Attica State
John Lennon · Lennon - Signature Box [2010]
to introduce a young man and his wife.
Who saw fit to put down in music
and lyrics
so that it will never be forgotten
in our country,
by anyone,
the tragedy of Attica State.
There's no more that I can say, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to introduce to you John and Yoko Lennon."
(Hello, hello)
-"i'd just like to say, it's an honour and a pleasure to be here at the
apollo and for the reasons we're all here.
This song, yoko and I wrote, is called 'Attica State'"
One, two, three, four!
What a waste of human power,
What a waste of human lives.
Shoot the pris'ners in the towers,
Forty-three poor widowed wives.
Attica state, attica state,
We're all mates with attica state.
Media blames it on the pris'ners,
But the pris'ners did not kill.
"rockefeller pulled the trigger,"
That is what the people feel.
Attica state, attica state,
We're all mates with attica state.
Free the pris'ners, jail the judges,
Free all pris'ners ev'rywhere.
All they need is truth and justice,
All the want is love and care.
Attica state, attica state,
We're all mates with attica state.
They all live in suffocation,
Let's not watch them die in sorrow.
Now's the time for revolution,
Give them all a chance to grow.
Attica state, attica state,
We're all mates with attica state.
Come together, join the movement,
Take a stand for human rights.
Fear and hatred clouds our judgement,
Free us all from endless night.
Attica state, attica state,
We're all mates with attica state.
Attica state, attica state,
We all live in attica state.
Attica state, attica state,
Attica, attica, attica state.
-"thank you, aah, thank you, thank you, aah, some of you, eh, wonder what
I'm doinG here with no drummers and no nothin' like that.
Well, you might know I lost my me old band, or I left it. I'm puttin' a, I'm
puttin' an elecric band together, it's not ready yet.
Ah, things like this keep comin' up so, I just have to busk it. so I'm gonna
sing you a song now you might know
It's called 'imagine'"
Attica State
Attica State stands as a poignant song in John Lennon's posthumous discography, capturing the raw energy of his final years. The track reflects the political consciousness that defined much of his later work, addressing the social unrest and tragedy associated with the Attica prison uprising. Musically, the recording showcases Lennon's ability to blend rock instrumentation with urgent, socially aware songwriting. It serves as a testament to his enduring relevance and his commitment to using music as a vehicle for commentary. The song remains a significant piece for fans exploring the breadth of his catalogue, offering insight into the themes that occupied him during a transformative period in his career.