The Night Chicago Died

I heard her pray the night Chicago died
I heard my mama cry
Through the streets of the old east side
I heard my mama cry
And he brushed her tears away
The night Chicago died
I heard my mama cry

Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a fight it really was, glory be

And I asked someone who said

When the town of Chicago died

In the land of the dollar bill
The night Chicago died
I heard her pray the night Chicago died

Had surrendered up or died
Brother what a night the people saw
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night it really was
And the sound of the battle rang
'Bout a hundred cops are dead
Brother what a night it really was
There was shouting in the street
Then there was no sound at all

In the heat of a summer night

Brother what a fight it really was, glory be
Brother what a fight the people saw, yes indeed
Back in the U S A

And they talk about it still
And he called his gang to war

The night Chicago died
I heard my mama cry
Back in the bad old days
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
When a man named Al Capone
'Til the last of the hoodlum gang

With the forces of the law
Then the door burst open wide
And the sound of running feet

And he kissed my mama's face
Brother what a fight the people saw, yes indeed
The night Chicago died
And my daddy stepped inside
Brother what a night it really was
Tried to make that town his own
But the clock upon the wall
Brother what a fight the people saw, yes indeed