City of Mercy

City of Mercy
by Tom Chapin
© 1982 The Last Music Co. (ASCAP)

"Who are you?" you said in the night
It woke me right awake.
A question splashed into a room
Like a stone into a lake.
Half dead in this double bed,
I'm reaching for the light.
Had to turn it on and face you here tonight.

In the city of danger, down on your knees
In the city of strangers, please
In the city of silence, talk to me
In the city of mercy, please.

I hate these nights, these drag out fights
I hate what you make me do
Argue just to argue,
You hurt me and I hurt you.
Words said in this unmade bed
Spoken in a dream.
Is this the beginning or the end,
Or another in-between?

In the city of danger, down on your knees
In the city of strangers, please
In the city of silence, talk to me
In the city of mercy, please.

When I was a child alone in the dark
I used to hold my breath,
Now I'm a man alone with you
Afraid of emptiness, afraid of emptiness . . .

Who are you? Who am I?
Chasing happiness.
Who are you? Where we going to
Out here in the wilderness?
Tears shed in this weary bed
Like soft rain in the night;
Tomorrow is another day,
Let's turn off the light.
Tomorrow's just another day,
Let's turn off the light.

In the city of danger, down on your knees
In the city of strangers, please
In the city of silence, talk to me
In the city of mercy, please.

This song appears on Tom Chapin's In The City Of Mercy CD.

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