When they arrest a black man
They need 30 cops or more, well, now
When they arrest a black man
They need 30 cops or more, well, now, heyIf you a black herb smuggler
They will watch you by the hour
It only means that if you have more money
Then you have more powerThey will come in the night
And they will read you your rights
There is no need to fight
If you're black there is no need to fightWhen they arrest a black man
They need 30 cops or more, well, now
When they arrest a black man
They need 30 cops or more, well, now, heyYears ago a black man couldn't be a cop
They could only be great dancers
When the whole police department was white
Justice was The Black PanthersWe've been robbed of our religion
Our government and social position
And you won't see no quick solution
Until you see the black revolutionBut when them come to arrest a black man
They need 30 cops or more, well, now
When they arrest a black man
They need 30 cops or more, well, now, heyHe's gonna get across the border before we could catch him
Just let me draw a bead on his black ass and he's deadThey arrest us by the hour
'Cause the black man in the ghetto has power
If he would wake up and unite
The police department would lose the fightBut when them come to arrest a black man
They need 30 cops or more, well, now
When they arrest a black man
They need 30 cops or more, well, now, heyIf you a black herb smuggler
They will watch you by the hour
It only means that if you have more money
Then you have more powerThey will come in the night
And they will read you your rights
There is no need to fight
If you're black there is no need to fightBut when them come to arrest a black man
They need 30 cops or more, well, now
When they arrest a black man
They need 30 cops or more, well, now, heyHe's gonna get across the border before we could catch him
Just let me draw a bead on his black ass and he's deadHe's gonna make it, let the dogs go
No, I won't do it, he's got full, they've only got two
They'll tear him apart, I won't do it, let the dogs go
Turn loose those dogs