In the Fourth Ward here in Houston On the west side of downtown Lies 80 blocks Of prime real estate lots In a place called Freedmen's Town The Freed Slaves built the neighborhood That was condemned as "urban blight" Their land was taken away By eminent domain To build apartments for the whites It was a land - grab - in Freedmen's Town Tearing National History down Cuz you can't fight City Hall When developers make the calls Now LaGuarta - he's a developer Who headed Houston Renaissance Mayor Bob Lanier Put that man in there To get 'im anything he wants They trashed the most historic homes Then they claimed that they're in debt They spent millions of dollars On affordable houses But we haven't seen one yet! Cuz it's a land - grab - in Freedmen's Town Where deals are made and handed down To the puppets at City Hall While developers have a ball We've asked through City Council, Garnet Coleman, and the Press To pay back those grants So we can buy the land To build a campus and fix this mess! Does it take an act of Congress To keep Freedmen's Town alive? Just call the Mayor up -- Extension twenty-two hundred Or the fax: two, three, five, five* And let's all - call - the Mayor now To stop the land grab in Freedmen's Town Why sit around City Hall While historic houses fall? Yeah, let's all - call - the Mayor Now And stop destruction of Freedmen's Town Why sit around City Hall While developers take it all? Why sit around City Hall And let developers take us all? * Mayor's Office: (713)247-2200 Mayor's Fax Line: (713)247-2355