[Intro]
(41 shots, 41 shots, 41 shots, 41 shots)
(41 shots, 41 shots, 41 shots, 41 shots)
We need some quiet

[Verse 1]
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

[Chorus]
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)
It ain't no secret (It ain't no secret)
No secret, my friend
You get killed just for living in your American skin

(41 shots, 41 shots, 41 shots, 41 shots)

[Verse 2]
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
Promise Mama you'll keep your hands in sight"
[Chorus]
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)
It ain't no secret (It ain't no secret)
No secret, my friend
You get killed just for living in your American skin

(41 shots, 41 shots, 41 shots, 41 shots)

[Guitar Solo]

(41 shots, 41 shots, 41 shots, 41 shots)

[Chorus]
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)
It ain't no secret (It ain't no secret)

[Verse 3]
41 shots and we'll take that ride
'Cross this bloody river to the other side
41 shots, got my boots caked in this mud
We're baptized in these waters and in each other's blood
[Chorus]
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)
It ain't no secret (It ain't no secret)
It ain't no secret (It ain't no secret)
No secret, my friend
You can get killed just for living in
You can get killed just for living in
You can get killed just for living in
You can get killed just for living in
You can get killed just for living in
Your American skin

[Outro]
(41 shots) You can get killed just for living in
(41 shots) You can get killed just for living in
(41 shots) You can get killed just for living in
(41 shots) You can get killed just for living in
(41 shots) You can get killed just for living in
(41 shots) You can get killed just for living in
(41 shots) You can get killed just for living in
(41 shots) You can get killed just for living in