[Verse 1:]

"Mercy, mercy," why didn't we hear it?

"Mercy, mercy," why did we read it

Buried on the last page of our morning papers?

The plan was drafted, drafted in secret

Gunboats met the red tide

Driven to the rum trade

For the army that they created

But the bullets were bought by us

It was dollars that paid them

[Chorus:]

Please forgive us

We don't know what was done

In our name

[Verse 2:]

There'll be more trials like this in mercenary heydays

When they're so apt to wrap themselves up

In the stripes and stars and find that they are able

To call themselves heroes

To justify murder

By their fighters for freedom

[Chorus:]

Please forgive us

We don't know what was done

Please forgive us, we didn't know

[Outro:]

Could you ever forgive us?

I don't know how you could

I know this is no consolation

Please forgive us

We didn't know

Could you ever believe that

We didn't know?

Please forgive us

We didn't know

I wouldn't blame you

If you never could