Better Angels Of Our Nature

Susan Ashton



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He fell to his knees and he cried out for mercy

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Heart-felt confessionals to an angry mob

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But vengeance was theirs as they bellowed for justice

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"Death to the man who has sinned against God"

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I joined in the chant feeling so high and mighty

Pointing the finger from up on my throne

'Til I looked in his tears and I caught my reflection

And I knew that I could not cast the first stone



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Let the gavel fall slowly tho' truth's been revealed

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Sequester the jury for a moment to feel

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And in the courts of compassion I hope we can appeal

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To the better angels of our nature, to the better angels of our nature

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I walked along on my soft streets of plenty

She walked the alleys of anguish and need

While clutching my greed I was struck by a vision

But for the grace of God, that could be me



And we gather in chambers of lofty ideals

Still debating the giving when handed the bill

But in the congress of kindness I hope that we can yield

To the better angels of our nature, to the better angels of our nature



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Angels of mercy, angels of light

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Angels of darkness, angels of might

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Angels with voices that whisper so clear

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Who do I lean to, who do I hear?



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We are building our world with a fevered emotion

While trying to keep it from coming apart

But as we reach for the dream can we still reach within us

We won't have the hope if we don't have the heart



'Cause we've tossed in the gale of a moral decline

As we drink from the grail of society's wine

But at humanities table I hope we choose to dine

With the better angels of our nature, with the better angels of our nature







Words and music by Wayne Kirkpatrick

© 1992 Emily Boothe, Inc./Magic Beans Music (BMI)