bonus.  (Yeah, I just made that word up — youse got a problem wi dat?!?!?!) {#Tongue-out}


 
peter_james_bond wrote:
Come on all you lurkers, donate to Radio Paradise and join the party! You won't regret it, I didn't. {#Dance}
 


Come on all you lurkers, donate to Radio Paradise and join the party! You won't regret it, I didn't. {#Dance}
wow awesome song i give a 10
She's actually playing here in a couple of weeks, along with Joshua Radin, who I also really like. Should be a great show.
 MediaGrrl wrote:
while I agree that too much singer-songwriter stuff would become mind-numbing, a) that's the beauty of RP, Bill mixes it up, and b) to me, Dar's work is consistently good and always seems like someone handing you a hot cup of tea on a chilly day. I like the production on this track, very rich.
 
I'd never heard of Dar Williams before, but maybe that's because I'm this side of the Pond, but on this evidence she's a fine singer-songwriter, and as you say the production is really rich. Yet another new artist for my CD wishlist thanks to RP (though no thanks from my credit card account ;-)). 7 from the Nottingham jury.

Yay!  {#Heartkiss}  
God bless Dar Williams.
couldn't agree more! mediamarv wrote:
Another great sounding tune by one of my faves....she knows how to put words and melodies together that stay in your mind. This is good song for a day like today, after Thanksgiving, still full of turkey, overcast day, perfect for reflection. now if I can just get the fire going... M
Recognize her voice immediately I O O O W W A. Thanks for playing it, I'm not familiar with this album.
I count Dar Williams among the finer songwriters working today. Her lyrics are usually intelligent, and her melodies catchy.
davin wrote:
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO US!?!? IT'S FRIDAY EVENING - COME ON REV US UP!!
dar nit
buddy213 wrote:
huh?
Rachael Yamagata reference. This sounds a whole whole lot like a better tune of hers called "Worn Me Down" from her killer debut album called "Happenstance." It's one of the best I've bought this decade.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO US!?!? IT'S FRIDAY EVENING - COME ON REV US UP!!
MediaGrrl wrote:
while I agree that too much singer-songwriter stuff would become mind-numbing, a) that's the beauty of RP, Bill mixes it up, and b) to me, Dar's work is consistently good and always seems like someone handing you a hot cup of tea on a chilly day. I like the production on this track, very rich.
At least someone plays these women. You sure don't hear it on mainstream radio. And, where are any women in the Lollapalooza lineup?!?
while I agree that too much singer-songwriter stuff would become mind-numbing, a) that's the beauty of RP, Bill mixes it up, and b) to me, Dar's work is consistently good and always seems like someone handing you a hot cup of tea on a chilly day. I like the production on this track, very rich.
borderlessworld wrote:
nice tune ... but there's been too much of this type of music on RP lately. the more you hear these female singer-songwriter songs, the more you overhear the really good ones ... and this is not one of them.
Have to agree with that. You can have too much of a good thing.
nice tune ... but there's been too much of this type of music on RP lately. the more you hear these female singer-songwriter songs, the more you overhear the really good ones ... and this is not one of them. rate it a 6. nice, but that's it.
SaintAwesome wrote:
No thanks.
Agreed... pretty bland stuff. I am not going to rate it yet just in case.
No thanks.
Seriously. One of Dar's *best songs* of, what I think is a highly underrated album. Keep the Dar coming Bill! :)">
mrselfdestruct wrote:
I still think this song is great. Keep it somewhere in the rotation as it's always a welcomed listen.
It's growing on me. Just bumped it from a 6 to a 7. That little electronica gurgle at the beginning hooked me this time.
cbonai wrote:
It is okay.
Okay it is.
Ooo... a geography/navigation set. Nice.
huh? trekhead wrote:
"...'cause you cant stop thinking about her..." Nice. 8.
It is okay.
Hate it.
Love it!:sunny.gif:
Guess I am a sucker for mandolins too. A 9 it is!
Horray. Merci for the Mercy!
"...'cause you cant stop thinking about her..." Nice. 8.
I still think this song is great. Keep it somewhere in the rotation as it's always a welcomed listen.
w00t. more folk singers I associate with New England in the 90s! :-)
From her website: "Join The DARmy!" I'm already a member of the Kiss Army & the Metal Militia. I don't want to get in trouble.
pergamenta wrote:
Always happy to hear Dar! Good choice--I think this is the best track from an otherwise mediocre album.
Yeah, I agree. Though I find every album of hers that I've heard kind of uneven.
One extra point for Falstaff reference.
It is stuff like this that makes RP so bloody good. Without RP I would have gone through my life not knowing that this fantastic song even existsed. And I would be the worst for it. Thanks Bill. <-o<
Always happy to hear Dar! Good choice--I think this is the best track from an otherwise mediocre album.
