Put down the guns, pick up a book
He picked up a gun and became a crook.
Put down the guns put down your fist
Open your ears and listen to this.
He had a knife, he had a gun
They had a fight, who you think won?
Put down the guns, pick up a book
He picked up a gun and became a crook.
Put down the guns, I’m on my knees
I’m praying to god, I’m begging you please.
Put down the guns, they really kill
Bullets they burn, when will they learn?
Put down the guns, we losing hope
Put down the guns, I can’t even cope
Put down the guns, pick up a book
He picked up a gun and became a crook.
Put down the guns, her baby dead
How can a baby get shot in the head?
Put down the guns, no more excuses
I feel so helpless, I feel so useless.
Put down the guns, we need a prayer
They done pissed off the police, they done pissed off the mayor.
Re-fund the police, they need a raise
So many bullets, so many strays.
Put down the guns, pick up a book
He picked up a gun and became a crook.
Put down the guns, he tried to rob me
He couldn’t aim, he did it sloppy
He shot a kid walking to school
Put down the guns, that’s when I lose my cool
Put down the guns, I’m not a judge
You not a thug, you need a hug
Put down the guns, open a book
He picked up a gun and became a crook.
Put down the guns.
Pookanu published what is now part one of “Put Down the Guns” in April 2018 after a series of mass shootings and demonstrations against gun violence, including the March for Our Lives and a national school walkout.