Black Day In July Lyrics - Gordon Lightfoot

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 

And the soul of motor city is bared across the land 

As the book of law and order is taken in the hands 

Of the sons of the fathers who were carried to this land 

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 and 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 say, "How did it happen" And you say, "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 

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, black day in July