If Empathy's a Sin

2 weeks ago by @daveescoffery

Liner Notes

I had written lyrics yesterday (to the song "Ownin' the Libs," which I just uploaded), so I planned just to work on that one today. Then, of course, this idea intruded and wormed its way into my brain. And the lyrics came pretty quickly. So after getting a one-take demo of the Libs song, I quickly put something together for this one, too. Why not? These are just demos, after all!

This one was obviously inspired by the pastor who condemned Bishop Mariann Budde after she dared to suggest that the President of the United States should look with mercy on people who are less fortunate. Suddenly it was critical to make empathy into some kind of egregious sin. Seriously?!

#protest #fuc #acousticonetake

Lyrics

Verse 1
If someone tells you to show mercy, and you say that they're weak,
You look like a villain from a comic book.
It is so over-the-top that it leaves me without words,
For you to call caring a sin that you can't overlook.
There is just no way to justify
Such an utterly ridiculous reply.

Chorus
If empathy's a sin, then let me burn, burn, burn.
If kindness leads to hell, my soul will yearn, yearn, yearn
For relief,
But it's my belief
That I won't feel that grief.

Verse 2
Has your thirst for power left you so utterly depraved
That you can make a claim like that with a straight face?
Do you really think the God you claim so loudly that you serve
Doesn't see those words as the ultimate disgrace?
There is just no way to justify
Abandoning truth in favor of a lie.

Chorus
If empathy's a sin, then let me burn, burn, burn.
If kindness leads to hell, my soul will yearn, yearn, yearn
For relief,
But it's my belief
That I won't feel that grief.

Verse 3
If empathy IS a sin, then I just can't anymore.
You may as well try to tell me sweet is sour.
I can't believe you care about people, or truth, or love, or peace.
You just want all of the wealth and power.
There is just no way to justify
Such depravity in service of a lie.

Chorus
If empathy's a sin, then let me burn, burn, burn.
If kindness leads to hell, my soul will yearn, yearn, yearn
For relief,
But it's my belief
That I won't feel that grief.

Bridge
Empathy is not a sin.
I shouldn't even have to say such things.
It's as obvious as birds have wings.
Empathy is not a sin.
Compassion is not a crime,
Not once, not any time.
It's as simple as the clearest rhyme.
Compassion is not a crime.
Mercy's not an unforgiveable offense.
That doesn't even make any sense.
The biggest fool has never been that dense.
Mercy's not an unforgiveable offense.

Chorus
If empathy's a sin, then let me burn, burn, burn.
If kindness leads to hell, my soul will yearn, yearn, yearn
For relief,
But it's my belief
That I won't feel that grief...
Cuz, you know, I'm actually a decent human being.

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