"Southern Cop"

Sterling A. Brown

Anand Agrawal

March 21, 2007

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Let us forgive Ty Kendricks.
The place was Darktown.  He was young.                                                                                   
His nerves were jittery.  The day was hot.                                                                                 
The Negro ran down the alley.                                                                                                        
And so Ty shot.

Let us understand Ty Kendricks.                                                                                                 
The Negro must have been dangerous,                                                                                  
Because he ran;                                                                                                                                
And here was a rookie with a chance                                                                                                  
To prove himself a man.

Let us condone Ty Kendricks                                                                                                  
If we cannot decorate.                                                                                                         
When he found what the Negro was running for,                                                                                 
It was too late;                                                                                                                   
And all we can say for the Negro is                                                                                                     
It was unfortunate.

Let us pity Ty Kendricks.                                                                                                                  
He has been through enough,                                                                                                              
Standing there, his big gun smoking,                                                                                                 
Rabbit scared, alone,                                                                                                             
Having to hear the wenches wail                                                                                            
And the dying Negro moan.