A man takes all his money, saving for years
Gathers up his family, it's time to go
At the appointed hour, they meet a man with a truck
With fifty other pilgrims, they're driven down to the coast

Have mercy, mercy, mercy
Have mercy, have a heart

They sneak on board a freighter, money changes hands
But is the ship sea worthy for the journey to the Promised Land?
After three calm days at sea a storm begins to blow
Passengers and crew pray for their souls

Have mercy, mercy, mercy
Have mercy, have a heart

Who rips the gold and the diamonds from the, from the bosom of Africa?
Can you tell me?
Who works the mines in poverty for generations?
Who stamps the papers to let a pilgrim in?
Everybody wants a good life and for their children

Have mercy, mercy, mercy
Have mercy, have a heart

So when you meet a pilgrim at the corner grocery store
You know he's got a story, so anyhow keep an open door

Have mercy, mercy, mercy
Have mercy, have a heart
Have a heart
Have a heart

Copyright: BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Writer(s): Eric Bibb, Glen Scott