(after Dudley Randall’s The Ballad Of Birmingham)
“Baby, dear, baby go round back
Go by our fence and play
Baby, these blocks are too damn hot
Don’t go outside today”
“I see the darkness I tried to stop
I see the traps and scores
And baby, if they take you out
I will not see no more”
“Mama, you need your pills and snacks
Your sugar’s fierce and wild
Mama, I know these city blocks
And I’m a little child”
“Mama, I will not be alone
This block will be with me
Mama, I’ll get your pills and snacks
And I‘ll be home before it’s three”
Then when we heard the explosion
Our eyes grew wet and wild
We marched the streets of 19th street
Crying for our child
The starter g’s and starter cribs
pushed weight and flexed their shoes
This was the weight our baby wore
and niggas, where were you?
