Black Day in July

And you wonder just in passing is it him or is it me?

Black day in July, black day in July
In the mansion of the Governor there's nothing that is known for sure

Of the sons of the fathers who were carried to this land
And you read your morning paper and you sip your cup of tea
As the book of law and order is taken in the hands

Black day in July, black day in July
Motor city's burning and the flames are running wild
Black day in July, black day in July
Motor city madness has touched the countryside

Black day in July, black day in July
But the hands of the have-nots keep falling out of reach
Black day in July, black day in July

There is no time to hesitate, the speech is made, the dues can wait
The doors are quickly bolted and the children locked inside

The telephone is ringing and the pendulum is swinging
Black day in July
Upon the filthy pavement no reason can be found

Black day in July, black day in July
And the body of a dead youth lies stretched upon the ground

And there's gunfire from the rooftops and the blood begins to spill
Motor city madness has touched the countryside
The streets of motor city now are quiet and serene
And you say, "How did it happen" And you say, "How did it start?

Black day in July, black day in July
And then the tanks go rolling in to patch things up as best they can
Motor city madness has touched the countryside
Black day in July
The doors are quickly bolted and the children locked inside

And the people rise in anger and the streets begin to fill

In the streets of motor city there's a deadly silent sound
And it wasn't just the temperature and it wasn't just the season
The printing press is turning and the news is quickly flashed
Why can't we all be brothers why can't we live in peace?"
And the soul of motor city is bared across the land

And they wonder how it happened and they really know the reason
And through the smoke and cinders you can hear it far and wide

And through the smoke and cinders you can hear it far and wide
But the shapes of gutted buildings strike terror to the heart

They reflect upon the waters of the river and the lake

There's really not much choice you see, it looks to us like anarchy

And everyone is listening and everyone's awake
In the office of the President the deed is done the troops are sent