Johnny Cash - The Mercy Seat (music video)

(Fan-made) music video for Johnny Cash - The Mercy Seat.
Edited by me. Clips from Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), Each Dawn I Die (1939), Brute Force (1947), and I Want to Live! (1958)

[@One21Jiggawatts]

"Like all the songs he does, he made it his own. He's a great interpreter of songs - that's part of his genius. These are the things that can't be taken away from you."[7] He called it a personal highpoint: "'It doesn't matter what anyone says,' remarked Cave proudly. 'Johnny Cash recorded my song.'"

[@sajiky7935]

If I wrote music of any style I can't imagine anything that would make me more proud.

[@flohamster76]

word

[@johnand77171]

@@flohamster76 what a perfect response

[@dmg7111]

I'm a proud 'Aussie' & LUV Nick Cave. But have to concede that Mr Cash has taken ownership of this amazing lyric. Wholly unintentionally but has put his stamp on it nevertheless. I think any debt that Cash might have owed Cave was squared when Nick was invited to collaborate with Cash for a track on : American IV: The Man Comes Around. The tune was : I'm so lonesome I could cry .The great ol' Hank Williams classic. The story about it is fantastic!! "He did a version of [Cave's song] The Mercy Seat. I got a call from [Cash's producer] Rick Rubin that Johnny Cash wanted to record it and was that all right. That was pretty exciting. The version is so good. He just claims that song as he does with so many. There's no one who can touch him. I wrote and recorded that when I was fairly young, but he has a wealth of experience which he can bring. He can sing a line and give that line both heaven and hell. When Johnny first came down those stairs into the studio he looked really frail and sick, but once he started singing he was really brought back to life. It was an incredible thing to see. Then I was in Los Angeles at the beginning of this year and got another call from Rick Rubin saying Johnny Cash was recording and did I want to come and record with him. I said: "Of course." I had a couple of hours the next day before I had to leave. I chose a Hank Williams song - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. I got to the studio and was a bit early, and was waiting for Johnny Cash to arrive and wondering how I would be able to sing, to hold my own with this incredible voice. He arrived, and this man with such extraordinary generosity, such an immense spirit made me feel so much at ease. I suggested this song, and he said: "Hey yeah, Nick, I know that one. Let's do it." And the band started up and we just did it." To you Mr Mark Wright a HUGE 👍 to you for the awesome clip !!!!!!! Can easily picture gents both nodding & smiling at your contribution.

[@angryeyemote]

You paired Cash's cover with the Cagney footage **perfectly**. Great job for this sobering message of a song by one of our most hugely underrated songwriters. Bravo!

[@RobertJW]

You’re correct! The Mercy Seat is by a really underrated songwriter. It’s a shame that Nick Cave isn’t more well known.

@@RobertJW You took the words right out of my mouth, Robert!

[@Mrmikey0909]

@ he is also a brilliant performer who I have been lucky to see probably ten times. Highly recommended.

[@waxkopp]

Yes , I've seen this movie. It's called angels with dirty faces.(1938)James Cagney is the killer, Pat O'Brien the priest and the dead end kids. These dead end kids first admire Rocky, but at the end as you can see, They're disappointed. Sad, but a good movie.

[@philiphalpenny3783]

@@waxkopp Cagney's 1939 film 'Each Dawn I Die' features heavily in this video also...

[@perineumsunningguru1442]

So I fell in love with Nick Cave and The bad seeds when this song came out. But, Jonny brings out the songs lyrics and their beauty, like no one else can.

[@MisterWillow]

True, he rocks and swings and have this fat voice. But give Nick the credit for writing it.

[@xev2233]

Yes it's fantastic.After 30yrs of listening to Nick cave I fail to understand how you can even say he sang it with beauty. As it is about death row.AND ITS NICK'S SONG. Listen to Nick singing Wanted Man.Y cannot compare the two TOTALLY DIFFERENT STYLE

[@jonathonrose5141]

Yeah no. His cover of Hurt is far better than the original. This though doesn't compare to Nick.

[@flydriveexplore]

Love this. I recently heard Nick Cave talking about this cover and how he loved it. He said in his version, the man going to the chair is obviously guilty but Johnny Cash's version is from the perspective of an innocent man.

[@debutch7777]

I am expecting huge disagreement here but I think that this version is actually better than the original.

[@minktrappingpaddy]

Not even gonna argue with you. I think the original is better, but that's just my opinion. Cash was one of the greats, and who better to do a cover of any song.

[@condor2279]

Hell no, but both of them are great.

