"Billy Green Is Dead" lyrics - GIL SCOTT-HERON

[Intro: Gil Scott-Heron]
Uh, we'd like to do a poem called, uh, "Billy Green Is Dead," and, uh, what is does is it point 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"

[Verse 1: Gil Scott-Heron]
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

[Verse 2: Gil Scott-Heron]
Yea, 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

[Verse 3: Gil Scott-Heron]
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?

[Verse 4: Gil Scott-Heron]
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

[Outro: Gil Scott-Heron]
That's "Billy Green Is Dead"