Cover art for Angola Louisiana (Live 1983) by Gil Scott-Heron

Angola Louisiana (Live 1983)

1 viewer

Angola Louisiana (Live 1983) Lyrics

I've been painting a picture of Angola, Louisiana
Pictures of deals in back alleys where politicians often hide
But it's much more important to me than Angola, Louisiana
Got a lot to do with justice but more with Gary Tyler's life
I got a letter from his mother and said: "Please, say something to my son!"

Yeah but truth is: Angola, Louisiana, that's the one
Well, I ain't never been nowhere near Angola, Louisiana
Down in St. Charles Parish where the sun won't go alone
But injustice is not confined to Angola, Louisiana
Gotta locked in your living room
As long as it surrounds your home
I'm sending love to brother Tyler, but after all is said and done
Well, truth is: Angola, Louisiana, you're the one

I can't tell a man not to defend himself
With not at this late stage
Can't tell a man he ain't got no rights, nowhere
Well, not in this day and age
And this song may not touch a whole lot of people
Persuaded by the truth
But take a look at what's going on, people
'Cause this all could happen to you, yeah
Truth is just like

Well, I've been painting a picture of Angola, Louisiana
Down in St. Charles Parish, where the sun won't go alone
But injustice is not confined to Angola, Louisiana
Well, it can't walk in your living room
Brother Tyler, hold on, be strong, you're not alone
Well, I got a letter from his mother and said: "Please, say something to my son!"
Well truth is: Angola, Louisiana, you're the one
Oh I can up and I say it again
Angola, Louisiana, yeah, that's the one
Never been another one like that one, seem like
Angola, Louisiana, yeah, that's the one
One for Louise, don't forget Ana please
Angola, Louisiana, yeah, that's the one

Do you know, never been another one like that who same like
Angola, Louisiana, remind me
I'm doing fine, I could have been pulling time
I'm doing fine (you'll see), I could have been pulling time (I will)
I could have been pulling time (you'll see)
I could have been pulling time
I could have been pulling time down near where the sun 'nough don't shine
I couldn't lack of cloud of heaven
I couldn't lack of cloud of heaven
I couldn't lack of cloud of heaven
Block here all day so you don't find me
I'm doing fine, I could have been pulling time (You'll see)
I could have been pulling it and I feel like I could've been see well
Everytime I roll a joint, I could have been pulling time (You'll see it)
Everytime you rule, no one can denied cause' you know you rule it
I'm doing fine (you'll see), I could have been pulling time (You'll see)
I'm doing fine (you'll see), I could have been pulling and I say I
I could have been pulling time (You'll see)
I could have been pulling time (You'll see)
I could have been pulling time down near where the sun 'nough don't shine
I could have been pulling fine
I could have been pulling fine
I could have been pulling fine
I would never play no music then
I'm doing fine, I could have been pulling time (you'll see)
(I could have been, I say could have been
I do, I could have been, I know should have been)
I could have been pulling time
I could have been pulling time (you'll see)
I could have been pulling time down near where the sun 'nough don't shine no more

How to Format Lyrics:

  • Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
  • If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

To learn more, check out our transcription guide or visit our transcribers forum

About

Have the inside scoop on this song?
Sign up and drop some knowledge

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

  1. 4.
    Angola Louisiana (Live 1983)
  2. 25.
    The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (Live 1983) (Missing Lyrics)
Credits
Tags
Comments