[Verse 1] In the hall with gilded posters, they line up two by two They chant the same small answers like the stories they've been through The leader grins and points the way, a paper crown of lies Hands raised for Cult .45, where every truth complies [Pre-Chorus] Flags sewn with borrowed slogans, hymns recycled loud They trade their doubts for uniforms and wear the leader proud [Chorus] Oh, Cult .45 — paper crown, hollow oath, polished lie You gather lonely people, teach them how to cry You promise simple safety, call dissent a crime Bind the town in slogans, sell the hours one at a time [Verse 2] They meet in painted basements, backyard grills at night Text chains hum the talking points that keep the anger tight Initiates earn badges, the old guard holds the keys Ask too many questions — they show you how to leave [Call & Response (Leader ↔ Crowd)] "Who keeps us safe?" ("You do, oh leader!") "Who keeps us strong?" ("We follow you along!") "Who decides what's wrong?" ("You tell us what is wrong!") "And who protects our home?" ("Cult .45 protects our home!") [Pre-Chorus] Recruiters at the rallies hand out fear with smiling charms Neighbors nod and look away when someone begs for arms [Chorus] Oh, Cult .45 — paper crown, hollow oath, polished lie You gather lonely people, teach them how to cry You promise simple safety, call dissent a crime Bind the town in slogans, sell the hours one at a time [Bridge (direct, consequential)] A daughter stops returning calls, her mailbox full of dust A farmer sells his tractor 'cause the price of truth is rust The shelter fills with mothers who were told to look away Someone writes the first complaint but buries it in clay [Verse 3 (escalation)] They patrol the boundaries of the block with righteous, stinging words They write their myths as ordinances and pause the lesser thirds Those who step outside their pages find their names turned cold and still Cult .45 keeps out the daylight, offers fever for a thrill [Chorus (defiant)] Oh, Cult .45 — paper crown, hollow oath, polished lie We hear the silenced sobbing and the practiced alibi You promise iron order but you feed the hungry fear We’ll sing against the ritual until the walls come down from here [Finale (hopeful)] Take down the pennants slowly, count the cost and tend the flames Undo the knots of loyalty — return the truth to claim Cult .45 can keep its crown; we’ll build a kinder kind One hand for help, one hand to hold, and leave no one behind