I'd never heard, or even heard of Dar before RP....but i LIKE Dar, veddy, veddy much :nodhead:
veegez wrote:
I think the point was, it's a bit of a changeup. Not everything has to be a brainy Talking Heads song. Variety rules.
Put that way, I agree. (Though I do think this is a pretty thoughtful, and thus thought-provoking, song.) Guess I just can't help myself. :-s
Another great sounding tune by one of my faves....she knows how to put words and melodies together that stay in your mind. This is good song for a day like today, after Thanksgiving, still full of turkey, overcast day, perfect for reflection. now if I can just get the fire going... M
Excellent selection. If you like Dar solo, check out her work with Lucy Kaplansky and Richard Shindell as Cry Cry Cry. Simple songs, great stories.
More Dar! I love her!
rgj13 wrote:
Don't we already have enough outlets for not thinking? I think we do, and for me, thinking hardly interferes with the pleasure I take in listening to a song; if anything, it enhances it.
I think the point was, it's a bit of a changeup. Not everything has to be a brainy Talking Heads song. Variety rules.
rfowler wrote:
I think people think to hard about music sometimes...... this is simple, relaxed music weaving a wonderful story.......it is stimulating traveling / driving music..........
Don't we already have enough outlets for not thinking? I think we do, and for me, thinking hardly interferes with the pleasure I take in listening to a song; if anything, it enhances it.
rfowler wrote:
I think people think to hard about music sometimes...... this is simple, relaxed music weaving a wonderful story.......it is stimulating traveling / driving music..........
Thank you! Well said and I agree 100%
Joyfulchristine wrote:
With respect, I couldn't disagree more. Though there are definite areas of moral ambiguity, an agnostic response (though perhaps genuine) should only be temporary. What is right should be sought after and found. I agree that there are areas where what is right for me is different from what is right for you, but to say that morality is always subjective is to deny any commonality between humankind. Objective morality is how we arrive at our code of law, and certain laws have been common among the world's cultures throughout history; for instance, the evils of rape, incest, murder, thievery, lies and the good of generosity, love of family, truth and justice.
Let me be clear that I do not mean to bash Islam or even any particular expression that some Muslim societies have given to the religion itself, but: there are some "Islamic states" (or so they would call themselves) in which a woman who has been raped can be killed by her own family, for having brought dishonor upon them and their name. Kind of gives the lie to some of your examples of universal morality, doesn't it? Still like the song, and agree with kbm that the lines under discussion are not an abdication of moral responsibility but a recognition of the feelings such responsibility can sometimes incite.
I think people think to hard about music sometimes...... this is simple, relaxed music weaving a wonderful story.......it is stimulating traveling / driving music..........
MTravellerH wrote:
Errm absolutely :P
couldn't have said it better.
eric wrote:
Errm absolutely :P
Originally Posted by Joyfulchristine: With respect, I couldn't disagree more. Though there are definite areas of moral ambiguity, an agnostic response (though perhaps genuine) should only be temporary. What is right should be sought after and found.
'should', that's a tricky word. :) Absolutely, persuing 'what is right' is a worthy effort, but to say that it 'should be found' is making the assumption that it can be found. That simply is not a safe assumption to make in many situations. The song presents, to me at least, that letting go of that assumption is a very difficult, relieving and spiritual thing to do.
I agree that there are areas where what is right for me is different from what is right for you, but to say that morality is always subjective is to deny any commonality between humankind. Objective morality is how we arrive at our code of law, and certain laws have been common among the world's cultures throughout history; for instance, the evils of rape, incest, murder, thievery, lies and the good of generosity, love of family, truth and justice.
Be very carefull here. Our laws are not based on objective morality, they are based on a common agreement on what are ultimately subjective decisions. Many are things that very few, if any, would argue against. And this is indeed a commonality between humankind. It is very important to make this distinction, because to confuse that which is objective with commonly held subjective decisions, is to invite the subjugation of one's morality on others. And that as history has shown, often leads to some very unpleasant behavior. (Thanks for having this discussion, I think it is facinating and very important.)
Originally Posted by ksb: Don't we all have times where "the right" thing to do is not at all clear? Like when you thought you knew what the moral thing to do was, but then when faced with it, you realize it isn't clear in the least? Or some tragic event causes you to re-evaluate yourself and beliefs? Perhaps being agnostic is the only honest response to have? Sounds to me like she's touching on these thoughts by talking about finding rest from the pain of moral ambiguity in honestly admiting ambivalence. A thought worthy of music, IMHO. While these are ideas far from total moral ambiguity, morality is subjective, so one can never completely know what is right for anyone else, and certianly not everyone. This is why attempts to dictate morality always fail.
