[Verse 1] Morning bell, torn shoes Empty lunch, split-screen news Small hands on a cracked phone Big world says, "You're on your own" Hallway heat, locker slam Everybody knows this same old jam Teachers tired, parents gone Kids learn fear before dawn [Pre-Chorus] And they say, "Just breathe" But the air feels thin Tired of running blind With a burn under my skin [Chorus] Youth of the nation, cooked Youth of the nation, cooked Hands up, hearts half-shot Told to dream, then told to stop Youth of the nation, cooked Youth of the nation, cooked We still scream in the dark Still got sparks in the dark [Verse 2] Cheap grace, high demand Sell your soul for a borrowed plan Pay to play, smile on cue Watch the best parts drain right through Back row kids, front row lies Truth gets buried under alibis Broken homes and loaded screens Everybody's chasing someone else's dream [Pre-Chorus] And they say, "Don't feel" Like it's all just noise But the ache gets loud When it eats your voice [Chorus] Youth of the nation, cooked Youth of the nation, cooked Hands up, hearts half-shot Told to dream, then told to stop Youth of the nation, cooked Youth of the nation, cooked We still scream in the dark Still got sparks in the dark [Bridge] Maybe we're bruised, not gone Maybe the worst cut made us strong Call our names, we'll answer back From the ash and the cracked glass [Final Chorus] Youth of the nation, cooked Youth of the nation, cooked Hands up, hearts half-shot Told to dream, then told to stop Youth of the nation, cooked Youth of the nation, cooked We still scream in the dark Still got sparks in the dark Youth of the nation, cooked Youth of the nation, cooked Not done yet, not gone cold Watch us turn this mess to gold
