They picked her up walking the wrong part of Memphis

In skin the wrong colour, the wrong kind of clothes

Her turn to be printed, an officer calls out

“Get over here, faggot,” but nobody goes.

    My name isn’t faggot, my name isn’t he-she

    You want me to answer, then call me by name

    I won’t take your insults, I don’t break so easy

    I’ll keep my dignity, you keep your shame.

McCrae wrapped a handcuff around leather knuckles

And struck seven times at her skull and her face

A cop held her down, the rest kept their distance

She got to her feet and he sprayed her with mace.

    Chorus

They dropped all the charges and fired a rookie

McCrae’s at a desk while they investigate

Just how did this happen, a man of his stature

And how did the news get a hold of that tape?

        Chorus

Chords: (3/4)

      G                          C            G

They picked her up walking the wrong part of Memphis

     C             G            C             D

In skin the wrong colour, the wrong kind of clothes

     G                     C        G

Her turn to be printed, an officer calls out

     C           G            D      G

“Get over here, faggot,” but nobody goes.

    C                     G

My name isn’t faggot, my name isn’t he-she

     G                                  D

You want me to answer, then call me by name

   C                          G             Em

I won’t take your insults, I don’t break so easy

G             C        D              G

I’ll keep my dignity, you keep your shame.