The sergent's orders could be heard all around

he said, "boys, we're gonna have us a shakedown."

so baby, find some walls to hide in between

or these no good suckers just might suck us clean


you looked so desperate from the shoreline

to find some peace of mind and leave this all behind

and then we'll prominade 

to this red mascarade's marching drum

(to this headstrong brigade's marching drum)


they packed the neighborhood with guns and police

growled through the bullhorn, "we've come to set you free"

remember elliott said "they're killing a southern belle"

if it's true, then we're next and it's just as well