It was a composition written for the Harlem Six, a case in which six black men were arrested for a murder and only one was responsible.
The sample was picked from tapes of interviews, where one of the innocent men was recalling how he'd had to demonstrate that he'd been beaten because the police were denying him medical attention - "I had to, like, open the bruise up, and let some of the bruise blood come out to show them". It showcases Reich's work with phasing techniques where a sample or melody is played together and moves in and out of sync.
I've used 'It's Gonna Rain II' to blow people's minds in the past.
An old-school anthem we used to take to mean as 'anti-nazi skinhead' and now reminds me of some of the the alt-right youth of today.
Quote:
"Fight The Youth"
And now another story of stolen faith and tragic glory
They claim to be your friends but all the while they taunt you with lies
They tell you what to think and how to face the world around you
You never question what you know inside is lax and untrue
But take a look around
We're not running anymore
We're in the positive
But we're ready for the war...For the war
Fight the Youth--
The Youth with poisoned minds
Ignite the truth--
Restore sight to these blind
Fight the youth--
The youth with poisoned minds
And if they suffer it's no fault but their own
And every time I see the hatred that engulfs these children
It makes me wonder if the quest for peace will someday subside
I'm not afraid to wage the hopeless battles I must fight
For I could never lose, I know my cause shines in the light
Take a look around
We're not hiding anymore
Your weapon's cowardice
And we won't take it anymore...Anymore
And all the feelings of a generation fed with anger
Make all the choices for a future where all nightmares come true
I choose to fight for youth, to fight for truth, to fight for justice
I choose to heal the wounds of sacrifice made by the children