1947 - Funky DL, Xantoné Blacq, Lei-an

It’s 1947 town and there’s some rumours floating round

But I don’t know, I don’t know

Gals and Gangsters on the prowl, I heard something bad is going down

But I don’t know, I don’t know

Verse One

It’s 1947 and I’m sitting in my ritzy joint

Sipping on a whiskey on the rocks

The barmaid dame points over to the door where I see

This hotshot out of town reporter walks over shows me a mug shot

And says «I'm looking for the Big Cheese Mickey Four Thumbs»

I told him «I ain’t seen him» and he asked me

«do you know some of Mickey’s goons like Little Charlie Raincoat?»

I told him «Certainly but he skipped town weeks ago

I didn’t catch your name you got a nerve coming up in here

Asking me these questions so I’m asking what’s the big idea?

Why I oughta, who are you some kind of wise guy?

Beat it you ain’t nobody in here, you just a fly by»

He said «don't blow your top I got something you need Jack»

Then reached into his pocket and pulled out a dozen Greenbacks

«huh, now you’re talking let me see that picture once more

Oh yeah Mickey, you might find him at the Drugstore»

Verse Two

The reporter said «swell gee Jack that’s might nice of ya»

He split from out the joint and then he hopped in to a Chrysler jalopy

Then I quickly gave Mickey a call and explained

He said «don't worry he ain’t nothing but a meatball

He’s from the Big Apple and get a load of this

He thinks I was involved in that case from 46'

With what’s his face?

Chrome Dome the bald guy and some doll

You know the one that Johnny let him have it and got bumped off»

«the one who wore the Alligator shoes and always had the hots

For Mary down the road?

You mean Pauli» «yeah that stupid klutz

He knocked off a bank last year and tried to frame me

And plus he owes me money tried to scram and didn’t pay me

So me and my Gorillas went to see his old lady»

«hmm is that the one in hospital?

Was that you Mickey?

«maybe»

«but she won’t talk, matter fact I think she can’t talk»

«and plus the fact she won’t be going nowhere till she can walk»

Verse Three

«The reporter’s pulling in;

I can see him out the window»

«so what you gone do Mickey?»

«Whichever way the wind blows

Jack let me handle this and call you back shortly

He’s only a reporter so all he can do’s report me

What he think, I’m small time and get the Heebie Jeebies?

Cos I can click my fingers and he’d wish he didn’t see me

I’ll make him cop a slave then I’ll put him on the payroll

And if he doesn’t swing for it I’ll hit him with a table

So if he wants rhubarb, he’s come to the right place

But this is not the right place to get to keep a nice face»

«look see Mickey, hey some customers just came in

Plus it’s hard to hear ya cos the band just started playing

Let me know what happens when I speak to you tonight

And be careful cos the cops are everywhere in black and whites»

Just before I hung up the phone my heart stopped

Cos I heard a gun go off and Mickey got shot!

Outro Chorus

It’s 1947 town and there’s some rumours floating round

But I don’t know, I don’t know

Gals and Gangsters on the prowl, I heard something bad is going down

But I don’t know, I don’t know

I gotta grab my bag and scram, don’t want no one knowing who I am

That I know, that I know

Don’t want no cops harassing me or nobody else to be asking me

No questions cos I don’t know

It’s 1947 town and there’s some rumours floating round

But I don’t know, I don’t know

Gals and Gangsters on the prowl, heard something bad is going down

But I don’t know, I don’t know, yay-ay