Have Mercy On The Criminal

Have you heard the dogs at night
Somewhere on the hill
Chasin' some poor criminal?
And I guess theyre 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?
Dont you hear him any more?

Prayin' Lord, "You gotta help me
I am never gonna sin again
Just take these chains from around my legs
Sweet Jesus, Ill be Your friend"

Now, have you ever seen the white teeth gleam
While you lie on a cold damp ground
Youre takin' in the face of a rifle butt
While the wardens hold you down

And youve never seen a friend in years
Oh, it turns your heart to stone
You jump the walls and the dogs run free
And the graves gonna be your home

Oh, have mercy on the criminal
Who is runnin' from the law
Are you blind to the winds of change?
Dont you hear him any more?

Prayin' Lord, "You gotta help me
I am never gonna sin again
Just take these chains from around my legs
Ooh, sweet Jesus, Ill be Your friend"

Oh, have mercy on the criminal
Who is runnin' from the law
Are you blind to the winds of change?
Dont you hear him any more?

Prayin' Lord, "You gotta help me
I am never gonna sin again
Just take these chains from around my legs
Sweet Jesus, Ill be Your friend"