Black day in July
Motor city madness has touched the countryside
And through the smoke and cinders, you can hear it far and wide
The doors are quickly bolted and the children locked inside
Black day in July

Black day in July
In the streets of Motor City there's a deadly silent sound
And the body of a dead youth lies stretched upon the ground
Upon the filthy pavement, no reason can be found
Black day in July

Black day in July
Motor City madness has touched the countryside
And the people rise in anger and the streets begin to fill
And there's gunfire from the rooftops and the blood begins to spill
Black day in July

In the mansion of the governor
There's nothing that is known for sure
The telephone is ringing
And the pendulum is swinging
And they wonder how it happened
When they really know the reason
And it wasn't just the temperature
And it wasn't just the season
Black day in July

Black day in July
Motor City's burning and the flames are running wild
They reflect upon the waters of the river and the lake
And everyone is listening and everyone's awake
Black day in July

Black day in July
The printing press is turning and the news is quickly flashed
And you read your morning paper and you sip your cup of tea
And you wonder just in passing, is it him or is it me
Black day in July

In the office of the President
The deed is done, the troops are sent
There's really not much choice you see
It looks to us like anarchy
And then the tanks go rolling in
To patch things up as best they can
There is no time to hesitate
The speech is made the dues can wait
Black day in July

Black day in July
The streets of Motor City now are quiet and serene
But the shapes of gutted buildings strike terror to the heart
And you see how did it happen and you see how did it start
Why can't we all be brothers, why can't we live in peace
But the hands of the have-nots keep falling out of reach
Black day in July, black day in July, black day in July