I've been silent, I've spoken up
I've been proud and I've had enough
I've been everything under the sun
But I've never had to face the barrel end of a gun
I've lost brothers and countless men
I'm drenched in white, but I'm drying red
Strobe lights and a safe domain
Silenced and stilled in the wake of a rain
How many will it take
How many will it take
Before you defang the beast
Let us know it's okay to hide
When some of us are sure that we won't make it alive
Claim symbols from our enemies
But a nine millimetre isn't gonna be one of these
So I light a candle, once again
Our women aren't martyred, they're slaughtered, you monster
You're failing to recognise someone's daughter
How many will it take
How many will it take
Before you defang the beast
Yeah, how many will it take
How many will it take
Before you defang the beast
And I will give blood, if they'll let me
I will open up my heart
I will hold out palms of mercy
I will tear myself apart, 'cos
If I rip myself to pieces
It was done by my own hand
Yeah, you can't touch me anymore
You can't touch me anymore
Schools of victims won't sway speakers
Compassion's fire will come to you
'Cos the first pride was a riot, baby
And rioting's what I'm made to do
'Cos how many will it take
How many will it take
Before you defang the beast