(Verse 1)
We step the pavement, breath in time,
A ribbon of feet down the county line.
Broken doors and banners old,
We trade the fear for hands of gold.
(Pre-Chorus)
Hold this note — feel it climb,
One small spark, then the whole sky's on fire.
(Oooh, oooh)
(Chorus) [Call & Response]
Lead: Raise your voice, let the world hear,
Call: (Raise your voice)
Lead: We are the drum that wakes the streets,
Response: (We are the drum)
Lead: From whispered rooms to marching weeks,
Response: (From whispered rooms)
Tag: We ring the bell till justice breaks the sleep.
(Verse 2)
A mother counts the lunch she buys,
A classroom maps where futures rise.
A courthouse clock keeps tally slow,
Names on papers like rivers flow.
A ballot line hums dawn's own tune,
Old laws shaking like harvest moon.
(Pre-Chorus)
Hold this breath — count to three,
A rising chorus wants to be free.
(Oooh, oooh)
(Chorus) [Call & Response]
Lead: Raise your voice, let the world hear,
Call: (Raise your voice)
Lead: We are the drum that wakes the streets,
Response: (We are the drum)
Lead: From whispered rooms to marching weeks,
Response: (From whispered rooms)
Tag: We ring the bell till justice breaks the sleep.
(Bridge)
I used to fold my fear into my coat,
I watched my neighbor priced by another note.
Now I stand with my voice like a town bell's peel —
Sign the pages, teach the children what is real.
This is the hour: fix the laws, heal the seams,
Turn tender grief into bright, living dreams.
(Chorus) [Lift — Gospel Harmony]
Lead: Raise your voice, let the world hear,
Choir: (Raise your voice)
Lead: We are the drum that wakes the streets,
Choir: (We are the drum)
Lead: From whispered rooms to marching weeks,
Choir: (From whispered rooms)
Tag: We ring the bell till justice breaks the sleep.
(Final Chorus — Resolution)
Lead: Raise your voice, let the world hear,
Choir: (Raise your voice)
Lead: We are the drum that wakes the streets,
Choir: (We are the drum)
Lead: From whispered rooms to marching weeks,
Choir: (From whispered rooms)
Tag: We ring the bell — forever bound, and finally free.
(Outro)
Let this tune be the light we loan,
A lamp for strangers, a map for home.
Keep the rhythm, keep the plea:
For every soul, for all to be free.
