[Verse 1] In the year of seventy-two They drew a fence in the sand Locked the shine behind a lock Said, "Keep off" with a tan But the tide kept countin' And the gulls kept track Every wave came talkin' Saying, "Take that land back" [Pre-Chorus] Mama came with a folding chair Kid had a pail in hand Daddy wore his work boots And we all made a stand [Chorus] Beach please, let it breathe Beach please, let us see Woman, child, and man On the coastline sand Beach please, let it breathe Beach please, let it be If the ocean's free to run Then the shore belongs to everyone [Verse 2] Rich folks built their gates high Polished brass and pride But a sandbar don't belong To the ones who buy the sky We marched down Highway One With calloused hands and heat Signs read "Public coast" Stamped right into the street [Pre-Chorus] They called us trouble, called us loud Called us rough and rude We just pointed at the water Said, "That's for me and you" [Chorus] Beach please, let it breathe Beach please, let us see Woman, child, and man On the coastline sand Beach please, let it breathe Beach please, let it be If the ocean's free to run Then the shore belongs to everyone [Bridge] I seen that moonlight hit the breakers Like silver on a blade I seen old men cry for access For the first time in their days One sign, one fence, one courtroom Can’t chain up the sea What kind of country picks and chooses Who gets salt and who gets breeze? [Final Chorus] Beach please, let it breathe Beach please, let us see Woman, child, and man On the coastline sand Beach please, let it breathe Beach please, let it be If the ocean's free to run Then the shore belongs to everyone [Outro] Let the babies chase the foamy line Let the mothers walk proud and slow Let the working hands hit the water Where the whole wide public oughta go Beach please
