(Verse 1)
There’s a knock on the door before the sun comes up,
Kids cryin’ while their mama’s in cuffs.
Another family torn from their goddamn home,
While the suits in D.C. throw stones.
They talk about “law” and “order” on TV,
But what’s wrong with helping people eat for free?
They call it justice — I call it fear,
How the hell did we even get here?
(Chorus)
When did this become okay?
To starve the poor and lock ‘em away?
To build your walls and feed your hate,
Then bow your heads and fucking pray??
When did mercy die this way?
When did love just fade to gray?
I can’t breathe in the U.S.A.
When did this become okay?
(Verse 2)
They cut the SNAP cards, call it “reform,”
But I see hunger like a goddamn storm.
Ain’t no trickle down, it’s a fucking drought,
While billionaires just buy more clout.
ICE vans rolling down the block,
Metal doors slam — click, lock.
“Just following orders,” they say,
Guess who used to say that shit yesterday!!
(Chorus)
When did this become okay?
To tear the heart from a mother’s face?
To feed the rich and starve the brave,
And call that “freedom” every day?
When did mercy lose its way?
When did love just fade to gray?
I can’t breathe in the U.S.A.
When did this become okay???
(Bridge)
Maybe I’m crazy, maybe I care too much,
But I’m sick of the lies, the cold-blooded touch.
You wave that flag like a goddamn sword,
While the hungry are dying outside your door.
You say “Land of the free,” I say “Land of who?”
’Cause freedom don’t mean shit to you!!!
(Breakdown – spoken, bitter)
Yeah, I’m angry.
You should be too.
’Cause silence means you’re part of it.
And I ain’t part of this cruel, heartless,
broke-down, fucked-up view
of what America’s supposed to do.
(Final Chorus)
When did this become okay?
To let the light just burn away?
To turn our backs, to walk away,
Pretend we don’t see the pain today.
When did mercy die this way?
When did love just fade to gray?
I can’t breathe in the U.S.A.
When did this become okay?
(Outro)
I’m not proud — I’m pissed.
I’m not lost — I resist.
This ain’t the dream they said we’d live.
And I’ll scream until someone gives…
a damn!!!