Gordon Lightfoot: Black day in july

Black day in julyMotor city madness has touched the countrysideAnd through the smoke and cindersYou can hear it far and wideThe doors are quickly boltedAnd the children locked insideBlack day in julyBlack day in julyAnd the soul of motor city is bared across the landAs the book of law and order is taken in the handsOf the sons of the fathers who were carried to this landBlack day in julyBlack day in julyIn the streets of motor city is a deadly silent soundAnd the body of a dead youth lies stretched upon the groundUpon the filthy pavementNo reason can be foundBlack day in julyBlack day in julyMotor city madness has touched the countrysideAnd the people rise in angerAnd the streets begin to fillAnd theres gunfire from the rooftopsAnd the blood begins to spillBlack day in julyIn the mansion of the governorThere's nothing that is known for sureThe telephone is ringingAnd the pendulum is swingingAnd they wonder how it happenedAnd they really know the reasonAnd it wasn't just the temperatureAnd it wasn't just the seasonBlack day in julyBlack day in julyMotor city's burning and the flames are running wildThey reflect upon the waters of the river and the lakeAnd everyone is listeningAnd everyone's awakeBlack day in julyBlack day in julyThe printing press is turningAnd the news is quickly flashedAnd you read your morning paperAnd you sip your cup of teaAnd you wonder just in passingIs it him or is it meBlack day in julyIn the office of the presidentThe deed is done the troops are sentThere's really not much choice you seeIt looks to us like anarchyAnd then the tanks go rolling inTo patch things up as best they canThere is no time to hesitateThe speech is made the dues can waitBlack day in julyBlack day in julyThe streets of motor city now are quiet and sereneBut the shapes of gutted buildingsStrike terror to the heartAnd you say how did it happenAnd you say how did it startWhy can't we all be brothersWhy can't we live in peaceBut the hands of the have-notsKeep falling out of reachBlack day in julyBlack day in julyMotor city madness has touched the countrysideAnd through the smoke and cindersYou can hear it far and wideThe doors are quickly boltedAnd the children locked inside