[@dmg7111]

Hard to argue, Mr Cash simply put that 'stamp' on it , as he could do & BOOM. Lemmy from Motorhead was another. Checkout his redo of Bowie's Heroes......... DAMN !!!!!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGGZqoSYadGVhs0

[@smily2208]

No

[@johnand77171]

@@smily2208 there’s no doubt Johnny brings his own flavour, but nicks is so haunting and convicting. Especially how he builds the intensity on the original.

[@patrickelliott-brennan8960]

Seriously good editing. Absolutely loved the video. Loved the song, of course, but you video is fantastic. Thank you for the effort.

[@Jairfons]

Nick Cave's song. What a song!

[@trashbagpoe476]

The original is amazing but cash makes it so much more chilling we miss you cash

[@Wubwubwu]

For some reason, this reminds me of l'étranger by Albert Camus.

[@erincampbell2812]

Yes mate. Made me think of Camus too!

[@BanjoLuke1]

Ha! A very accurate observation. Meursault could have written this song. Now that you have said it, I am hearing it from him. I imagine that Mr Cave is no stranger (ha ha ha) to the works of Camus.

[@kristinakolozova209]

You speak the trurh:). Finally. How I experience this song.

[@lowrider81hd]

Excellent video!!! Thank you! Very well done!

[@johnand77171]

Only Johnny could pull a cover of this of

[@JohnHondo11997]

+John and Angela Wilmot So true. He could cover anything somehow.

[@theweedusama]

+Robert Kerestes nine inch nails Hurt proved that lol I thought how cool would it be to have Johnny Cash cover I song I did! lol Nick Cave said that too xD

[@johnand77171]

So true

[@vitriolicAmaranth]

I bet Leonard Cohen could have. A lot of his early work bore a very similar style. For what it's worth, I'd also love to see what Michael Gira would do with it.

[@mongerscorner8231]

Rip Johnny

[@dazzelknight]

cash, cave and cagney .... brilliant song , brilliant film

[@M.E.plusminus]

This is one of very few cover versions that totally stand equal to the original. Chiilling and beautiful. Especially in combination with this wonderful footage.

[@mootheconqueror1965]

Johnny should have also covered, Into my arms.

[@Mattsretiring]

Cash had an uncanny ability to turn another's signature work into his own. Amazing.

[@Trundlecake]

Cash loves a good lyric and makes it his own

[@ADDIDASSSSSSSSSSSSSS]

Johnny Cash recorded amazing, brilliant music, even up until the end of his life. Thank you for posting and thank you to Johnny for enriching all our lives with his songs.

[@heatherashley5929]

The man was a talented genius may he rest in peace never 2B forgotten

[@elisadaygrey]

I LOVE Johnny Cash and I LOVE Nick Cave and I still remember the very first time I heard this song.... Masterful.

[@philiphalpenny9761]

Nick Cave v Johnny Cash v James Cagney. Uncanny, yet befitting juxtaposition.

[@laurilehtiaho9618]

I personally feel the visual actually takes away from the song in a strange way. The song evokes such strong images in and of itself, it feels like the visual representation locks it in place too much. In any case an awesome song.

[@julienabb4796]

my late son son matt tuned me onto this and nick cave....... i love this song by nick but also johnny cash versionis awesome too........ also, i love jimmy cagney and his movies.... he makes me soooooooooo proudto be an Irish american! RIP jimmy, johnny and especially my babyboy Matt Hargreaves he left me too soon at 23...........i dedicate this to you....

[@CashPresley32]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[@ngdukic]

Reading between the lines I'd guess sinister old smack was the culprit? I hope Nick Cave's "Slowly goes the night" gives you some solace that there are worse ways to die.

[@John-p9m2c]

julie nabb you ma’am have a great taste

[@southpakrules]

And a couple of years later, Nick said goodbye to his son also too soon...

[@Mrmikey0909]

@@southpakrules so sad.

[@rollinronin8125]

I liked Nick Caves original rendition. I think Johnnys experience and age and the arrangment sells it.

[@goodbar26]

What a beautiful video! Johnny Cash singing a Nick Cave classic, THIS IS PERFECT! No one could bring this tune to such perfection than the Man in Black!😉

[@cpkarkow663]

Apparently, whenever Cash covered a song, most of the original performers/writers of the piece would concede that the song was no longer theirs - when Johnny Cash does it, it is wholly and totally his. And I think this is true. May you rest in peace Mr. Cash.

