and is clearly the tag to the 2d line in the verse, not the start of the 3d line.

It's even written the way I (along with, seemingly, everyone except you) hear it in the lyrics published on Public Enemy's site.
http://www.publicenemy.com/album/10/33/fight-the-power.html

Not that you're not entitled to hold it, but... your interpretation simply does not make any sense.

-------
so I'm in a band now:
album ---> http://greenwoodburns.bandcamp.com/releases
Soundcloud ---> http://soundcloud.com/greenwood-burns

my own stuff -->http://soundcloud.com/lonesomedstringband

avy by buckshot_defunct