With respect, I couldn't disagree more. Though there are definite areas of moral ambiguity, an agnostic response (though perhaps genuine) should only be temporary. What is right should be sought after and found. I agree that there are areas where what is right for me is different from what is right for you, but to say that morality is always subjective is to deny any commonality between humankind. Objective morality is how we arrive at our code of law, and certain laws have been common among the world's cultures throughout history; for instance, the evils of rape, incest, murder, thievery, lies and the good of generosity, love of family, truth and justice.
Originally Posted by tg3k: Dang, and here I was planning to get eric the new Dar Williams CD for his birthday. Ah well, I'm sure he'll love the Tori Amos CD I got instead.
Even better would be the Indigo Girls
Originally Posted by Patti_M.: eric: Enough already!! We get the "picture"! You do not like this song...OK. Patti M. 8^
Twice a day again! Must... be... strong. Must... not... Arghhhhh!
Ugh.
Originally Posted by Pipes:
Dang, and here I was planning to get eric the new Dar Williams CD for his birthday. Ah well, I'm sure he'll love the Tori Amos CD I got instead.
Originally Posted by eric:
Originally Posted by rgj13: Yaaaaaaaaay! Now it's twice a day! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
wow - nice pattern
Originally Posted by Joyfulchristine: I abhor the notion that there are people who "have no claim to know what's right", and say, "it's not my place to know what's right." It is not okay to confuse tolerance of others' differences with total moral ambiguity. I realize that's not the overall message of the song, with those other dreamy lyrics included, but I'm not okay with those lines. Not at all.
Try to be more Joyful!
Originally Posted by Joyfulchristine: I abhor the notion that there are people who "have no claim to know what's right", and say, "it's not my place to know what's right." It is not okay to confuse tolerance of others' differences with total moral ambiguity. I realize that's not the overall message of the song, with those other dreamy lyrics included, but I'm not okay with those lines. Not at all.
Don't we all have times where "the right" thing to do is not at all clear? Like when you thought you knew what the moral thing to do was, but then when faced with it, you realize it isn't clear in the least? Or some tragic event causes you to re-evaluate yourself and beliefs? Perhaps being agnostic is the only honest response to have? Sounds to me like she's touching on these thoughts by talking about finding rest from the pain of moral ambiguity in honestly admiting ambivalence. A thought worthy of music, IMHO. While these are ideas far from total moral ambiguity, morality is subjective, so one can never completely know what is right for anyone else, and certianly not everyone. This is why attempts to dictate morality always fail.
It\'s a nice song. I like it. Although, I\'m not able to muster up any kind of agitation one way or the other over this song........like some others. ;)
I abhor the notion that there are people who \"have no claim to know what\'s right\", and say, \"it\'s not my place to know what\'s right.\" It is not okay to confuse tolerance of others\' differences with total moral ambiguity. I realize that\'s not the overall message of the song, with those other dreamy lyrics included, but I\'m not okay with those lines. Not at all.
My gosh in dresden, that was some dullness. My heart goes out to You Who Thought It Even Slightly Less Than Crap. And yes, i volunteer my tiny head against the wall instead of the Icons, it\'s that far into inanity.
Originally Posted by audiozeb: The thing I don't get about this level of passionate negativity is... that's YOUR head getting bashed, dude!
Uh, you seem to be confused, dude. MY head is not getting bashed; those are just little animated icons used to symbolize frustration. Dude.
nice, but pretty generic :roll:
Originally Posted by eric: Ok, Bill, now you're doing on purpose, right?
The thing I don't get about this level of passionate negativity is... that's YOUR head getting bashed, dude!
I have always liked Dar... this has more energy than other things I've heard, and I like it. She handles it well! Good choice.
Originally Posted by mperry: She really puts on a nice show, too. Connects well with the audience.
I agree--have seen her twice, thankfully in good, smallish venues. She has a relaxed and intimate presence on stage that's really compelling, and seems like she's having a lot of fun in an unstaged way. Okay, have to go to pollstar now and see when I can see her again. :D
Originally Posted by rgj13: Such a lovely, heartful singer (and sometimes a witty lyricist, to boot!). For those who don't know, her parents are the folks behind Gray's Anatomy, I believe. Great cut, Bill--thx, as always! :D
She really puts on a nice show, too. Connects well with the audience.
The drummer in her band, Steve Holley, would be surprised to learn he\'s a drum machine, I\'m quite sure.
This is so totally bad (love the drum machine) that it just makes me want to laugh and barf at the same time..... except then i\'d surely get barf in my nose and a to the so-called artist producing this airway pollution
Ok, Bill, now you\'re doing on purpose, right?
Originally Posted by eric: Arghhhhhhhhhhh! Now it's twice a day!
Yaaaaaaaaay! Now it's twice a day! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Arghhhhhhhhhhh! Now it\'s twice a day!
Ok, even though I think Dar sucks ass, I can accept that some people like her. Do we really need to hear this every freakin\' day though, Bill?
i love this song!