[@hiptonymusic1794]

Why don't you go and look on the internet and show us where Nick Cave conceded that this song was no longer his and was wholly and totally owned by JK.

[@martinlymer9535]

Trent Reznor said it specifically about Hurt. It’s not a general thing.

[@mootheconqueror1965]

Nick Cave was thrilled that Johnny Cash covered one of his songs.

[@reuireuiop0]

Though Cash sure made this his own, his version is by no means "definitive" Cave feeling honored is justified, but Cave's still is thee version, unlike other songs Cash made famous, which hardly anyone outside the circles of original fans knew about. "Hurt", für example.

[@cpkarkow663]

@@hiptonymusic1794 From The Guardian, Fri 12 Sep 2003 21.08 EDT, Article by Nick Cave in which he writes, a propos to Cash's rendition of Mercy Seat: "The version is so good. He just claims that song as he does with so many." Ok so maybe not word for fuckin word but pretty goddamn close. perhaps y'all oughta go looking on the internets

[@OsvaldoR10]

SILENCE...

[@Altoonawiseman]

I Have walked the Sterile Halls of Hell, And Lived to Tell the Tale. What I can tell You, My Brothers, Is You Do not Want to Go There.

[@shsckjsbu9901]

Who came here because of Peaky Blinders like me ?

[@peteryouth]

Thank you to Rick Ruben

[@imrichkotrba900]

Nick Caves cover...thank you Johny...u both are the best

[@Galantski]

Great song...great cover...great video!

[@heathkelly7163]

Well done! This fits like a glove.

[@michelecrostsmitherdon3864]

powerful pictures. With the music it gives you goose bumps

[@richardmadden5794]

But I must add Nick Cave is a genius

[@nathank8053]

This is one of my favorite Johnny cash songs. Yeah yeah, it's a cover, and mad props to Nick Cave, but as usual, I heard Johnny's version first, or at least it's the version to make me stop in my tracks and listen. I have never seen this movie, but I am now determined to watch it. Whoever put this together did a wonderful job! It all fits perfectly. As far as I'm concerned, this is THE music video to Cash's version of this song. Thank you "fan" for making and sharing! and thanks Johnny, for everything.

[@rosafiammante5027]

Ever listened to Nick Cave's acoustic version? That really stops me from doing anything else.

[@andreaasnicar3297]

Forever,🌞👌💔

[@angelchavez458]

Maybe someday you will watch it the movie scenes and that song are from angels with dirty faces with James Cagney

[@glendenehall-xv9jv]

What is that movie. It's compelling.

[@nicolini4110]

Great cover from Nick Caves original

[@axeljusseit5924]

Great video-cut! Fits the song/story in a perfect way!

[@philiphalpenny3783]

True...i thought they would have shown a clip or two of Cash's San Quentin also...

[@OmenOfSteel]

It all began when they took me from my home And put me on Death Row A crime for which I'm totally innocent, you know I began to warm and chill To objects and their fields A ragged cup, a twisted mop The face of Jesus in my soup Those sinister dinner deals The meal trolley's wicked wheels A hooked bone rising from my food And all things either good or ungood And the mercy seat is waiting And I think my head is burning And in a way I'm yearning To be done with all this weighing of the truth An eye for an eye And a tooth for a tooth And, anyway, I told the truth And I'm not afraid to die. I hear stories from the chamber Christ was born into a manger And like some ragged stranger He died upon the cross Might I say it seems so fitting in its way He was a carpenter by trade Or at least that's what I'm told My killed hands tattooed E.V.I.L. across it's brother's fist That filthy five! They did nothing to challenge or resist In Heaven His throne is made of gold The ark of His Testament is stowed A throne from which I'm told All history does unfold. It's made of wood and wire And my body is on fire And God is never far away Into the mercy seat I climb My head is shaved, my head is wired And like a moth that tries To enter the bright eye I go shuffling out of life Just to hide in death awhile And, anyway, I never lied And the mercy seat is waiting And I think my head is burning And in a way I'm yearning To be done with all this weighing of the truth An eye for an eye And a tooth for a tooth And, anyway, I told the truth And I'm not afraid to die. And the mercy seat is burning And I think my head is glowing And in a way I'm hoping To be done with all this twistin' of the truth An eye for an eye And a tooth for a tooth And, anyway, there was no proof And I'm not afraid to die And the mercy seat is glowing And I think my head is smokin' And in a way I'm hoping To be done with all these looks of disbelief. A life for a life And a truth for a truth And I've got nothing left to lose And I'm not afraid to die And the mercy seat is smokin' And I think my head is melting And in a way that's helping To be done with all this twistin' of the truth An eye for an eye And a truth for a truth And, anyway, I told the truth But I'm afraid I told a lie.

