[Verse 1]
I’ve seen the barrel of a borrowed gun
Six inches from my name
A man in uniform smiling wide
Like mercy was a game
He said, “No one will ever know”
Said it soft, said it slow
That was power, that was truth
That was how the world was run
[Pre-Chorus]
They don’t need laws when fear will do
They don’t need justice when they’ve got you
On your knees, eyes shut tight
Praying you make it through the night
[Chorus]
They say obey or die
That’s the most powerful lie
Dress it up in flags and shields
Call murder “how order feels”
They say obey or die
And dare you to deny
‘Cause power doesn’t ask
Power only fires back
[Verse 2]
He stood between the boots and her
Said, “No, not today”
They took that as a challenge
A debt that had to be paid
Pepper in his eyes, gravel on his skin
Still he tried to rise again
And that’s when power took offense
To a man who wouldn’t bend
[Pre-Chorus]
They fear the ones who stand up straight
Who don’t accept their chosen fate
A voice, a step, a single “no”
Is all it takes to make them go
[Chorus]
They say obey or die
That’s the most powerful lie
Back turned, hands empty wide
Ten shots to prove who’s alive
They say obey or die
And call it justified
‘Cause power doesn’t flinch
Power only pulls the trigger
[Bridge] (drop music low, voice forward)
History’s screaming from the ground
You’ve heard this sound before
Every tyrant says the same damn thing
Right before the war
Silence is permission
Fear is how they win
Every time you look away
You’re letting them in
[Build] (drums return slowly)
They smell the fear in marble halls
They count the quiet, count the falls
Every empty chair, every hidden face
Is another inch they take
[Final Chorus] (full but restrained)
They say obey or die
But that’s not power—it’s a crime
Real strength stands in the light
Even knowing it might die
They say obey or die
But hear this battle cry
Power breaks when people stand
And say you don’t command my life
[Outro] (acoustic guitar only)
You don’t command my life
You don’t command my life