Have Mercy On The Criminal

[Verse 1] 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 [Chorus] 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 got to help me I am never going to sin again Just take these chains from around my legs Sweet Jesus I'll be your friend [Verse 2] 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 going to be your home [Chorus]