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!