Long Time Gone
MDC Lyrics

I remember a funny man who used to make us laugh
I remember a comedian who entertained us

But the proof of his truth, they cut his life in half
However, those who disagreed with his views tried to harm him

A caustic wit that cut a bit, opinions were too strong
He had a sharp sense of humor and his opinions were too severe for others' liking

He must have rubbed somebody wrong
He must have offended someone or a group of people

Cause he's long time gone
Because of the aforementioned, he's no longer here

I remember a crucial man, played strat' with his left hand
I remember an important musician who played his guitar left-handed

Tunes he chose of "Gold and Roe" and "Castles Made of Sand"
He picked his favorite songs, including "Gold and Roe" and "Castles Made of Sand"

Social ills, his conscience willed a different type of song
He was concerned about society's issues, and he was inspired to create different content

Sang about "lead", click, bang! He's dead, he's long time gone
He wrote about the dangers of guns, but he ended up murdered by them

I remember an ebony prince who taught his brothers pride
I remember a black leader who taught his fellow people to have dignity

Said the black man's loss, just another cross on which another prophet has died
He claimed that every time a black leader dies, it's a loss to the community

Some people wanted them leaderless, a race of hungry pawns
Some people desired to have no leaders among the black population, instead having them follow blindly

Their solution to his revolution: To make him long time gone
Their solution to his expression of the need for change was killing him

Though some will object when you suspect
Although some may disagree when you speculate

That they cause to affect the cause and effect
That they play a role in the reaction to a cause

When you reflect on lives that were checked
When you consider the lives that were cut short

Still in retrospect the truth was neglected
Even in hindsight, the facts were disregarded

Though some will protect the order they pecked
However, some people will defend the system they're a part of

For failing to suspect the cleansing effect
For not considering the negative outcome of a situation

Till you they reject with a Haitian insect
Until they refuse you like a disease-ridden insect from Haiti

With AIDS they infect by a bite on the neck
They will attack you with AIDS, transmitting the disease via a bite on the neck

Like the Nazi correct, kill and dissect
Similar to Nazis, they will kill and dissect

"The inferior Sect", their race to protect
They work to protect their race while deeming others as inferior

I remember a gentleman who took his cause o far
I remember a man who was dedicated to his cause

Said not to be afraid but to parade and be just what you are
He urged people to be themselves without any fear or shame

Defied the name of guilt and shame, he proved his skeptics wrong
He didn't let guilt or shame define him, and he proved his doubters wrong

Must have said something wrong, 'cause now he's long time gone
However, he must have said something that someone didn't agree with, and he was taken away because of it