Lyrics from a 56 year old recording...nothing learned, little changed.
Ya know, the Motor City is burning, babe
There ain't a thing in the world they can do
Ya know, the Motor City is burning people
There ain't a thing that white society can do
Ma home town burning down to the ground
Worser than Vietnam
Let me tell you how it started now
It started on 12th Clair Mount that morning
It made the, the pig cops all jump and shout
I said, it started on 12th Clair Mount that morning
It made the, the pigs in the street go freak out
The fire wagons kept comin', baby
But the Black Panther Snipers wouldn't let them put it out
Wouldn't let them put it out, wouldn't let them put it out
Get it on
Well, there were fire bombs bursting all around the people
Ya know there was soldiers standing everywhere
I said there was fire bombs bursting all around me, baby
Ya know there was National Guard everywhere
I can hear my people screaming
Sirens fill the air, fill the air, fill the air
Your mama, papa don't know what the trouble is
You see, they don't know what it's all about
I said, your mama, papa don't know what the trouble is, baby
They just can't see what it's all about
I get the news, read the newspapers, baby, baby?
You just get out there in the street and check it out
I said, the Motor City is burning, people
I ain't hanging 'round to fight it out
I said, the Motor City is burning, people
Just not hang around to fight it out
Well, I'm taking my wife and my people and they're on TV
Well, just before I go, baby, [Incomprehensible]
Fireman's on the street, people all around
Now, I guess it's true
I'd just like to strike a match for freedom myself
I may be a white boy, but I can be bad, too
Yes, it's true now, yes, it's true now
Yes
Let it all burn, let it all burn, let it all burn
Cheers - Louis MacNeice
Indeed...no change...2010 lyrics.....
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
19, hey! The motor city is burning, that ain't right
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
19, hey! The motor city is burning, y'all, that ain't right
There was a man, voice of the people
Standing on the balcony, of the Loraine Motel
Shots rang out, yes it was a gun
He was the only one, to fall down y'all
That ain't right, then his people screamed
Ain't no need for sunlight! (Ain't no need for sunlight)
Ain't no need for moon light! (Ain't no need for moon light)
Ain't no need for street light (ain't no need for street light)
'Cause it's burning really bright (burning real bright)
Some folks say we gonna fight (gonna fight)
'Cause this here thing just ain't right (ain't right)
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
19, hey! The motor city is burning, y'all
Whoo
Motor city is burning, y'all
Great God almighty! The motor city's burning
Ooh it's burning
Young man, coming out of a liquor store
With three pieces of black liquorice, in his hand y'all
Mister police man! Thought it was a gun, thought he was the one
Shot him down y'all, that ain't right
Then his momma screamed!
Ain't no need for sunlight! (Ain't no need for sunlight)
Ain't no need for moon light! (Ain't no need for moon light)
Ain't no need for street light (ain't no need for street light)
'Cause it's burning really bright (burning real bright)
Some folks say we gonna fight (gonna fight)
'Cause this here thing just ain't right (ain't right)
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
19, hey! The motor city is burning
Great God almighty it's, great God almighty it's burning
Can't put out the fire 'cause it's burning
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
.......................................
We could add a few in between and after too..