money changes hands

galveston tx / lovejoy ga 1988

lawman's got something he wants to say
but he can't explain it.
so he steals my money, sends me on my way
and pursues a black man in a banged up buick.

some brother heading home from work.
he tosses a bone out the window and burns a hole in his shirt
blue lights flash  money changes hands.
and the shit it puts him through  the judge don't give a damn.

not when he calls to order  not when he reads the name
states the crime and how much he'll pay.
which is the crime here?  who should we scorn?
the man with the hammer or the man on the floor?