When The Gun Draws - Pharoahe Monch, Mr. Porter

Something is wrong in this nation

When a child can grab a guns—grab a gun so easily

And shoot a bullet

Into the middle of a child’s face, as my daughter experienced

Something is wrong

First the gun draws and you know that something’s happening

Then darkness falls and, oh, your heart beats rapidly

Be prepared because war is coming

You can’t be scared now, when the streets is calling you

Good evening, my name’s Mr. Bullet

I respond to the index when you pull it

The trigger, so make a note, take a vote

Quick man, nickname’s 'Quaker Oats' 'cause

Whether domestic violence or coke deals

See, I lust to change brain matter to oatmeal

And when I kill kids, they say shame on me

Who the fuck told you to put they names on me?

White man made me venom to eliminate

Especially when I’m in the hood, I never discriminate

Just get in 'em, then I renovate

Flesh, bone, ain’t nothin' for me to penetrate

And it can happen so swiftly

One false move just might shift me

If I’m enlodged and your soul’s not claimed

I will remind that ass when it’s about to rain, like

First the gun draws and you know that something’s happening

Then darkness falls and, oh, your heart beats rapidly

Be prepared because war is coming

You can’t be scared now, when the streets is calling you

Would the new method of murder be arson or firebombs

If the cost of a single bullet was more than the firearm?

Strange, that is, when all exits are final

Point blank;

range, that is

My attitude is cold and callous

Killed kings in Tennessee, presidents in Dallas

And if the past be known, at last we know

What happened that afternoon on the Grassy Knoll

It’s what made a widow of Jackie O

The government hired Lee Harvey to blast me, though

Fatality shot entered from the right temple

Was not fired from a six-story window

Can it be that it was all so simple

But yet remains so painful to rekindle?

I come through your city, I’m hot

Whether you’re jiggy or not, whether you’re Biggie or Pac

When the gun draws

First the gun draws and you know that something’s happening

Then darkness falls and, oh, your heart beats rapidly

Be prepared because war is coming

You can’t be scared now, when the streets is calling you