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Fire is Yellow

from Unless It Isn't by John Allee

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about

"Fire is Yellow" was inspired by real events at the Imperial Food Products chicken processing plant in Hamlet, North Carolina in1991. The fire killed 25 people and injured 54, many of whom were unable to escape due to locked exits. It was the second deadliest industrial disaster in North Carolina's history.

lyrics

Fire is Yellow
words and music by John Allee

Emmett Roe locked the doors
On twenty five desperate southern souls
Trying to work their nine to fives

He locked the doors – Kept ‘em tight
He never did care that they all might
End up fighting for their lives

Fire is yellow
The color of the moon
Your mama will be prayin’ for you soon
Fire is yellow
Its reaches only spread
Your mama will be cryin’ when you’re dead

Emmett Roe liked to say
He never did trust them anyway
Stealing chicken parts and such

It all adds up – every dime
The cigarette breaks, the wasted time
“I ain’t no sucker – Not so much”

Fire is yellow
The color of a snake
The more you try to give, the more they take
Fire is yellow
And colors like to run
They do a lot of damage when they’re done

Emmett Roe got a call
Said that a fire killed them all
When the fryer caught a flame

The workers ran, they couldn’t see
And only one man had the key
But there’s a hundred men to blame

Fire is yellow
The color of disease
Your mama will be fallin’ on her knees
Fire is yellow
It’s greedy and it’s hot
Your mama will be missin’ you a lot

© 2007

credits

from Unless It Isn't, released June 1, 2007
John Allee, piano and vocals; Kevin Holmes, guitar; John Harvey, drums

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all rights reserved

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about

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John Allee Los Angeles, California

John Allee is an American actor, singer and songwriter. He is a recipient of the ASCAP/Sammy Cahn Award for excellence in lyric writing and his music has been featured in regional theatre, and on TV. His latest album is 'Bardfly' (“Fantastic!”- Jazz Weekly, “Otherworldly, super-literate and supremely swinging” – Broadway World, “A standout” - All About Jazz) ... more

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