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Under The Devil's Knee

by Tre Burt

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about

From Tré Burt:

“Humanity feels like it’s slipping away from us, as a country. I wanted to reinstate the humanity of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner and so many other brothers and sisters slain by police in the way I know how. I wanted to immortalize their dignity and make the work easy for future historians and remind the present that no matter what side of the aisle you’re on, this is about actual pain and real human suffering caused by a system of governance that is morally bankrupt. This I felt was my duty as an American songwriter to do. Music is a powerful force, especially when you put it through a protest song. It makes the fight more tangible. Reframes perspective. None of which entered my mind when writing this, at all. That was out of anger. I wrote this song out of anger. They should all be alive.”

“Tré Burt is a grand artist and freedom fighter straight out of my hometown of Sacramento! This powerful song takes us to the heart of our historical moment: fighting with dignity for justice in the face of hatred and injustice!!” - Dr. Cornel West

Support the Community Justice Exchange’s National Bail Fund Network Here: secure.actblue.com/donate/bailfundscovid

lyrics

Under the devil's knee oh lord, I'm under the devil's knee
screamin' I cannot breathe oh lord, from under the devil's knee

When George Floyd was a young boy in a project called The Bricks
it was hard to see a way out of Houston, Texas
all them kids would tease him because of where he lived
but he never planned to stay long a Cuney Homes kid
yes his love for basketball got him a scholarship
all the way at South Florida State

He came back after 2 years/ lookin for a job
but got wrapped back up in bullshit/ pled guilty to the law
George came outta prison with his head on straight
teachin' all the neighborhood children the good ol christian way
till his life was taken from him for no reason but his race
on the twenty-fifth of May

Under the devil's knee oh lord, I'm under the devil's knee
screamin' I cannot breathe oh lord, from under the devil's knee

Eric was his first name and Garner was his last
yes he hailed from New York City and had to grow up fast
all he learned from highschool was how to fix a car
cos the state don't fund the schools where them brown kids are
in a system built to fail him and incentivised to charge
he just did what he had to do

Out on Staten Island on a hot day in July
like a man of peace that he was, breakin' up a fight
officer Pantaleo, that crooked little swine
he put Eric in a chokehold and squeezed away his life
he left behind 6 children, and stolen from his wife
I curse the day you ever opened up your eyes

Under the devil's knee oh lord, I'm under the devil's knee
screamin' I cannot breathe oh lord, from under the devil's knee

In Louisville, Kentucky, the DA and the mayor
they have yet to charge the 3 thugs who killed Breonna Taylor
they broke into her home at midnight unannounced
without badges or a warrant/ so Kenny stood his ground
to protect the woman he loved/ and they fired 20 rounds
at the window, through the curtains from outside

Breonna worked the long shift, had dreams to be a nurse
how I wish I coulda saved her from this American Curse
don't tell me your position/ don't need no sympathy
yea your bleeding heart's complicit if you ain't in the street
now's the time to use that privilege and wake up from your sleep
or get out the way/ we ain't waitin' for next time

under the devil's knee oh lord I'm under the devil's knee
oh I'm screamin I cannot breathe my lord
from under the devil's knee

credits

released September 22, 2020
Featuring Our Native Daughter's Allison Russell, Leyla McCalla an L.A. songwriter Sunny War.

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Tre Burt Sacramento, California

Instagram @ treburt

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