Pause for a minute and ask yourself why
The red glow of fire lights up the sky
And the sound of the siren screams through the 
And the streets re-echo with the rifles crack
Oh what are the thoughts that go racing through your brain
And mess your mind up
At the sight of the city that’s gone completely insane
Where will it wind up
Come on with me let me take you down there
To the hate-haunted canyon of human despair
Over the dark invisible wall
Through the sickening stench of the tenament hall
Oh how can I tell in terms of black and white
Why theres fire in the city tonight
Oh what are the thoughts that go racing through your brain
And mess your mind up
At the sight of the city thats gone completely insane
Where will it wind up
I know by your face that you don’t know the sound
Of a club thats beaten a man to the ground
Where your home is your prison, your skin a disgrace
And the gates of your nation swing shut in your face
Oh how can I tell you in terms of black and white
Why theres fire in the city tonight
Oh what are the thoughts that go racing through your brain
And mess your mind up
At the sight of the city thats gone completely insane
Where will it wind up
Oh pause for a minute and ask yourself why
The red glow of fire lights up the sky
And at the sound of the siren you really know
That you truly do reap just what you sow
Oh how can I tell you in terms of black and white
Why theres fire in the city tonight
Oh how can I tell you in terms of black and white
Why theres fire in the city tonight
Oh how can I tell you in terms of black and white
Why theres fire in the city tonight