[Intro]
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[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 ain t ever gonna 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 gonna be your home
[Chorus] (x2)
Ooh, 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 ain t ever gonna sin again
Just take these chains from around my legs
Sweet Jesus I ll be your friend