Dem wi´gi' whey dem talent to di state
An´di black workin´ class andahrate
Dem wi´ side wid oppressah
W´en di goin´ get ruff
Side wid aggressah
W´en di goin´ get tuff
Dem a black petty-booshwah
Dem full of flaw
Dem a black petty-booshwah
Dem full of flaw
Tru dem seh dem edicate dem a gwaan irate
Tru dem seh dem edicate dem a seek tap rate
Dem a seek posishan
Aaf di backs of blacks
Seek promoshan
Aaf di backs af blacks
Dem a black petty-booshwah
Dem full of flaw
Dem a black petty-booshwah
Dem full of flaw
Dem a run-up dem mout´ an´ a shout all about
Tru dem have a lat a dou´t ´bout di stren´t af blacks
Dem a run-up dem mout´
An´ a shout all about
But w´en wi launch wi attack
Dem wi´ haffi dress back
Dem a black petty-booshwah
Dem full of flaw
Dem a black petty-booshwah
Dem full of flaw!
Di Black Petty Booshwah was written by Linton Kwesi Johnson.