[Verse 1: Gil Scott-Heron] It stands out on a highway Like a creature from another time It inspires the babies' questions—"What's that?" For their mothers as they ride But no one stopped to think about the babies or How they would survive And we almost lost Detroit This time How would we ever get over Losing our minds? [Verse 2: Gil Scott-Heron] Just thirty miles from Detroit There stands a giant power station It ticks each night as the city sleeps Seconds from annihilation But no one stopped to think about the people Or how they would survive And we almost lost Detroit This time How would we ever get over Over losing our minds? [Verse 3: Gil Scott-Heron] The sheriff of Monroe county had I'm sure enough disasters on his mind And what would Karen Silkwood say to you If she was still alive? That when it comes to people's safety Money wins out every time And we almost lost Detroit This time, this time How would we ever get over Over losing our minds? [Verse 4: Gil Scott-Heron] You see, we almost lost Detroit That time Almost lost Detroit That time And how would we ever get over... ‘Cause odds are We're gonna lose somewhere one time Odds are We're gonna lose somewhere sometime And how would we ever get over Losing our minds? And how would we ever get over Losing our minds? Didn't they, didn't they decide? When we almost lost Detroit That time Damn near totally destroyed One time People all over the world know Say, didn't you know? People all over the world know Say, didn't you know when? We almost lost Detroit Damn near totally destroyed Yes, or will one morning See it clear as day I'm sitting here, giving you warning