Dead Man Walking

Music

Michelle Shocked - Quality of Mercy

All you hypocrites and liars
In the temple seeking gain
All you senators and lawyers
With your motives to explain
All you victims and you heroes
Your petitions to complain
All you murderers and martyrs
On the fields where you lay slain
On the just and unjust
Alike it doth rain
And the quality of mercy is not strained

Yes vengeance and revenge
Are just two words for pain
And the quality of mercy is not strained

Did not I crucify my Lord?
Did not I bind Him in chains?
Did not I three times betray Him?
Three times deny His name?
Did not I cast the first stone?
Then justify the blame?
Did not He die for my sins
But never would I do the same?

Oh I've been three times a sinner
And two times a saint
And the quality of mercy is not strained

Yes for Love if it's Love
Is changing but unchanged
And the quality of mercy is not strained

Hypocrites and liars
Senators and lawyers
Victims and heroes
Murderers and martyrs
Crucify my Lord
Bind Him in chains
Three times betray Him
Justify the blame
On the just and unjust
Alike it doth rain
And the quality of mercy is not strained