41 shots
And we'll take that ride
Cross this bloody river
To the other side

41 shots
Cut through the night
You're kneeling over his body in the vestibule
Praying for his life

Well
Is it a gun
Is it a knife
Is it a wallet
This is your life
It ain't no secret
It ain't no secret
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living
In your american skin

41 shots, 41 shots, 41 shots, 41 shots
41 shots 
Lena gets her son ready for school
She says On these streets Charles,
You've got to understand the rules
If an officer stops you
Promise me you'll always be polite
And that you'll never ever run away
And promise mama you'll keep your hands in sight

Well
Is it a gun
Is it a knife
Is it a wallet
This is your life
It ain't no secret
It ain't no secret
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living
In your american skin

41 shots, 41 shots, 41 shots, 41 shots
41 shots, 41 shots
Is it a gun
Is it a knife
Is it in your heart
Is it in your eyes
It ain't no secret
It ain't no secret
It ain't no secret
It ain't no secret

41 shots
And we'll take that ride
Cross this bloody river
To the other side

41 shots
And my boots caked in this mud
We're baptized in these waters
And in each others blood

Is it a gun
Is it a knife
Is it a wallet
This is your life
It ain't no secret
It ain't no secret
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living
You can get killed just for living
In your american skin