[@grandmasterhashmixtapemast910]

Just finished watching "Angels with Dirty Faces"...

[@user-sr1kc6jj2b-p1q]

You've done an excellent job of making a very compelling, well edited video for this song. I couldn't stop watching!

[@rebeccaheth7063]

Caves, Cash, and Cagney. This is genius. Thank you.

[@sallyduros]

It is genius.

[@richardlara8666]

This song reminds me of the green mile

[@ferst.9026]

@dani cali the lie: he was afraid to die...

[@mrpensive7341]

GREAT VID

[@tomatoh12]

If you want nightmares, set it to 0.25x speed. 😂

[@philiphalpenny3783]

Was there ever a better title for a prison picture than the Cagney/ Raft flick 'Each Dawn I Die'?

[@anthonywhite2013]

awesome video

[@RodFriesen-s3t]

Wow! This was really powerful!! What's the original movie clips from?

[@Eliphas_Leary]

Great video, wonderful editing. Needs more views.

[@jfranks1295]

JC fan- sounds like an old man humming over an old favorite on the radio. Nick Cave wrote/performed to perfection

[@limor4746]

As much as it's good - Nick Cave is the best

[@barrymcdonald9868]

so powerful

[@CharleyMathguy]

There was no one that cash could not cover better than the original.

[@zaza_2209]

SO TRUE! I don't know for this one though, Cash makes this song absolutely his own, makes it something amazing and beautiful, but I still prefer the chaos and uncertainty in the original, but that's just my opinion. Johnny Cash is the king of covers!!!

[@James-c2g1k]

It’s good, but it’s kinda pointless covering this one Nick cave gives u the experience This is just a song…

[@satansalley6526]

Unbelievable.

[@thisisthecure]

beautiful work. thanks for sharing

[@Matur1n]

Very well edited video for this song

[@dougwoellner9216]

Not Mark Wright from Finley nsw?

[@frequentlycynical642]

Where the hell did these images and videos come from? Johnny Cash and Nick Cage. A philosophical marriage made in heaven. Someone's heaven. My heaven.

[@at9370]

'Cave'

[@frequentlycynical642]

@@at9370 Yeah, my bad. Into my cups, as they say.

[@kerryn6714]

Frequently Cynical I read it as “Cave”! I do agree with with you, Cash singing Caves song is a beautiful philosophical marriage. From what I read, Nick was as pleased as we are ✌️

[@frequentlycynical642]

@@kerryn6714 Nice! Thanks for that!

[@GWOAT]

Video uses clips from the movie 'Angels with dirty faces' starring James Cagney. Great movie, must see.

[@John-p9m2c]

This is amazing

[@mikeschmidt8256]

Wow. Great video. Stellar

[@anthonywhite2013]

Are we honorable echoes asking a master?

[@darrylbaser]

good work

[@douglaspeppermen9453]

Which Cagney film is this?

[@connylarsson2743]

What movie?

[@DjWavemaker]

Mark, this is amazing work. Thank you for making this.

[@John-p9m2c]

Perfect

[@alienaaliena5566]

.......great. ........

[@foxearth1]

Great cover of an awesome song, love them equally but Nick's voice and style on the original sounds like his character actually belongs in the Mercy Seat.... I'd love to think it's Nick playing the piano in JC's version..... Right now I listen often to this Perfect, beautiful cover by Nick and Johnny.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGLPk6qkmMipecU

[@spots35]

Bone chilling!

[@angusmcdowell7273]

Great video!! i love cash!! ;-)

[@davidgrahamscott]

Well made vid...loved it

[@GWOAT]

Rick Rubin from Def Jam Records saved Johnny Cash's career. He seen a sleeping giant and woke him up. Cash's live recordings in Johnny Depps 'Viper Club' are amazing to watch.

[@imrichkotrba900]

Nick Cave and Mick Harveys song...thank you...

[@janka248]

Well done. Video fits perfect!

[@mariaaldinacamposbarroso1189]

Álbuns de Nick cave and bad seeds

[@SlipperyQuim]

Janice

[@SlipperyQuim]

Janice

[@SlipperyQuim]

Carrie 🎉

[@SlipperyQuim]

In Valdosta

[@SlipperyQuim]

Pathways?

