I had not expected to be writing another song about the death penalty,having written two on that subject already. But when I read May God Have Mercy, by Richard C. Tucker, I felt that I had to. In the cases described by my other two songs, R.A.H. and Oklahoma City, 4/19/95, it was at least likely that the persons in question had committed the crimes for which they were sentenced to die. In this case, however, it is almost certain that Roger Coleman did not commit the murder for which he was executed in 1992; and the book shows, in compelling detail, why innocence is no defense in our current legal system. I'd certainly recommend reading it, since this song is far too short to tell the whole story, and if your library doesn't have it, here is a great place to get it.
VERSE 1:
When the cops first found the body, thought they knew who'd done
the deed;
They set out to prove him guilty - paid his alibis no heed.
Bent the facts to fit their theory, convinced a jury of his
guilt;
Got their final victory when the judge told him he'd be
killed.
CHORUS:
We say, "May God have mercy on your soul --
But we don't care if you're innocent, we'll send you to death
row."
Now all the murderers are outside this chamber, and so:
May God have mercy on all of our souls.
VERSE 2:
She was just a year past law school, and crippled by disease,
But she saw that he was innocent, knew he had to be released.
Took his case to judges who'd send their mothers to be fried;
Saw a crucial witness murdered, no one caring how she'd
died.
CHORUS
BRIDGE:
Now though we knew he didn't do it, we'd followed all the rules;
So we strapped him down, wired him up, and turned on the
juice.
CHORUS
END:
May God have mercy on all of our souls.
Questions? Comments? Please send e-mail to jbearden@ieee.org
Material Copyright © 1998-2004 by Jim Bearden