The Night Chicago Died

The night Chicago died
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night it really was

I heard her pray the night Chicago died
And they talk about it still
When a man named Al Capone
Brother what a fight it really was, glory be
And he kissed my mama's face
There was shouting in the street
The night Chicago died
Brother what a fight it really was, glory be
With the forces of the law
Then there was no sound at all
And he brushed her tears away

Then the door burst open wide
'Bout a hundred cops are dead

In the land of the dollar bill
The night Chicago died
Back in the U S A
I heard my mama cry
Brother what a night it really was

Tried to make that town his own
I heard my mama cry
Had surrendered up or died
When the town of Chicago died

I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a fight the people saw, yes indeed
I heard my mama cry
And my daddy stepped inside

I heard my mama cry

Brother what a fight the people saw, yes indeed
The night Chicago died

And the sound of the battle rang
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
And he called his gang to war

Through the streets of the old east side
Brother what a night the people saw
Back in the bad old days
Brother what a fight the people saw, yes indeed

And I asked someone who said
In the heat of a summer night
But the clock upon the wall
And the sound of running feet
Brother what a night it really was
Brother what a night the people saw
'Til the last of the hoodlum gang
Brother what a night the people saw