[Intro]
Count the cracks in the office wall
Another sermon from a borrowed throne
[Verse 1]
The badge says calm, the ledger says obey
A polished boot decides the shape of day
You call it care with a clenched-up hand
Then wonder why the floor won't understand
[Pre-Chorus]
Raise the flag, repeat the phrase
Feed the furnace, praise the blaze
[Chorus]
The beatings will continue until morale improves
March in circles, call it progress, call it proof
The beatings will continue until morale improves
Smile for the order, keep your head inside the groove
[Verse 2]
A brass-mouth speech from a windowless room
Promises bloom, then they blacken and consume
The break-room clock has stopped at half-past fear
Still every mouth says everything is clear
[Pre-Chorus]
Sign the form, accept the blame
Paint a halo on the chain
[Chorus]
The beatings will continue until morale improves
March in circles, call it progress, call it proof
The beatings will continue until morale improves
Smile for the order, keep your head inside the groove
[Breakdown]
Kneel—stand
Kneel—stand
New command, same old hand
Kneel—stand
Kneel—stand
Cheer the cage and praise the brand
[Bridge]
But under desks, beneath the hum
A thousand quiet teeth become
No more slogans, no parade
No more debt for fear repaid
[Final Chorus]
The beatings will continue until morale improves
Now the walls are learning every word we threw
The beatings will continue until morale improves
Turn the keys together—watch the locked doors lose
[Outro]
Count the cracks
Count them loud
When the ceiling falls
It falls on every crowd