[Verse 1] They labeled the boxes with years I survived Stacked me in silver, cold and controlled Put my first voice on a government tape And called it precious when it turned old [Pre-Chorus] But I heard the wires humming I heard the locked room breathe I heard them say, “She used to burn” Like I had learned to leave [Chorus] There’s fire in the machine Smoke behind the screen You can archive the woman But the woman isn’t clean There’s fire in the machine Gold inside the gears I survived your velvet history I am still dancing here [Verse 2] They kept my dresses in paper Catalogued the red from my mouth Sold my shadow to younger girls Then wondered why the lights went out [Pre-Chorus] I heard the needles waking I heard the speakers plead I heard the future calling out With my own voice underneath [Chorus] There’s fire in the machine Smoke behind the screen You can archive the woman But the woman isn’t clean There’s fire in the machine Gold inside the gears I survived your velvet history I am still dancing here [Bridge] And yes, I was afraid When the new lights came But fear is only fuel When you set it near the flame [Final Chorus] There’s fire in the machine Smoke behind the screen You can archive the woman But the woman isn’t clean There’s fire in the machine Gold inside the gears I survived your velvet history I am still dancing here [Outro] Do not call me memory While I am breathing in the room Do not call me history When I am dancing through the fumes There’s fire in the machine If the archive burns tonight It’s because I’m still inside the machine.
