The Night Chicago Died

And he called his gang to war
And the sound of running feet
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
The night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a fight the people saw, yes indeed
'Bout a hundred cops are dead
Brother what a fight it really was, glory be

When the town of Chicago died

And I asked someone who said
I heard my mama cry

Brother what a night it really was
In the heat of a summer night
Brother what a night it really was
Had surrendered up or died
Back in the bad old days

When a man named Al Capone

And they talk about it still
In the land of the dollar bill
Tried to make that town his own
There was shouting in the street
The night Chicago died
Through the streets of the old east side
And he kissed my mama's face

Brother what a night the people saw

But the clock upon the wall

Back in the U S A
Brother what a fight the people saw, yes indeed
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
And he brushed her tears away
Brother what a fight it really was, glory be
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
And the sound of the battle rang
Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a night it really was
The night Chicago died

Brother what a fight the people saw, yes indeed
I heard my mama cry
Then the door burst open wide
The night Chicago died
With the forces of the law
'Til the last of the hoodlum gang
Then there was no sound at all

I heard my mama cry
I heard my mama cry

And my daddy stepped inside