Gil Scott-Heron - Billy Green Is Dead lyrics

Uh, we’d like to do a poem called
Uh, "Billy Green Is Dead" And, uh, what
It does is point out that, um, our
Concern is still rather
Shallow our community-mindedness
Our community orientation toward each other
Is still not what it
Should be this is called
"Billy Green Is Dead"

The economy is in an uproar
The whole damn country’s in the red
Taxi fares are going up
You say, "Billy Green is dead?"
The government can't decide on bussing
Or at least that’s what they said

Yeah, I heard you when you told me
You said Billy Green was dead
But let me tell you ‘bout these hot pants
That this big legged sister wore
When I partied with the Alphas what?!
Billy took an overdose?
Well now, junkies will be junkies
But did you see Gunsmoke last night?
Man, they had themselves a shootout
And folks was dying left and right
At the end when Matt was cornered
I had damn near give up hope

What, you?! Why you keep on interrupting me?
You say my son is taking dope?
Call the law and call the doctor!
What you mean I shouldn't scream?
My only son is taking dope?
Should I sit here like I'm pleased?

Is that familiar anybody?
Check out what’s inside your head
Because it never seems to matter
When it's Billy Green who's dead