People gather in pairs, in groups, in crowds To remember these words whispered like a shout out loud Nothing noble, but still truly profound You would need to listen hard, listen for their sound The people watching did whatever they could The man who kneeled on his neck I’m sure he understood I can’t breathe, man Eight minutes and forty six seconds was what it took To extinguish one flame, ignite the fire in the roots No one knew this spark could enflame people so quick Branch to branch, leaf to leaf, word of mouth like rubbing two sticks These words make it clear, there’s no compromises here I can't breathe, man! I can't breathe, man! <guitar solo> The riot gear, disregard of human rights, the gas bringing up tears The chants of the protestors are still ringing in my ears We may be black, white, brown, yellow, red What’s the reason more of one color ends up dead? Those words are shouted, there are no compromises here I can't breathe, man All the while an orange man leers and smiles Refusing blame for everything but stoking the fire with his words Speaking in forked tongue things his people want to hear While the rest of us stand in horror, our eyes filled with tears In frustration we march, chant these words and stand our ground I can't breathe, man! I can't breathe, man! I can't breathe, man!

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