[Intro — Solo Rhodes chord, decay] What to the slave — is the Fourth of July [Verse 1] Born into bondage — broke the chain with borrowed books Taught himself to read by firelight — they missed what that overlooked Frederick — iron voice — the docks of Baltimore Every word a writ of freedom — knocking at the door He said your celebration is a sham — a hollow ring — while men in chains build your republic — liberty means nothing [Hook — Repeat ×3] The Iron Will — speaks the truth they tried to drown The Iron Will — picks the language up — won't put it down [Verse 2] Lincoln needed Douglass more than Douglass needed him The Black battalions at the front — the balance at the rim Recruitment speeches — Washington meetings — equal pay demand Frederick wrote the blueprint — put the vision in their hand [Bridge — forward link] Read the speech tonight — you'll hear it in tomorrow's news The orator who shakes the room — still choosing their own shoes From Ida B. to Alexandria — the voice refuses chains The iron in the will persists — whoever holds the reins [Hook — Repeat ×3] The Iron Will — speaks the truth they tried to drown The Iron Will — picks the language up — won't put it down [Outro] Ain't nothing changed — the argument's the same — who gets to be American — who owns the name
