Nellie McKay
"The Big One"


As you're walkin' down the street
Might wanna skip a beat
Think it over
Walkin' to the corner store
But it ain't there no more
If you want a loaf of bread
You try a pharmacy instead
Another chain will set you free

When you go to pay the rent
You see it's all been spent
The purse is empty
Money, money make a buck
But you're all outta luck
This town ain't friendly now
A thousand faces stare you down
Each one's afraid of what you see

Slither in your sea (can't deny it)
Hide behind the view (gentrifying)
Take a life or two (The revolution's comin' round)
Clingin' to the door ( quiver, cower )
Profit off the poor (fight the power)
Pay 'em even more (That's why they took Bruce Bailey down)
Took Bruce Bailey down

Lookin' like the jack is back
But he ain't gonna attack
His hands are flippin'
Druggies dyin' in the halls
They're bangin' on the walls
Your Ma ain't trippin' now
It ain't a home if you ain't allowed
What time's the cease fire
Where's the heat?

Spittin' on the old (sister/brother)
Shittin' on your soul (welfare mother)
Profit is the goal (the revolution's comin' round)
Payin' off a loan (mass eviction)
Elevate the zone (ain't no fiction)
Breakin' up a home (that's why they took Bruce Bailey down)
Took Bruce Bailey down

No more tokens, take a train
You swipe a piece of plastic paper
No more smokin' on the plane
You gripe they'll take you to the jailer
Bind your time, it's all in vain
They tell you as you meet your maker
Grief's the mother of invention
Pain's the midwife to your labor

Turn it, burn it, cure it, endure it
If you are able, sucker

People standing in the park
It's getting mighty dark
The kids are scowlin'
Shutter up the windows tight
This is an evil night
The wind is howlin' fast
Another tragedy has passed
Another stain on you and me

Slither in your sea (can't deny it)
Hide behind the view (gentrifying)
Take a life or two (The revolution's comin' round)
Clingin' to the door (quiver, cower)
Profit off the poor (fight the power)
Pay 'em even more (That's why they took Bruce Bailey down)
Took Bruce Bailey down

Spittin' on the old (sister/brother)
Shittin' on your soul (welfare mother)
Profit is the goal (the revolution's comin' round)
Payin' off a loan (mass eviction)
Elevate the zone (ain't no fiction)
Breakin' up a home (that's why they took Bruce Bailey down)
Took Bruce Bailey down