Baltimore
perfect conditions for a fire tonight
hope to settle up early and get out of sight,
a gentleman strolling, south of the tracks
his only misfortune was that his skin was black
they asked a few questions, then read him some rights
he asked, what can a poor man do for you two tonight?
well, it’s not what you did boy, we don’t need the facts
just step in that van, son, sit back and relax
is anybody keeping score,
could be out in Ferguson or Baltimore
another man died in this town
an eye for an eye all around
a little more blood on the ground
tearing our own house down
now it draws some attention, a newsroom delight
gets everyone worked up, at least for one night
they fight about progress and debate over blame
but a short few days later, shit’s pretty much the same
with everybody locking their doors,
what’s the difference between Birmingham and Baltimore?
another man died in this town
an eye for an eye all around
a little more blood on the ground
tearing our own house down
a mother is reading her child some rhymes
not knowing she kissed her man for the very last time,
while across town they wonder will the president act
thought it all would blow over because his skin was black
a fire burning up from the floor,
from L.A. to Detroit and now it’s Baltimore
another man died in this town
an eye for an eye all around
a little more blood on the ground
tearing our own house down
Troy Richmond Dixon
Look Out
been a lot of water spilling over the dam
heading north at the desert border across the muddy rio grande
you say, they’re stealing what we own, and they should all just walk back home
well, I say that you’re all shortsighted
none of us were invited over here
they better look out,
staring at me everywhere, every step I go
malice in you many forms, so your story’s told
are you peering in my windows?
watching where I’ve been?
thought you had to be behind bars in this country
before someone could listen in
better look out, we all know where you’ve been
better look out, here we come again
they better look out, we’re gathering up our friends
better look out, can you feel it in the wind?
better look out, this is where it all begins
out of the many we are one
standing in my garden, humble in the shade
grateful for the bounty, what the earth and sun hath made
you judge me for my medicine, but you’re misunderstood
why would the sweet lord put it in the ground
if it wasn’t there to do me good?
better look out, you’re not on solid ground
better look out, this is how it’s going down
they better look out, we’re gathering up our friends
better look out, can you feel it in the wind?
better look out, this is where it all begins
out of the many we are one
one heartbeat, one choice
one scream, one voice
a play for my affection, like you take care of me
when it’s the other way around and you know I’m right to see
your taste for gold and silver with an appetite for war
but it’s hard to believe that might makes right
when the rich keep killing the poor
they better look out, that darkness you defend
better look out, it’s time this blindness ends
it’s time this blindness ends
they better look out, we’re gathering up our friends
better look out, can you feel it in the wind?
better look out, this is where it all begins
out of the many we are one
Troy Richmond Dixon