Track 7 from “Desire,” the second solo album from hip hop artist Pharoahe Monch, released on June 26, 2007.
Monch spits from the perspective of a bullet, touching on social issues, conspiracy and the assassination of political figures.
[Intro: Tom Mauser]
Something is wrong in this nation
When a child can grab a guns—grab a gun—so easily
And shoot a bullet
Into the middle of a child's face, as my daughter experienced
Something is wrong
[Chorus: Mr. Porter]
First, the gun draws and you know
That something's happening
Then darkness falls, and, oh
Your heart beats rapidly
Be prepared, because
War is coming
You can't be scared now
When the streets is calling you (You, you)
[Verse 1: Pharoahe Monch]
Good evening, my name's Mr. Bullet
I respond to the index when you pull it
The trigger, so make a note, take a vote
Quick man, nickname's "Quaker Oats" 'cause
Whether domestic violence or coke deals
See, I lust to change brain matter to oatmeal
And when I kill kids, they say "shame on me"
Who the fuck told you to put they names on me?
White man made me venom to eliminate
'Specially when I'm in the hood, I never discriminate
Just get in 'em, then I renovate
Flesh, bone ain't nothin' for me to penetrate
And it can happen so swiftly
One false move just might shift me
If I'm enlodged and your soul's not claimed
I will remind that ass when it's about to rain, like
[Chorus: Mr. Porter]
First, the gun draws and you know
That something's happening
Then darkness falls, and, oh
Your heart beats rapidly
Be prepared because
War is coming
You can't be scared now
When the streets is calling you (You, you)
[Verse 2: Pharoahe Monch]
Would the new method of murder be arson or firebombs
If the cost of a single bullet was more than the firearm?
Strange, that is
When all exits are final,point blank—range, that is
My attitude is cold and callous
Killed kings in Tennessee, presidents in Dallas
And if the past be known, at last, we know
What happened that afternoon on the Grassy Knoll
This is what made a widow of Jackie O
The government hired Lee Harvey to blast me, though
Fatality shot entered from the right temple
Was not fired from a six-story window
Can it be that it was all so simple
But yet remains so painful to rekindle?
I come through your city, I'm hot
Whether you're jiggy or not, whether you're Biggie or Pac
When the gun draws
[Chorus: Mr. Porter]
First, the gun draws and you know
That something's happening
Then darkness falls and, oh
Your heart beats rapidly
Be prepared because
War is coming
You can't be scared now
When the streets is calling you (You, you)
When the Gun Draws was written by Pharoahe Monch & dEnAun.
When the Gun Draws was produced by dEnAun.
Pharoahe Monch released When the Gun Draws on Tue Jun 26 2007.