Have mercy, I'm in a world of trouble now I'm being held by the State Patrol I am charged with traffic of the forbidden And I almost finished doing my parole Now, I'm on my way back down town Somebody help me, have mercy on my soul I go to court tomorrow

Oh, Lord have mercy on my wicked soul, Hey, black mama, what's the matter with you? Said it ain't satisfaction, don't care what I do, Hey, mama, what's the matter with you? Said it ain't satisfaction, baby, don't care what I do. You take a brown-skinned

Oh lord, have mercy on my soul For I have walked the sinful road Lord, have mercy on me, please So I'm gonna get down on my knees Beg forgiveness to help set me free Lord, have mercy on my soul That I'm down on my knees Jesus, I must confess

Many men, many, many, many, many men Wish death 'pon me Lord I don't cry no more Don't look to the sky no more Have mercy on me Have mercy on my soul Somewhere my heart turned cold Have mercy on many men Many, many, many, many men

Say goodbye to the ones that we love Say your prayer for the ones that we love Oh Lord have mercy on my soul For the sick and suffering The city of damage control Say hello to the cops on patrol Say goodbye to the ones we love Violence on the rise Like a