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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Gil Scott-Heron
Gil Scott-Heron
Vocals
Brian Jackson
Brian Jackson
Electric Piano
Bernard Purdie
Bernard Purdie
Drums
Burt Jones
Burt Jones
Electric Guitar
Hubert Laws
Hubert Laws
Flute
Johnny Pate
Johnny Pate
Conductor
Ron Carter
Ron Carter
Electric Bass Guitar
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Gil Scott-Heron
Gil Scott-Heron
Songwriter
Brian Jackson
Brian Jackson
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Bob Simpson
Bob Simpson
Mixing Engineer
Bob Thiel
Bob Thiel
Producer
Lillian Seyfert
Lillian Seyfert
Assistant Producer
Ray Hall
Ray Hall
Mixing Engineer

Lyrics

Here I am After so many years Hounded by hatred And trapped by fear I'm in a box I've got no place to go If I follow my mind I know I'll slaughter my own Help me I'm the prisoner Won't you hear my plea I need somebody Yeah, to listen to me I beg you Brothers and sisters I'm counting on you (yeah) Black babies in the womb Are shackled and bound Chained by the caveman Who keeps beauty down Smacked on the ass When they're squalling and wet Heir to a spineless man who Never forgets Never forgets that he's a prisoner Can't you hear my plea 'Cause I need somebody Lord knows, to listen to me I'm a stranger to my son who wonders Why his daddy runs, yeah... On my way to work in the morning When I don't give a damn Can't nobody, can't nobody, can't nobody Can't nobody see just who in hell I am? Hemmed in by a suit Yes, all choked up in a tie Ain't no wonder sometimes near morning I hear my woman cry She knows her man is a prisoner Won't you hear my plea Yeah, 'cause I need somebody Woah, to listen to me My woman she don't say But she hates to see her man Chained this way, yeah Help me, I'm the prisoner Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah... I'm the prisoner
Writer(s): Gil Scott-heron, Brian Jackson Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com
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