[Verse 1]
Wake up in the glowing cage
Blue glass on my tired face
Same script in a different frame
They rebrand the rust as grace
Plastic prophets on the screen
Selling comfort
Selling shame
Every headline tastes the same
Sugar-coating all the blame
[Pre-Chorus]
Who wrote this map inside my head?
Who set the price on every breath?
I feel the strings across my skin
I hear them pull
I won’t pretend
[Chorus]
I’m walking through this desert of the wires
They dress the chains in velvet
Call it “freedom” while it tightens
I’m burning through the program and the choir
(oh) I won’t be your reflection
I won’t kneel to your empire
In this desert of the wires
[Verse 2]
Boss man with the measured smile
Clock hands cutting through my soul
“Play nice
You might rise in time”
While he’s chewing on our hope
Children learn the sacred rule
Sit quiet
Swallow what you’re told
They call it “truth” inside the schools
But they never touch the soul
[Pre-Chorus]
Who hid the door behind my doubt?
Who taught my tongue to shut the sound?
I feel the static in my chest
I taste the fear
I spit it out
[Chorus]
I’m walking through this desert of the wires
They dress the chains in velvet
Call it “freedom” while it tightens
I’m burning through the program and the choir
(yeah) I won’t be your reflection
I won’t kneel to your empire
In this desert of the wires
[Bridge]
[Drums drop; low drone
Hand percussion
Whispered backing vocals]
They say “sleep
Don’t speak
Just eat
Obey”
But my bones remember
Older names
I carve them in the dust
Underneath your gates
I’m more than your number
More than your game (hey)
[Chorus]
I’m walking through this desert of the wires
You crown your pretty liars
Build a kingdom out of silence
I’m tearing at the mask that you require
(oh) I won’t be your reflection
I won’t kneel to your empire
In this desert of the wires
[Outro]
One step off your coded road
Bare feet on the secret stone
If this is all illusion shown
I choose the fire
Over your throne