My Lady of Mercy (song)

## Music Video

**"My Lady of Mercy"** is the third single by The Last Dinner Party from their debut album, *Prelude To Ecstasy*, released October 9, 2023 through Island Records. It will serve as the ninth track from the album.

> "A girl looking up at a painting of Joan of Arc for the first time and thinking that she looks so brave and so beautiful that she wants to kiss her. And maybe she also wants to kiss the girl who stands next to her in the school choir."
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## Background

The single has been part of the bands setlist since day one, they started to tease the release of the song by posting videos from their live shows on TikTok. Then on September 29, 2023 they posted a collage of photos to their socials asking fans what they think the new single could be, and in a discord server created by the band Georgia liked messages from fans who guessed My Lady of Mercy.

The single was announced October 3, 2023, with an edit posted to their instagram,  and a pre save link was put up where if you pre-saved it a preview of the song was shared.

Introducing the song at Green Man Festival on August 20, 2023, Abigail explained that it’s about going to catholic school. Speaking of the track in a press release, the band shared:

> "We are expanding the world of The Last Dinner Party to encompass a darker, heavier atmosphere. The lyrics explore the anguish of a teenage crush that can only be described through the bloody, carnal language of religious experience, as the soundworld takes cues from Nine Inch Nails, PJ Harvey and Roxy Music."
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The song is about having feelings for women as a woman and coming to terms with that growing up in a catholic family and school. Having simultaneous feelings of excitement and discovering yourself while also feeling a lot of shame, fear and guilt, Abigail wrote the song to free her from that part of her and exploring it through catholic imagery, using it instead of hiding from it.

## Lyrics

* Single
* 2022

Take me back to your swimming pool
You lovely little -
Foolish thinking I could have you
Naked in a trench coat

I’ll see you on Sunday
I wanna hear them sing

Teach me how to do as you do
Guide me show me how
And let me be your arrow
Baby make me bow

I’ll see you on Sunday
I wanna hear them sing

Oh rest your feet on me
My lady of mercy
Strike me
Pierce me
Straight through the heart

I want to take your picture
Picture me in bed
Under your crucifix
Under your long black hair

I’ll see you on Sunday
I wanna make them sing

Oh rest your feet on me
My lady of mercy
Strike me
Pierce me
Straight through the heart

Oh rest your feet on me
My lady of mercy
Strike me
Pierce me
Straight through the heart

Take me back to your swimming pool
You lovely little -
Foolish thinking I could have you
Naked in a trench coat

I’ll see you on Sunday
I wanna hear them sing

Take me back to your swimming pool
You lovely little -
Foolish thinking I could have you
Naked in a trench coat

I’ll see you on Sunday
I wanna hear them sing

Oh rest your feet on me
My lady of mercy
Strike me
Pierce me
Straight through the heart

I want to take your picture
Picture me in bed
Under your crucifix
Under your long black hair

I’ll see you on Sunday
I wanna make them sing

Oh rest your feet on me
My lady of mercy
Strike me
Pierce me
Straight through the heart

Oh rest your feet on me
My lady of mercy
Strike me
Pierce me
Straight through the heart

## Music Video

The music video was released alongside the single on October 9, 2023, it was directed by the band alongside Harv Frost and Dora Paphides and finds the band performing dramatically in monochrome tones.

### Behind The Scenes

* Credits
* Look 1

## Critical reception

Katie Goh of *The Guardian* thought My Lady of Mercy "is an ideal showcase for her [Abigail Morris] impressive vocal range which can descend from ethereal lilting into guttural belting, without being swallowed by Roberts shredding on her guitar solos." Robin Murray of *CLASH* called it a "sweeping return, melodically infectious while highlighting some deeper aspects – a song about femininity, queerness, and teenage angst, it pivots between the flamboyance of Roxy Music and the crushing weight of Nine Inch Nails."

## Cover

The cover was taken by Cal McIntyre and draws inspiration from *The Craft* and *The Vampire Lovers*.

## Videos

The Last Dinner Party - My Lady of Mercy (Later... with Jools Holland)The Last Dinner Party - My Lady of Mercy (Live) - DSCVR Artists To Watch 2024The Last Dinner Party open up the inaugural Rolling Stone UK Awards with an enthralling performanceThe Last Dinner Party - "My Lady Of Mercy" (Recorded Live for World Cafe)
## References

1. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/1151481698786213960/1151481699545403495/1157299175269093486
2. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cx8TtuZtDZ5/?igshid=MWZjMTM2ODFkZg==
3. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/1151481698786213960/1151481699545403495/1158807623030812753
4. ↑ https://youtu.be/85kdRkVc\_vs?si=mkiO9KsczbF\_mXtP
5. ↑ https://readdork.com/news/the-last-dinner-party-my-lady-of-mercy/
6. ↑ https://youtu.be/qfxpWruSVew?si=2hnsjetSRHxK\_pxz
7. ↑ https://amp.theguardian.com/music/2023/oct/10/the-last-dinner-party-review-hyped-baroque-pop-band-build-a-following
8. ↑ https://www.clashmusic.com/news/the-last-dinner-party-share-new-single-my-lady-of-mercy/
9. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CyL\_wC7MExQ/?igshid=MWZjMTM2ODFkZg==

## Navigation

"Burn Alive"
"**Caesar on a TV Screen**"
"The Feminine Urge"

"Beautiful Boy" "Gjuha"
"**Sinner**"

"Portrait of a Dead Girl"
"**Nothing Matters**"
"Mirror"