41 shots,
and we*ll take that ride
Cross this bloody river
to the other side
41 shots,
Cut through the night
You*re kneeling over his body in the vestibule
Praying for his life
Is it a gun
Is it a knife
Is it a wallet
this is your life
It ain*t no secret
(it ain*t no secret)
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living in
your American skin
41 shots,
Lena gets her son ready for school
She says, "On these streets, Charles
You*ve got to understand the rules
If an officer stops you,
promise me you*ll always be polite
And that you*ll never ever run away
Promise Mama you*ll keep your hands in sight"
Is it a gun
Is it a knife
Is it a wallet
this is your life
It ain*t no secret
(it ain*t no secret)
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living in
your American skin
Is it a gun
is it a knife
Is it in your heart,
is it in your eyes
It ain*t no secret
(it ain*t no secret)
It ain*t no secret
41 shots,
and we*ll take that ride
Cross this bloody river
to the other side
41 shots,
I got my boots caked in this mud
Baptized in these waters
And in each other*s blood
Is it a gun
Is it a knife
Is it a wallet
this is your life
It ain*t no secret
(it ain*t no secret)
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living in
You can get killed just for living in
You can get killed just for living in
your American skin