Open Letter (To a Landlord)

[Chorus]
Now you can tear a building down
But you can't erase a memory
These houses may look all run-down
But they have a value you can't see

[Verse 1]
This is my neighborhood
This is where I come from
I call this place my home
You call this place a slum

[Verse 2]
You wanna run the people out
This is what you're all about
Treat poor people just like trash
Turn around and make big cash

[Chorus]
Now you can tear a building down
But you can't erase a memory
These houses may look all run-down
But they have a value you can't see

[Verse 3]
Last month, there was a fire
I saw several children die
You sent flowers to their families
But your sympathy's a lie

[Verse 4]
'Cause every building that you burn
Is more blood money that you earn
We are forced to relocate
From the pain that you create

[Chorus]
Now you can tear a building down
But you can't erase a memory
These houses may look all run-down
But they have a value you can't see

[Chorus]
Now you can tear a building down
But you can't erase a memory
These houses may look all run-down
But they have a value you can't see

[Verse 5]
We lived here for so many years
Now this house is full of fear
For a profit you will take control
Where will all the older people go?

[Verse 6]
There used to be when kids could play
Without the scourge of drugs' decay
Now our kids are living dead
They crack and blow their lives away

[Chorus]
Now you can tear a building down
But you can't erase a memory
These houses may look all run-down
But they have a value you can't see

[Chorus]
Now you can tear a building down
But you can't erase a memory
These houses may look all run-down
But they have a value you can't see

[Outro]
(Oh, you've got to fight)
Now you can tear a building down
(You've got to fight)
(You've got to fight for your neighborhood)
But you can't erase a memory
(You)
These houses may look all run-down
(You've got to fight for your neighborhood)
But they have a value you can't see
Now you can tear a building down
(You've got to, you've got to fight)
(You've got to fight for your neighborhood)
But you can't erase a memory
These houses may look all run-down
(You've got to fight)
(You've got to fight for your neighborhood)