[Verse] I sat beneath the wilting vine Its shade a fleeting jest The sun bore down The east wind whined No peace upon my chest "You knew it Lord You knew it true The mercy that you’d send To people who will rise one day To strike us in the end." [Chorus] Oh Why Oh why Must I be made the fool? To see the cruel forgiven By Your eternal rule Your ways are high Beyond my eye I’m just a broken man But mercy for the merciless—I just can’t understand [Verse 2] “You gave me words to carry Lord A burden I can’t bear To speak to those who’ll rise against the ones for whom I care I walked the road I gave the cry I warned them of Your hand And still I knew You’d turn from wrath and spare this wicked land.” [Chorus] Oh Why Oh why Must I be made the fool? To see the cruel forgiven By Your eternal rule Your ways are high Beyond my eye I’m just a broken man But mercy for the merciless—I just can’t understand [Bridge] Then the voice of God came low Like thunder in the rain “Do you weep for that which grows And not for those in pain? A thousand souls who cannot tell their left hand from their right Should I not love them too My son And lead them to the light?” [Verse 3] I hung my head I bit my tongue The vine withered away The weight of mercy crushed my pride I had no words to say For who am I to question Him Whose ways I cannot chart? A fool I’ll be If fool I am With mercy in my heart
