Daddy was a cop
On the east side of Chicago
Back in the U S A
Back in the bad old daysIn the heat of a summer night
In the land of the dollar bill
When the town of Chicago died
And they talk about it stillWhen a man named Al Capone
Tried to make that town his own
And he called his gang to war
Against the forces of the lawI heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night it really was
Brother what a fight it really was, glory beI heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a fight the people saw, yes indeedAnd the sound of the battle rang
Through the streets of the old east side
'Til the last of the hoodlum gang
Had surrendered up or diedThere was shouting in the street
And the sound of running feet
And I asked someone who said
'Bout a hundred cops are deadI heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night it really was
Brother what a fight it really was, glory beI heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a fight the people saw, yes indeedThen there was no sound at all
But the clock upon the wallThen the door burst open wide
And my daddy stepped inside
And he kissed my mama's face
And he brushed her tears awayThe night Chicago died
The night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a fight the people saw, yes indeedThe night Chicago died
The night Chicago died
Brother what a night it really was
Brother what a fight it really was, glory be