Tom Morello – Lead Poisoning lyrics

(feat. HeRobust, RZA & GZA)

[Pre-Chorus]
Rise like coyotes
Rise like coal-blackened thunder
The fleet has left
While the admiral slumbered
Vigilante Nocturno
Test the chains
Gnaw the screws
We are many
They are few

Check it
It's lead poisoning

[Verse 1]
I live in a land of
Black ropes, white justice
As long as she wear
The blindfold
I can't trust this
I'm imagining what can
Bring such hate
This phobia or dislike
Grounds for a debate
Some say it's trigger happy
I say it's lead poisoning
Somethin' that's deeply rooted
In official embroidering
The difference?
We went from
Water hoses to bullets
But the valve or trigger
Just a different
Figure to pull it
Murdered by the state
Like the cousin of the
John the Baptist
As if Black youths aren't
Nothing but target practice
Overindulgence of power
A monstrous binge
This creates anger
Make me want to seek revenge
You invade our protests
Guns and heavy armor
Riot shields and yielding a
Badge of dishonor
Just a disguised
Version of the KKK
Cops killing kids
About seven a day

[Chorus]
Lead- lead- lead poisoning
Lead- lead- lead poisoning
Lead- lead- lead poisoning
Lead- lead- lead poisoning
Lead- lead- lead poisoning
Lead- lead- lead poisoning
It's lead poisoning
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise

[Verse 2]
In all reality
Police Brutality
Cause too many casualties
It starts from the
Improper training
Brainwashing of their faculty
Suppose to serve and protect
Not disturb and disrespect
With six niggas on the curb
Face down inside my projects
A long-term effect they done got
On my community
They killed Little Bill
But the badge gave them immunity
Rodney King caught a
Stampede on TV
Now they chokin' niggas out 'til
He's like "I can't breathe"
I used to watch
Starksky and Hutch
And Baretta and Adam-12
And such
Dreamin' I could be a
Cop when I grow up
I would see you in my
Neighborhood
And I would trust you
But now I understand
Why Eazy-E
Is like "fuck you!"

[Chorus]
Lead- lead- lead poisoning
Lead- lead- lead poisoning
Lead- lead- lead poisoning
Lead- lead- lead poisoning
Lead- lead- lead poisoning
Lead- lead- lead poisoning
It's lead poisoning
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise like coyotes
Rise like coal-blackened thunder
The fleet has left
While the admiral slumbered
Vigilante Nocturno
Test the chains
Gnaw the screws
We are many
They are few