the south end is a hood
in the hoods there are boys
the boys call themselves dogs
dogs run in packs

in the hoods there are boys
some call them hoodlums
dogs run in packs
lay their heads in beds

some call them hoodlums
really they’re kids
lay their heads in beds
in the hoods that are bedlam
 
really they’re kids
just doing what they know best
in the hoods that are bedlam
where summertime means war

just doing what they know best
bangin, slangin, pimpin hustlin
where summertime means war
where winters are cold

bangin, slangin, pimpin hustlin
this city’s no different from
where winters are cold
dogs run in packs

this city’s no different from
any american city
dogs run in packs
power’s in the cops

any american city
with gangs on the streets
power’s in the cops
who sells us guns

with gangs on the streets
drugs in the bloodstream
who sells us guns
makes it so our hoods are bedlam

drugs in the bloodstream
our kids on the streets
makes it so our hoods are bedlam
and the cycle just repeats


Angela Martinez Dy