[Verse 1] They came in black hats and Bibles Ash on their breath Eyes like flint Named us in smoke and in rumors Carved their fear into fresh-split lint Ropes on the rafters Wood in the wagons Children taught our names like sin But the wind carried more than their sermons It carried the fire tucked under my skin [Chorus] You wanted witches? You got ‘em now Every curse you cast We’re calling it down From the gallows’ shadow To your front gate We turn your holy water Into iron-tasting hate You wanted witches? Hear us sing We are the fire You tried to bring [Verse 2] They weighed us with stones in the river Waited for lungs to give in Laughed while the current climbed higher Bet their souls we could never swim But I walked out dripping and smiling River weeds crowned in my hair Moon on my tongue like a dagger And ten thousand sisters behind me there [Chorus] You wanted witches? You got ‘em now Every curse you cast We’re calling it down From the gallows’ shadow To your front gate We turn your holy water Into iron-tasting hate You wanted witches? Hear us sing We are the fire You tried to bring [Bridge] Name every girl you buried in rumor Every widow you bled in the tithes Every healer you burned as a warning We carry them all in our eyes (our eyes) I am the spark in their stories I am the hand on the flame I am the wronged The returned The relentless Say my curse I answer my name (hey!) [Chorus] You wanted witches? You got ‘em now Every curse you cast We’re calling it down From the gallows’ shadow To your front gate We turn your holy water Into iron-tasting hate You wanted witches? Hear us sing We are the fire We are the fire We are the fire You tried to bring
