Staten Island Goddamn!

Staten Island, a plantation
Paddyrollers at every station 
They ordered the Freedman show a pass
Or he’d join his ancestors under the grass 
Freedman raised his hands to show no threat
Hisses and rattles, he’s trapped in the net 

Staten Island Goddamn!

A blue boa’s grasp
A grunt, a gasp
A beast choke
A strangled stroke

You scream for air and you heave
I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!
Staten Island Goddamn!

A forearm lynch
Drinks your blood until it’s quenched 
It slinks away to spread more stench 
To kill you again at the judge’s bench

You scream for air and you heave 
I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!
Staten Island Goddamn!

Police profile, stop and frisk us the most
Demand justice and you’re a ghost
Stand your ground law, license to roast
Just-us prevails, time to boast

You scream for air and you heave 
I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!
Staten Island Goddamn!

Million dollar compensation
A transient sensation
Genocide and mentacide on our nation
A scheme for family castration

You scream for air and you heave
I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!
Los Angeles, California! Ferguson, Missouri! Phoenix, Arizona! 
Staten Island, New York Goddamn!

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