Lyrics

Intro: Riot! Handsworth riot! Now people all over, stand to attention And listen to the vibes from Pato Banton Cah Handsworth riot me have to get a mention Chorus: What was the riot for? Please give me an answer What was the riot for? Please give me an answer Now me know the situation in the Handsworth area Everyday men get beat up by police officer Could be sitting in your yard, with you daughter Them will kick off your door and say: "come on nigga!" Them raid di Villa Cross and arrest 'nuff bredda And stop we from use Oaklands Sport Centre Down at Thornhill Road Station 'nuff man get torture Some can't take di pressure and turn informer Certain names I could mention, but I won't bother Cause I've got to carry on, in this lecture When Mr. Douglas Hurd ask them, "what's the matter?" Someone shoulda be there with the right answer Instead dem ah uh uh uh like gorilla And ah fling rock stone like war monger In front of worldwide television camera Some loot, some shoot and commit murder Chorus: What was the riot for? Please give me an answer What was the riot for? Please give me an answer It was the first night when two men get murder They was two decent law-abiding cha-cha's Upstairs in a post office, it's where they sat ah When a gang of bad youths kick off the door and enter Now the only witness was one next-door neighbour And this is what he said in front of TV cameras: "I was sitting in my house eating my dinner Then I heard Mr. Singh shouting out for Allah Then he says, "don't hurt us, we are all black brother!" And a voice said, "shut up and pass the money over!" Well, when I hear this I run to call the copper But by the time I got back the place was on fire What was the riot for? Please give me an answer What was the riot for? Please give me an answer " Chorus: What was the riot for? Please give me an answer What was the riot for? Please give me an answer On Tuesday the 10th of September Handsworth riot take the front page of every paper I read the story and have to cry with laughter To some reporter enter the Handsworth area Looking an inside story to give the editor When they thought: "we're in luck!" -- they was in danger Certain bad boys don't like it when you take picture So they grab the news reporter by the collar Pin them up against the wall and do them over Tek weh one pentax and one Nikon camera Tek weh dem wallet, di watch and lighter And tell them, "don't come back in our area!! The policeman and fireman get injure No few 'pon de front line get capture 'Nuff indian man shop get set on fire And nearly every car get turned over Some people a walk home with tape recorder Some have TV, some have video, some have amplifier From the day that me born me never see worse ah Police a mek deal wid law breaker: "If you stop the rioting we'll get out the area" I know this is the true and not a rumor Cause I know that the police a one set of groveller Anyway, just before me leave di mic centre Chorus: What was the riot for? Please give me an answer What was the riot for? Please give me an answer What was the riot for? Please give me an answer Outro: Riot! Handsworth riot! Can't keep the riot Rough!