City don't give a goddamn 'bout a black boy like me

(City don't give a goddamn 'bout a black boy like me)

City don't give a goddamn 'bout a black man like me

But the city damn near know dat dis pretty black man go free

(Oh) never had a dollar to my name

(Oh) daddy never stuck around neither

(Oh) mama got her head down in shame, mm

(Oh) never been avid reader

Walkin' to the edge of town

Satchel and smile, drop yo' knees down to the ground

Handsome, pretty eyes make your wife and nem hawt

I mean if I get up outta here, this jukebox gon' hop, yeah

City don't give a goddamn 'bout a black boy like me

(City don't give a goddamn 'bout a black boy like me)

City don't give a goddamn 'bout a black man like me

But the city damn near know dat dis pretty black man go free

Ooh-whoo, black man go free, ooh-whoo

Ooh-whoo, black man go free, ooh-whoo

Trains laid down a path, a path I couldn't see

These medals won't ever change that they treatin' me rotten

This boy done chose war, wasn't no draftee

Souls that didn't fall, we was forgotten

Walkin', these steps leadin' me nowhere

Inkslinger lay heavy 'bout boyhood and blond hair

Got me in a space I's never meant to be

Grey hair judge, blue eyed cop, white faced jury

Walkin', I, I thinkin' 'bout that night

Exhibit one, my black skin cause threat upon my life

Force-fed, these words were never mine to swallow

Mama, mama, please don't let them take me to the gallows

(Ah-whoo) black boy like me

(Ah-whoo, city don't give a goddamn 'bout a black boy like me) take me to the gallows

(Ah-whoo) mama, mama (black man like me)

(Ah-whoo, city don't give a goddamn 'bout a black boy like me) take me to the gallows

Mama, mama (black boy like me)

Mama, mama (city don't give a goddamn 'bout a black boy like me)

Mama, mama (ah, black man like me)

Mama, mama (city don't give a goddamn 'bout a black boy like me)

Please don't let them take me to the gallows