HAVE MERCY ON THE CRIMINAL

(Am)Have you heard the (Esus4)dogs at night(E)
(Am)Somewhere (C)on the (Dm)hill
(Dm7)Chasing some poor (Am)criminal
And I guess they're out to (Esus4)kill(E)
Oh there (Am)must be shackles (Esus4)on his feet(E)
And (Am)mother (C)in his (Dm)eyes `
(Dm7)Stumbling through the (Am)devil-dark
With the hound pack in full (Esus4)cry(E)

Have (F)mercy on the (G)criminal
Who is (Am)running from the law
Are you (F)blind to the (G)winds of change
Don't you (Am)hear him any more

Praying (Am)Lord you got to help me
(Dm)I am never gonna sin a(F)gain
Just (Am)take these (C)chains from a(D)round my legs
Sweet (F)Jesus I'll (E)be your (Am)friend(E)

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