[Verse 1] Flashing lights cut through the night, another siren scream Tent cities line the boulevard where hope forgot to dream Ash from hills and broken trust rain down like blackened snow Politicians make their vows but never stem the blow [Pre-Chorus] Promises rot while the streets decay Every voice drowned in the endless fray [Chorus] Taxes climb as futures fade Dreams collapse where fortunes played Fire eats the skyline’s breath Here you pay a living death [Verse 2] Concrete breaks beneath the weight of endless traffic grind Lost hours, lost lives, broken faith in every broken line Civic kings with silver tongues sell gold that turns to dust The people pay, the power stays, corruption feeds its trust [Pre-Chorus] Promises rot while the streets decay Every voice drowned in the endless fray [Chorus] Taxes climb as futures fade Dreams collapse where fortunes played Fire eats the skyline’s breath Here you pay a living death [Bridge] Sirens echo through the night — crimes no law will tame Wildfire smoke and desperate cries, but nothing ever changes Empty pledges, rising tolls, the city takes, devours souls Hope is crushed beneath its load — abandon every road [Outro] Taxes climb as futures fade Dreams collapse where fortunes played Fire eats the skyline’s breath Here you pay a living death
