Handsworth Riot

Intro:
Riot!
Handsworth riot!
Now people all over, stand to attention
And listen to the vibes from Pato Banton
Cah Handsworth riot me have to get a mention

Chorus:
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer

Now me know the situation in the Handsworth area
Everyday men get beat up by police officer
Could be sitting in your yard, with you daughter
Them will kick off your door and say: “come on nigga!”
Them raid di Villa Cross and arrest 'nuff bredda
And stop we from use Oaklands Sport Centre
Down at Thornhill Road Station 'nuff man get torture
Some can’t take di pressure and turn informer
Certain names I could mention, but I won’t bother
Cause I’ve got to carry on, in this lecture
When Mr. Douglas Hurd ask them, “what’s the matter?”
Someone shoulda be there with the right answer
Instead dem ah uh uh uh like gorilla
And ah fling rock stone like war monger
In front of worldwide television camera
Some loot, some shoot and commit murder

Chorus:
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer

It was the first night when two men get murder
They was two decent law-abiding cha-cha’s
Upstairs in a post office, it’s where they sat ah
When a gang of bad youths kick off the door and enter
Now the only witness was one next-door neighbour
And this is what he said in front of TV cameras:
"I was sitting in my house eating my dinner
Then I heard Mr. Singh shouting out for Allah
Then he says, “don’t hurt us, we are all black brother!”
And a voice said, “shut up and pass the money over!”
Well, when I hear this I run to call the copper
But by the time I got back the place was on fire
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer "

Chorus:
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer

On Tuesday the 10th of September
Handsworth riot take the front page of every paper
I read the story and have to cry with laughter
To some reporter enter the Handsworth area
Looking an inside story to give the editor
When they thought: "we're in luck!" -- they was in danger
Certain bad boys don’t like it when you take picture
So they grab the news reporter by the collar
Pin them up against the wall and do them over
Tek weh one pentax and one Nikon camera
Tek weh dem wallet, di watch and lighter
And tell them, “don’t come back in our area!!
The policeman and fireman get injure
No few 'pon de front line get capture
'Nuff indian man shop get set on fire
And nearly every car get turned over
Some people a walk home with tape recorder
Some have TV, some have video, some have amplifier
From the day that me born me never see worse ah
Police a mek deal wid law breaker:
"If you stop the rioting we’ll get out the area"
I know this is the true and not a rumor
Cause I know that the police a one set of groveller
Anyway, just before me leave di mic centre

Chorus:
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer
What was the riot for? Please give me an answer

Outro:
Riot!
Handsworth riot!
Can’t keep the riot
Rough!