[@SlipperyQuim]

With Tori

[@ClassyBaxy]

when you lie to yourself so much and end up actually believing it. Just to realise last second its not true

[@LeviClark462]

Solid edits!

[@ahkedra]

They don't make such music and movies anymore. Sad. We lost something important. We gotta get it back!

[@kennydobbins9644]

There are still a few traditional style artists like Alan Jackson, George Strait, Randy Travis, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Rodney Crowell, Clint Black and Dwight Yoakam.

[@kennydobbins9644]

Yes Sir! Definitely not him.

[@sheilakirby5616]

OH MY GOD !!! JOHNNY CASH IS ABSOLUTE PROOF OF GOD SHOWING OFF !!! REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND !!! LONG LIVE THE HIGHWAYMEN !!!

[@paulprac]

Johnny Cash.... fuck, I 's have loved to hear him do more Nick Cave.

[@anthonywhite2013]

Shame about youtube u never know when someone passes. Still love the videos.

[@brianstones6234]

Wow Nick Cave did what few have ever done he out outlawed Johnny!!!

[@franguerrero6411]

Johnny for ever 🖕Amazing cover!

[@reemsuekar8112]

I’m done with an eye for an eye & a tooth for a tooth!

[@barrymcdonald9868]

you still kill in this ritual usa?

[@Rocky_n_Roll]

It all began when They took me from my home And put me on death row A crime for which I am totally innocent, you know I began to warm and chill To objects and their fields A ragged cup, a twisted mop The face of Jesus in my soup Those sinister dinner deals The meal trolley's wicked wheels A hooked bone rising from my food And all things either good or un-good And the mercy seat is waiting And I think my head is burning And in a way I'm yearning To be done with all this weighing of the truth An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth And anyway I told the truth and I'm not afraid to die I hear stories from the chamber Christ was born into a manger And like some ragged stranger He died upon the cross Might I say, it seems So fitting in its way He was a carpenter by trade Or at least that's what I'm told My kill-hand's tattooed 'E.V.I.L.' Across it's brother's fist That filthy five, they did nothing To challenge or resist In Heaven, His throne is made of gold The ark of His Testament is stowed A throne from which I'm told All history does unfold It's made of wood and wire And my body is on fire And God is never far away Into the mercy seat I climb My head is shaved, my head is wired And like a moth that tries to enter the bright eye I go shuffling out of life Just to hide in death awhile And anyway I never lied And the mercy seat is waiting And I think my head is burning And in a way I'm yearning To be done with all this weighing of the truth An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth and anyway I told the truth and I'm not afraid to die And the mercy seat is burning And I think my head is glowing And in a way I'm hoping To be done with all this twisting of the truth An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth And anyway there was no proof and I'm not afraid to die And the mercy seat is glowing And I think my head is smoking And in a way I'm hoping to be done With all these looks of disbelief A life for a life and a truth for a truth And I've got nothing left to lose And I'm not afraid to die And the mercy seat is smoking And I think my head is melting And in a way that's helping To be done with all this twisting of the truth An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth And anyway I told the truth but I'm afraid I told a lie

[@John-p9m2c]

What movie is this

[@numbersix1908]

The like he told was that he wasn't afraid to die

[@robertoferrabone9867]

I'm johnny cash

[@philobeddoe8342]

Johnny does an outstanding job here. 🤘

[@KarieThoma]

Well done +Mark Wright.

[@dragomilicic1089]

🔝🔝🔝

[@fredfat1606]

mesmeric

[@YuriIdrisov]

Another iconic Johny Cash song that was accidentally written by another guy...

[@electricshotzz2467]

Why he got arrested

[@moralesriveraomar233]

Murder, the song says it, as for the movie I've got no idea

[@gttdkt]

Peaky Blinders S4E2 brought me here.

[@marksnow5239]

same 11 months later

[@steviebkhall]

Death is often better than life in hell.Peace.

[@RobertJW]

steviebkhall The last chorus’s last line heavily implies that he IS afraid of death - “But I’m afraid I told a lie” in place of “And I’m not afraid to die”.

[@GWOAT]

Note - The Mercy Seat isn't the electric chair. Its the space between the 2 Angels on top of the Ark of the Covenant.

[@deegee3938]

I don't actually believe in ppl covering others work....it does work on occasion though like the legend of Johnny Cash. Some make everything great.

[@rmthull]

Been so many great versions of this song, Nick himself has covered it beautifully in his own right. I love this version by Johnny. But I just can’t pick my favorite version. Every version has its own lifeblood to it. An incredible song and perfect for Johnny as the original was for Nick.