Lyrics

[MINGUS] This is the story of Mingus Rude This is the story of what happened to Mingus Rude This is the story of what really happened to Mingus Rude After he shot his granddad Shot his granddad And went to jail [ENSEMBLE WOMEN] Rich man, poor man, bad man, good Who will save the neighborhood? Big man, little man, who you gonna be? Will you ever sing...   [MINGUS] Play that music Play that music Play that music [ENSEMBLE MEN] Ba dums...           Ba dums... Now this is a story of a boy you know Who's been in and out of jail four times or so For different offenses from the bottom to the top Since the time he shot his Grandpop Stop, stop, stop, stop What do you do With no Mingus to protect you What do you do With no Mingus to protect you What do you do First stop: Spofford Prison, learner's prison, baby prison 13 year old kids who were dealing smack 14 year old transvestites who would shiv you in the back 12 year old kids who took kids and beat them dead One killer said he heard "Bugs Bunny in my head" [MINGUS and ENSEMBLE] I'm running Running, running [MINGUS] But I can't get away [MINGUS and ENSEMBLE] Running Running, running [MINGUS] But I can't get away Step 2: Rikers, where you grow up fast Forget the past, figure out how you can last You better get yourself a reputation as a hard case Lift weights, keep pace, harden your face Tim that past is erased, effaced, that space is replaced When you get in, check Jewish and get matzoh for holidays Share it with the Nation of Islam for protection A fake Black Jew sharing bread with the Muslims [ENSEMBLE] Lawyer, Muslim, player, pimp Latin King, Crip, Blood, hood, and wimp Watches, jewelry, cigarettes, drugs Haircuts, faggots, dealers, and thugs [MINGUS] You all think you're working the system But the system is working you [ENSEMBLE] Can you see the light [MINGUS] It's blinding [MINGUS and ENSEMBLE] Can you see the light [MINGUS] Oh, it's blinding [MINGUS and ENSEMBLE] I'm running Running, running [MINGUS] But I can't get away [MINGUS and ENSEMBLE] Running Running, running [MINGUS] Next stop: Elmira Boys' prison The you ain't seen nothing yet prison You better get pumped up quickly prison Or you won't make it And the flying Flying is for the sky And in Elmira there is no sky No sky So why think about it at all Now dose is making his mark for those Who can protect him They say "Draw me something sweet for my girl 'Cause Dose knows what girls like" Trading his art To be smart To survive Until his mark is just a way to stay alive And it feels like I could be Superman I could come and save you If only If only If only What do you do with nobody to protect you What do you do with nobody to protect you [ENSEMBLE] Oohs... Step 4: you get out and Smith Street is changing To bistros and Botanicas and baby stores All your tags and burners no more You don't belong here no more In a massacre Your run is done Everything stops You're pulled over by cops [ENSEMBLE] Hey you [MINGUS] Is that an open beer? [ENSEMBLE] Hey you [MINGUS] Do you live around here? Miss parole call Make your tag on a wall Is that a spray paint can? Is that a joint in your hand? You're a guilty man Without a doubt Because now it's just [ENSEMBLE]   Hey you!   Hey you!   Hey you! [MINGUS & ENSEMBLE] 3 strikes, you're out I'm running Running, running [MINGUS] But I can't get away [MINGUS & ENSEMBLE] Running Running, running [ENSEMBLE] But I can't get away [MINGUS] D-Man Where are you? D-Man Where are you? [MINGUS] Step 5: Watertown Prison Learn to be invisible Learn to be invisible Learn to be invisible Like the Show, barely visible You'll see what evil lurks Inside What do you do With nobody to protect you What do you do With nobody to protect you [PRISONERS]   Learn to be invisible Learn to be invisible Learn to be invisible     Oohs... [ROBERT] You know my name, read it off the liner notes You know my name, pussy rappers with vagina throats You know my name, same as my mother gave me My name is my fame, but my mother couldn't save me Nobody handing me a microphone Nobody telling me I deserve a sing of my own Never gonna fly Never gonna kiss the sky Never gonna be king Nobody kissing my ring Why did nobody ever give me anything You know my name [MINGUS] Can you see the light It's blinding   Can you see the light Oh, it's blinding [ENSEMBLE] Can you see the light   Can you see the light [ROBERT] Will you remember me Somebody's got to remember me Somebody's got to protect me Remember me please [MINGUS] What do you do with nobody to protect you What do you do with nobody to With nobody Nobody Nobody [MINGUS] I'm running, running, running But I can't get away Running But I can't get away Play that music Play that music Til you die Til you die Til you die Til you die Play that music Play that music Til you die Til you die Til you die Til you die Til you [ENSEMBLE] I'm running, running, running   Running, running, running Play that music Play that music Play that music Til you die Til you die Til you die Til you die Play that music Play that music Til you die Til you die Til you die Til you die Til you