Music Video

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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Michelle Shocked
Michelle Shocked
Vocals
Harold Johnson Singers
Harold Johnson Singers
Background Vocals
Wah Wah Watson
Wah Wah Watson
Guitar
Freddie Washington
Freddie Washington
Bass Guitar
James Gadson
James Gadson
Drums
Harold Johnson
Harold Johnson
Background Vocals
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Michelle Shocked
Michelle Shocked
Composer
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
David Rubinson
David Rubinson
Producer
Steve Genewich
Steve Genewich
Assistant Engineer
Leslie Ann Jones
Leslie Ann Jones
Recording Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Are you hypocrites and liars?
In the temple seeking gain
All you senators and lawyers
With your motives to explain
[Verse 2]
All your victims and you heroes
Your petitions to complain
All you murderers and martyrs
On the fields where you lay slain
[Verse 3]
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
[Verse 4]
Did not I crucify my Lord?
Did not I bind him in chain?
Did not I three times betray him?
Three times deny his name
[Verse 5]
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
[Verse 6]
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
[Verse 7]
Hypocrites and liars
The quality of mercy is not strained
Senators and lawyers
The quality of mercy is not strained
[Verse 8]
Victims and heroes
The quality of mercy is not strained
Murderers and martyrs
The quality of mercy is not strained
[Verse 9]
Crucify my Lord
The quality of mercy is not strained
Bind him in chains
The quality of mercy is not strained
[Verse 10]
Three times betray him
The quality of mercy is not strained
Justify the blame
The quality of mercy is not strained
[Verse 11]
On the just and unjust, alike it doth rain
And the quality of mercy is not strained
Written by: Michelle Shocked
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