Written by: curtis mayfield



Just out of monday

Run into a friend

Down the streetdown the street

Where I live



Ah! ah! sad things begin

I could feel from within

From the messagefrom the message

He had to give



'bout a buddy of mine

Running out of time

Somebody past noonshot across the room

And now the man no longer lives



Too bad about him

Too sad about him

Don't get me wrongthe man is gone

But it's a wonder he lived this long



Up in the city they called him boss jack

But down home he was a alley cat

Ah! didn't care nothing about being black

Oh! billy jack



Can't be no fun (can't be no fun)

To be shotshot with a hand gun

Body sprawled outyou without a doubt

Running people outthere on the flooroh oh oh



Ah! ah! bad bloody bloody mess

Shot all up in his chest

One sided duelgun and a fool

What a way to go



Up in the city they called him boss jack

But down home he was a alley cat

Ah! didn't care nothin' 'bout being black

Ahohbilly jack

Ah! ah! ah! ah!