[verse]
God knows I tried and I ain’t cried in a minute
Release the pain and break the chains and let them find how I’m feeling
Until I’m finished…
Other times I be smiling in image
Let these lines, redefine how your mind shapes the picture
I’m at a standstill ..
I embrace my inner child but realize that I’m the man-still
Breaking news, this just in-another man killed
Justin was his name, a senseless victim of this game
His mother cries,—to open his eyes, I hope his fam heals
While I roll up,-
the devil sips from a cup full of black tears
I get high enough, so I ain’t gotta worry bout “what’s real?”
Hear me now, it won’t ever get no better
Unless we all- do our part
Stop the violence. -And work together!
[Hook]
They say time gon’ heal us all… (mmm-mm)
But we still bleed through the fall…
Another name written on the wall—
How many more ‘fore we answer the call?
(Yeah…)
We cry loud in the silence,
Die young in the violence,
But still prayin’ for guidance—
Lord, we need peace in the streets,
Peace in the mind,
Peace just to breathe…
Before we all flatline…
[Verse]
Remember the times?
We used to play football in the streets?-like all the time?
That was an age before-the world became so littered with crime.
We had to pray that god would take us away-
Another day!
At least thats what my grandmama would probably say
But hey,
We went to church just to rehearse -our lines
In case the day -ever came-our mothers burst out crying!
Lord save us!!
It’s like he gave a pass to these dummies and just forbade-us
From ever taking action….
But still-guess what we were made of?
To follow the rules and all laws, knowing got damn well
I grew smart enough to realize all this shit here is made up!
So I no longer follow the rules.
Or give a fuck about the way that this society views-another stranger
[Hook]
They say time gon’ heal us all… (mmm-mm)
But we still bleed through the fall…
Another name written on the wall—
How many more ‘fore we answer the call?
(Yeah…)
We cry loud in the silence,
Die young in the violence,
But still prayin’ for guidance—
Lord, we need peace in the streets,
Peace in the mind,
Peace just to breathe…
Before we all flatline…
[soft, broken voice, almost whispering]
Maybe we numb to it now…
Another candlelight vigil
Another hoodie with a face on it
Another “R.I.P.” in bold fonts—
But no justice, just judgment… and reposts.
They say, “hold your head…”
But what if holding your head means holding your tears back
Til they drown you inside instead?
We tired…
Of watching mothers bury sons.
Of being taught survival instead of how to live.
So if I gotta be the voice…
Then I won’t stay silent.
Even if it hurt,
Even if they ain’t listening,
Even if I’m the last one crying out for peace…
I’ll cry loud.
Before we all flatline…
[echoed female harmony]:
“…before we all flatline…”
“…before we all flatline…”
(music fades out)
BlackREVIVEDDC
