"Waiting For The Axe To Fall" lyrics - GIL SCOTT-HERON

Brother livin' in a cell
Doin' time in a county jail
Now you might think his life is hell
But he told me, first room he ever had to himself
He's just, waitin' for the axe to fall
Sometimes lord I think that's all
When you're head is on a block
Ain't no way for it to stop
You're just waitin' for the axe to fall

Brother served in Viet Nam
And found out no one gives a damn
Agent Orange fell on his camp (but everybody went deaf)
Brother turned around on Uncle Sam
Waiting for the axe to fall;
Sometimes, Lord I think that's all
When your head is in the noose
And won't nobody turn you loose
You're waiting for the axe to fall

Sister on the welfare line
Examining the threads of her life
She never thought she'd be cheatin' and lyin'
Just makin' sure her and her kids survive
It's gettin' tougher just, waitin' for the axe to fall
Sometimes lord I think that's all
When you're head is on the block
And ain't nobody trying to stop
You're just waitin' for the axe to fall

Last night grandma should got shook
'Cause someone took her pocketbook
She ain't safe in the neighborhood
'Cause too many youngin's up to no good
They're just, waitin' for the axe to fall
Sometimes lord I think that's all
When your head is in the noose
And won't nobody turn you loose
You're waitin' for the axe to fall