Linton Kwesi Johnson - Sonny's Lettah lyrics

rate me

From Brixton Prison, Jebb Avenue London S.W. 2 Inglan

Dear mama

good day

I hope that when these few lines reach you

they may find you in the best of health

Mama, I really doun know how to tell ya dis

'cauz I did mek a solemn promise

to tek care a lickle Jim

an try mi bes fo look out fo him

Mama, I really did try mi bes

but none da less

me sorry to tell ya seh, poor lickle Jim get arres

it was de miggle a di rush hour

when hevrybody jus a hustle and a bustle

to go home to dem evenin shower

mi an Jim stan up waitin pon a bus

not causin no fuss

when all on a sudden a police van pull up

out jump tree policeman

de whole a dem carryin baton

dem walk straight up to me and Jim

one a dem hold on to lickle Jim

seh dem tekin him in

Jim tell him to leggo a him

for him nah do nutt'n

and 'im nah t'ief, not even a but'n

Jim start to wriggle

de police start to giggle

Mama, mek I tell you wa dem do to Jim?

Mama, mek I tell you wa dem do to 'im?

Dem thump him him in him belly and it turn to jelly

Dem lick 'im pon 'im back and 'im rib get pop

Dem lick him pon him head but it tough like lead

Dem kick 'im in 'im seed and it started to bleed

Mama, I jus couldn't stan up deh, nah do nuttin'

So mi jook one in him eye and him started to cry

me thump him pon him mout and him started to shout

me kick him pon him shin so him started to spin

me hit him pon him chin an him drop pon a bin

- an crash, an dead

Mama, More policman come dung

dem beat me to the grung

dem charge Jim fo sus

dem charge mi fo murdah

mama, doan fret

doan get depress an downhearted

be of good courage

till I hear from you

I remain

Your son,

Sonny