He looked a lot like Che Guevara,  
drove a diesel van 
Kept his gun in quiet seclusion, 
such a humble man 
The only survivor of the National People's Gang 
Panic in Detroit, I asked for an autograph 
He wanted to stay home, I wish someone would phone 
 
Panic in Detroit 
 
He laughed at accidental sirens that broke the evening  
gloom 
The police had warned of repercussions 
 
They followed none too soon 
A trickle of strangers were all that were left alive 
Panic in Detroit, I asked for an autograph 
He wanted to stay home, I wish someone would phone 
 
Panic in Detroit 
 
Putting on some clothes I made my way to school 
And I found my teacher 
crouching in his overalls 
 
I screamed and ran to smash my favorite slot machine 
And jumped the silent cars that slept at traffic lights 
 
Having scored a trillion dollars,  
made a run back home 
 
Found him slumped across the table.  
A gun and me alone 
I ran to the window. Looked for a plane or two 
Panic in Detroit.  
He'd left me an autograph 
"Let me collect dust."  
I wish someone would phone 
 
Panic in Detroit