If The Fields Are Parched (Have Mercy)

by Chris Juby

Lyrics

If the fields are parched
and the trees are felled
will the rocks cry aloud on their own?
If the birds are starved
and the beasts are killed
will the bones in the dust lift a song?

Have mercy, Lord,
have mercy, Lord.
Forgive our broken ways.
Have mercy, Lord,
have mercy, Lord.
Renew the world you made

As the oceans rise
and the wells run dry
do we care if disaster is near?
If our children starve
will they cry to God?
will they curse us for closing our ears?

Still a day will come
when the Lord returns
and the earth will be perfect again
No more greed or war,
no more tooth and claw,
for the wolf and the lamb will be friends

Lyrics Chords

Chords

Recommended keys: Em

       Em         Am
If the fields are parched
        G         D
and the trees are felled
         C          D             Em
will the rocks cry aloud on their own?
       Em        Am
If the birds are starved
        G          D
and the beasts are killed
         C            D           Em
will the bones in the dust lift a song?

     Gsus4 G   D
Have mer - cy, Lord,
     Am A2  Em
have mercy, Lord.
C            Am     D
 Forgive our broken ways.
     Gsus4 G   D
Have mer - cy, Lord,
     Am A2  Em
have mercy, Lord.
C          Am        D
 Renew the world you made

       Em     Am
As the oceans rise
        G         D
and the wells run dry
      C         D         Em   
do we care if disaster is near?
       Em       Am
If our children starve
          G      D
will they cry to God?
          C            D           Em
will they curse us for closing our ears?
 
        Em       Am
Still a day will come
         G      D
when the Lord returns
        C             D        Em
and the earth will be perfect again
        Em       Am
No more greed or war,
        G         D
no more tooth and claw,
        C            D            Em
for the wolf and the lamb will be friends

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Featured On

Doxecology

by Resound Worship

Story

I wrote this for the Resound Worship Doxecology album. After a group writing session, I was wrestling with how to give voice to these unfamiliar themes, and how to reconcile the pessimism of some of the literature we were reading within the big picture of Christian hope. Leonard Cohen is probably my all-time favourite lyricist. I decided to imagine how he might write a song holding those tensions. Unusually for me, the whole song came out pretty much fully formed.

The lyrics still disturb and provoke me, even after singing them hundreds of times.

I love the version we recorded for Doxecology. Ryan Flanigan of Liturgical Folk sings lead vocals, with Geraldine Latty on BVs. The band is incredible as well.

Chris Juby