Have Mercy On The Criminal

Have you heard the dogs at night

Somewhere on the hill

Chasin' some poor criminal?

And I guess they’re out to kill

Oh, there must be shackles on his feet

And mother in his eyes

Stumblin' through the devil dark

With the hound pack in full cry

Have mercy on the criminal

Who is runnin' from the law

Are you blind to the winds of change?

Don’t you hear him any more?

Prayin' Lord, "You gotta help meI am never gonna sin againJust take these chains from around my legsSweet Jesus, I’ll be Your friend"

Now, have you ever seen the white teeth gleam

While you lie on a cold damp ground

You’re takin' in the face of a rifle butt

While the wardens hold you down

And you’ve never seen a friend in years

Oh, it turns your heart to stone

You jump the walls and the dogs run free

And the grave’s gonna be your home

Oh, have mercy on the criminal

Who is runnin' from the law

Are you blind to the winds of change?

Don’t you hear him any more?

Prayin' Lord, "You gotta help meI am never gonna sin againJust take these chains from around my legsOoh, sweet Jesus, I’ll be Your friend"

Oh, have mercy on the criminal

Who is runnin' from the law

Are you blind to the winds of change?

Don’t you hear him any more?

Prayin' Lord, "You gotta help meI am never gonna sin againJust take these chains from around my legsSweet Jesus, I’ll be Your friend"