The Night Chicago Died

Brother what a fight it really was, glory be

I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
I heard my mama cry
Then the door burst open wide

When the town of Chicago died
I heard my mama cry
When a man named Al Capone
'Bout a hundred cops are dead
Brother what a fight the people saw, yes indeed
Back in the U S A
Brother what a night the people saw
The night Chicago died
And I asked someone who said
Brother what a night it really was
And he called his gang to war
There was shouting in the street
The night Chicago died

I heard my mama cry
And the sound of running feet
Brother what a fight the people saw, yes indeed
I heard her pray the night Chicago died

Had surrendered up or died

In the land of the dollar bill

And they talk about it still
And the sound of the battle rang

The night Chicago died
'Til the last of the hoodlum gang
And he brushed her tears away
Through the streets of the old east side
Brother what a night it really was
Then there was no sound at all
Brother what a night the people saw
But the clock upon the wall
The night Chicago died
Brother what a night it really was
With the forces of the law

Back in the bad old days
And he kissed my mama's face
And my daddy stepped inside

Brother what a fight it really was, glory be
Tried to make that town his own
Brother what a fight the people saw, yes indeed

I heard her pray the night Chicago died
I heard my mama cry
In the heat of a summer night