Mercy Bark

(album: Songs I Swore I'd Never Sing - 2022)

The most important shot you'll ever take is the one you never want
The reaper came a week too late for my only son
My boy, we were running free till February come
Now you can't walk or breathe and you're begging for the gun

Being a man is giving dignity and grace
Even when you're killing a love you can't replace
Oh, copper dog of all that's sacred we erase
You will be the part of me that I forever chase

That old dog was the stoic prince of all he smelled or seen
How I grinned from ear to ear saying he belonged to me
Now how the hand of time grips him like a thief
All my pride took a ride into eternity

Being a man is giving dignity and grace
Even when you're killing a love you can't replace
Oh, copper dog of all that's sacred we erase
You will be the part of me that I forever chase

And oh, how the mothers speak
Of strangers taking burdens that are hard
But I have no choice, you see
For I am he and he is me
And I will follow him into the dark
With all my heart
A mercy bark

Being a man is giving dignity and grace
Even when you're killing a love you can't replace
Oh, copper dog of all that's sacred we erase
You will be the part of me that I forever chase