Handsworth Riot - Pato Banton

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

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

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 "

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

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!