Just Mercy

In his narrative, Stevenson uses music—particularly Christian hymns—to show the raw inner feelings of his clients as well as himself. Several of the chapter titles are named after these Christian hymns, such as “The Old Rugged Cross” and “All God’s Children.” When Stevenson meets his first death row client as a lowly intern, he sees how terribly this man, Henry, is treated by the guards. Stevenson asks one guard to loose Henry’s handcuffs, which are obviously too tight. The guard refuses and snaps at Stevenson. As Henry is being led out, he begins to sing a hymn called “Higher Ground,” one that is well-known particularly within black churches. The lyrics, which speak of reaching new heights and ascending to a better plane—higher ground—are doubly important. First, Henry uses the hymn as a connecter between himself and Stevenson. He guesses, correctly, that Stevenson will know the song. And as a man condemned to die, he uses to lyrics to speak of his hope for mercy and peace in Heaven. Stevenson sees this song as a “precious gift” about “human potential, redemption, and hopefulness” (12). The first time he is with a client on the day of execution, a similar moment occurs. The client, Herbert, has said goodbye to family and to Stevenson. Stevenson, wanting to cry, begins to hum a hymn, instead—The Old Rugged Cross, a mournful hymn that Herbert had personally requested be played as he died. Herbert’s family members begin to hum along with Stevenson. This hymn is centered around Jesus’ cross—another state-sanctioned execution. The hymn represents all the mourners’ unbearable sadness. It represents all the things they cannot say.