Black day in July

Motor city madness has touched the countryside

And through the smoke and cinders

You can hear it far and wide

The doors are quickly bolted

And the children locked inside



Black day in July

Black day in July

And the soul of Motor City is bared across the land

As the book of law and order is taken in the hands

Of the sons of the fathers who were carried to this land



Black day in July

Black day in July

In the streets of Motor City is a deadly silent sound

And the body of a dead youth lies stretched upon the ground

Upon the filthy pavement

No reason can be found



Black day in July

Black day in July

Motor City madness has touched the countryside

And the people rise in anger

And the streets begin to fill

And there's gunfire from the rooftops

And the blood begins to spill



Black day in July



In the mansion of the governor

There's nothing that is known for sure

The telephone is ringing

And the pendulum is swinging

And they wonder how it happened

And they really know the reason

And it wasn't just the temperature

And it wasn't just the season



Black day in July

Black day in July

Motor City's burning and the flames are running wild

They reflect upon the waters of the river and the lake

And everyone is listening

And everyone's awake



Black day in July

Black day in July

The printing press is turning

And the news is quickly flashed

And you read your morning paper

And you sip your cup of tea

And you wonder just in passing

Is it him or is it me



Black day in July



In the office of the President

The deed is done the troops are sent

There's really not much choice you see

It looks to us like anarchy

And then the tanks go rolling in

To patch things up as best they can

There is no time to hesitate

The speech is made the dues can wait



Black day in July

Black day in July

The streets of Motor City now are quiet and serene

But the shapes of gutted buildings

Strike terror to the heart

And you say how did it happen

And you say how did it start

Why can't we all be brothers

Why can't we live in peace

But the hands of the have-nots

Keep falling out of reach



Black day in July

Black day in July

Motor city madness has touched the countryside

And through the smoke and cinders

You can hear it far and wide

The doors are quickly bolted

And the children locked inside