Daddy was a cop

On the East Side of Chicago

Back in the USA

Back in the bad old days



In the heat of a summer night

In the land of the dollar bill

When the town of Chicago died

And they talk about it still



When a man named Al Capone

Tried to make that town his own

And he called his gang to war

Against the forces of the law



I heard my momma cry

I heard her pray the night Chicago died

Brother, what a night it really was

Brother, what a fight it really was

Glory be



I heard my momma cry

I heard her pray the night Chicago died

Brother, what a night the people saw

Brother, what a fight the people saw

Yes, indeed



And the sound of the battle rang

Through the streets of the old East Side

'Til the last of the hoodlum gang

Had surrendered up or died



There was shouting in the street

And the sound of running feet

And I asked someone who said

'Bout a hundred cops are dead



I heard my momma cry

I heard her pray the night Chicago died

Brother, what a night it really was

Brother, what a fight it really was

Glory be



I heard my momma cry

I heard her pray the night Chicago died

Brother, what a night the people saw

Brother, what a fight the people saw

Yes, indeed



Then there was no sound at all

But the clock up on the wall

Then the door burst open wide

And my daddy stepped inside

And he kissed my momma's face

Then brushed her tears away



I heard my momma cry

I heard her pray the night Chicago died

Brother, what a night it really was

Brother, what a fight it really was

Glory be



I heard my momma cry

I heard her pray the night Chicago died

Brother, what a night the people saw

Brother, what a fight the people saw

Yes, indeed



The night Chicago died

The night Chicago died

Brother, what a night it really was

Brother, what a fight it really was

Glory be



The night Chicago died

The night Chicago died