Riot
๐ต 3067 characters
โฑ๏ธ 4:48 duration
๐ ID: 25064155
๐ Lyrics
Now this one is talking about the Handsworth
Riot because dem can't keep me quiet
Now this one is dedicated to me brethen and sistren of the ghetto
Now listen to the words of Mr. Paddle
Banton, and understand me nuh man
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
Now me know the situation in the Handsworth area
Everyday man get beat up by police officer
Could be sitting in your yard with a spliff of ganja
Dem will kick off your door and say "Come out, nigga!"
Dem raid the Villa Cross and arrest nuff bredda
And stop 'way from youth's Oakland Sports Centre
Down at Arnhill Road Station nuff man get torture
Some of dem can't take the pressure and turn informer
Certain names me coulda mention, but me nah go bother
'Cause me haffi carry on inna this lecture
When Mr. Douglas Hurd ask dem "What's the matter?"
Someone shoulda been there with the right answer
Instead dem a "ooh ooh ooh" like gorilla
And a fling rock stone like some warmonger
In front of worldwide television camera
Some a loot, some a shoot and commit murder
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
It was the first night when two man get murder
Dem was two decent, law-abiding cha-cha
Upstairs inna post office is where dem sat
When a gang of bad youths kick off door and enter
The only witness was one next-door neighbour
And this is what he said in front of TV camera
"I was sitting in my house eating my dinner
Then I heard Mr. Singh shouting out for holler
Then he said 'Don't hurt us, we are all black brother'
And a voice said 'Shut up and pass the money over'
Well when I heard this I ran to call a copper
But by the time I got back the place was on fire"
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
Tuesday the 10th of September
Handsworth Riot lick the front page of every paper
Me read a story and start cry with laughter
Two Sun reporter enter Handsworth area
Dem a look an inside story fi give dem editor
When dem think dem inna luck dem was inna danger
Certain badboy no love it when you take picture
Dem grab the news reporter by dem collar
Pin dem up against a wall and pull dem over
Take 'way one Pentax and one Nikon camera
Take 'way dem wallet, watch and lighter
And tell dem "No come back inna we area"
Nuff policeman and fireman get injured
Nuff youth pon the frontline get captured
Nuff Indian man shop get set pon fire
And nearly every car get turned over
Some people a walk home with tape recorder
Some have TV, some have video, some have amplifier
From the day that me born me never see what's a
Police a make deal with lawbreaker
And stop 'way from youth's-
Dammit
Instead-
Please give me an-
What was the riot for?
Riot because dem can't keep me quiet
Now this one is dedicated to me brethen and sistren of the ghetto
Now listen to the words of Mr. Paddle
Banton, and understand me nuh man
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
Now me know the situation in the Handsworth area
Everyday man get beat up by police officer
Could be sitting in your yard with a spliff of ganja
Dem will kick off your door and say "Come out, nigga!"
Dem raid the Villa Cross and arrest nuff bredda
And stop 'way from youth's Oakland Sports Centre
Down at Arnhill Road Station nuff man get torture
Some of dem can't take the pressure and turn informer
Certain names me coulda mention, but me nah go bother
'Cause me haffi carry on inna this lecture
When Mr. Douglas Hurd ask dem "What's the matter?"
Someone shoulda been there with the right answer
Instead dem a "ooh ooh ooh" like gorilla
And a fling rock stone like some warmonger
In front of worldwide television camera
Some a loot, some a shoot and commit murder
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
It was the first night when two man get murder
Dem was two decent, law-abiding cha-cha
Upstairs inna post office is where dem sat
When a gang of bad youths kick off door and enter
The only witness was one next-door neighbour
And this is what he said in front of TV camera
"I was sitting in my house eating my dinner
Then I heard Mr. Singh shouting out for holler
Then he said 'Don't hurt us, we are all black brother'
And a voice said 'Shut up and pass the money over'
Well when I heard this I ran to call a copper
But by the time I got back the place was on fire"
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
Tuesday the 10th of September
Handsworth Riot lick the front page of every paper
Me read a story and start cry with laughter
Two Sun reporter enter Handsworth area
Dem a look an inside story fi give dem editor
When dem think dem inna luck dem was inna danger
Certain badboy no love it when you take picture
Dem grab the news reporter by dem collar
Pin dem up against a wall and pull dem over
Take 'way one Pentax and one Nikon camera
Take 'way dem wallet, watch and lighter
And tell dem "No come back inna we area"
Nuff policeman and fireman get injured
Nuff youth pon the frontline get captured
Nuff Indian man shop get set pon fire
And nearly every car get turned over
Some people a walk home with tape recorder
Some have TV, some have video, some have amplifier
From the day that me born me never see what's a
Police a make deal with lawbreaker
And stop 'way from youth's-
Dammit
Instead-
Please give me an-
What was the riot for?