Have Mercy On the Criminal

Have you heard the dogs at night Somewhere on the hill Chasing some poor criminal And I guess they're out to kill Oh there must be shackles on his feet And mother in his eyes Stumbling through the devil-dark With the hound pack in full cry Have mercy on the criminal Who is running from the law Are you blind to the winds of change? Don't you hear him any more? Praying "Lord, you gotta help me I am never gonna sin again Just take these chains from around my legs Sweet 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 taking 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 running from the law Are you blind to the winds of change? Don't you hear him any more? Praying "Lord, you gotta help me I am never gonna sin again Just take these chains from around my legs Ooh, sweet Jesus, I'll be your friend" Oh, have mercy on the criminal Who is running from the law Are you blind to the winds of change? Don't you hear him any more? Praying "Lord, you gotta help me I am never gonna sin again Just take these chains from around my legs Sweet Jesus, I'll be your friend"