Black day in July

Motor citymadness has touched the country side

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 there's a deadly silent sound

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

Upon the filthy pavements, 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

When 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

Black day in July, black day in July, black day in July