[Verse 1]
They want me quiet, head down
Say “boy, don’t make no sound”
Same talk, different small town
Same hate, just a new crown
Grandma keep a Bible on the table
News play names, say it “wasn’t fatal”
Saw those photos, saw that knee
Now you really think that’s never me?
[Chorus]
I won’t go quiet in the night (nah)
Won’t be a hashtag, won’t be a sight
On a T-shirt, candlelight
I refuse to die that way, I’m gon’ fight
Hands up high but my voice raised higher
Heart like steel, soul on fire
You can chase my body, but you won’t take my right
I was born to breathe, I was born to fight (yeah)
[Verse 2]
Blue lights flash in my rearview
Mama said “call me if they near you”
Phone in my hand like a lifeline
Prayin’ I can make it past the stop sign
Kids on the bus learn the same drill
“Do what they say, try to stay still”
Why my skin gotta be a crime?
Why we still bleedin’ from a past time?
[Chorus]
I won’t go quiet in the night
Won’t be a hashtag, won’t be a sight
On a T-shirt, candlelight
I refuse to die that way, I’m gon’ fight
Hands up high but my voice raised higher
Heart like steel, soul on fire
You can chase my body, but you won’t take my right
I was born to breathe, I was born to fight
[Bridge]
From the dirt roads to the concrete
Same fear when the law speak
But I got roots deep, I got spine
Got a long line standin’ right behind
Say my name while I’m still alive (say it)
Let me march, let me testify (yeah)
If I fall, I won’t fall in shame
I’ll fall standin’ tall, callin’ out your game (hey!)
[Chorus]
I won’t go quiet in the night
Won’t be a hashtag, won’t be a sight
On a T-shirt, candlelight
I refuse to die that way, I’m gon’ fight
Hands up high but my voice raised higher
Heart like steel, soul on fire
You can chase my body, but you won’t take my right
I was born to breathe, I was born to fight (born to fight)