Please Forgive Us - 10,000 Maniacs

Written by：Robert Buck/Merchant Natalie/Peter Asher

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

Please forgive us

We don't know what was done

Please forgive us

We don't know what was done

In our name

There'll be more trials like this

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

Please forgive us

We don't know what was done

Please forgive us

We didn't know

Could you ever forgive us

I don't know

How you could

I know this is

No consolation

Please forgive us

We don't know what was done

Please forgive us

We don'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

Please forgive us

We didn't know

I wouldn't blame you

If you never could

Please forgive us

And you never will