Lyr Add: Black Day In July (Gordon Lightfoot)

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK DAY IN JULY (Gordon Lightfoot)
From: GUEST,Greg F.
Date: 15 Jun 20 - 10:15 AM

BLACK DAY IN JULY

        -Gordon Lightfoot

Black day in July
Motor city madness has touched the countryside
And through the smoke and cinders you can hear it far and wide
The doors are quickly bolted and the children locked inside
Black day in July

Black day in July
And the soul of Motor City is bared across the land
As the book of law and order is taken in the hands
Of the sons of the fathers who were carried to this land
Black day in July

Black day in July
In the streets of Motor City is a deadly silent sound
And the body of a dead youth lies stretched upon the ground
Upon the filthy pavement no reason can be found
Black day in July

Black day in July
Motor City madness has touched the countryside
And the people rise in anger and the streets begin to fill
And there's gunfire from the rooftops and the blood begins to spill
Black day in July
In the mansion of the governor there's nothing that is known for sure
The telephone is ringing and the pendulum is swinging
And they wonder how it happened and they really know the reason
And it wasn't just the temperature and it wasn't just the season
Black day in July

Black day in July
Motor City's burning and the flames are running wild
They reflect upon the waters of the river and the lake
And everyone is listening and everyone's awake
Black day in July

Black day in July
The printing press is turning and the news is quickly flashed
And you read your morning paper and you sip your cup of tea
And you wonder just in passing is it him or is it me
Black day in July

In the office of the President the deed is done the troops are sent
There's really not much choice you see it looks to us like anarchy
And then the tanks go rolling in to patch things up as best they can
There is no time to hesitate the speech is made the dues can wait
Black day in July

Black day in July
The streets of Motor City now are quiet and serene
But the shapes of gutted buildings strike terror to the heart
And you say how did it happen and you say how did it start
Why can't we all be brothers why can't we live in peace
But the hands of the have-nots keep falling out of reach
Black day in July

Black day in July
Motor city madness has touched the countryside
And through the smoke and cinders you can hear it far and wide
The doors are quickly bolted and the children locked inside
Black day in July
Black day in July
Black day in July



lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Black Day In July
From: GUEST,Roger
Date: 15 Jun 20 - 10:42 AM

I have never understood the significance or meaning of this song. I have it on an album by Gordon.
Was it about a specific incident or intended as a general comment on the state of society. Which 'Motor City'?
Roger.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Black Day In July
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 15 Jun 20 - 10:47 AM

The Detroit riots were in July 1967. That was 53 years ago. How much has changed?

The album - Did She Mention My Name - came out in January 1968 and by April the song was banned by radio stations in 30 US states. Gordon Lightfoot banned! In a CBC Radio clip, an indignant Lightfoot explains why top-40 radio stations in the U.S. have banned the song;

"A lot of them don't want to upset their listeners. It's the housewife in the morning, let's give her something that'll make her happy, why give her something that'll make her think?"

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Black Day In July
From: GUEST,Roger
Date: 15 Jun 20 - 11:30 AM

Many thanks Henry.
A lot of them don't want to upset their listeners. It's the housewife in the morning, let's give her something that'll make her happy, why give her something that'll make her think?"
Its a sad reflection that Gordons words are as true today as they were then.
Roger.