Open Letter (To a Landlord)

Lyrics

[Chorus] Now, you can tear a building down But you can't erase a memory These houses may look all run-down But they have a value you can't see [Verse 1] This is my neighborhood This is where I come from I call this place my home You call this place a slum You wanna run the people out This is what you're all about Treat poor people just like trash Turn around and make big cash [Chorus] Now, you can tear a building down But you can't erase a memory These houses may look all run-down But they have a value you can't see [Verse 2] Last month there was a fire I saw several children die You sent flowers to their families But your sympathy's a lie 'Cause every building that you burn Is more blood money that you earn We are forced to relocate From the pain that you create [Chorus] Now, you can tear a building down But you can't erase a memory These houses may look all run-down But they have a value you can't see Now, you can tear a building down But you can't erase a memory These houses may look all run-down But they have a value you can't see [Instrumental break] [Verse 3] We lived here for so many years Now this house is full of fear For a profit you will take control Where will all the older people go? There used to be when kids could play Without the scourge of drugs' decay Now, our kids are living dead They crack and blow their lives away [Chorus] Now, you can tear a building down But you can't erase a memory These houses may look all run-down But they have a value you can't see Now, you can tear a building down But you can't erase a memory (Memory) These houses may look all run-down But they have a value you can't see [Outro] (Oh, you've got to fight) Now, you can tear a building down (You've got to fight) But you can't erase a memory (You've got to fight for your neighborhood) (You) These houses may look all run-down (You've got to fight for your neighborhood!) But they have a value you can't see Now, you can tear a building down (You've got to fight!) (You've got the right!) But you can't erase a memory (You've got to fight for your neighborhood!) These houses may look all run-down (You've got to fight) (You've got to fight for your neighborhood)