I Don't Salute (Black Flag Unfurled cover) clear

[Verse 1] You don’t need tanks to rule a street, Just paperwork and patient lies, A thousand forms to make you kneel, A smiling face that never tries. They call it order, call it law, Call it calm, call it care, But every line is drawn to prove Who gets to breathe and who gets spared. [Pre-Chorus] They don’t kick doors, they drain you dry, They let the system do the crime. [Chorus] I don’t salute, I don’t belong, Your flag’s just cloth around a threat. You call this peace, you call this strong— I call it debt we never set. No faith, no fear, no promised trust, You broke us slow, not fast enough. [Verse 2] You legislate the shape of lives, Decide what hunger’s justified, Then cut the rope and praise yourselves For teaching people how to climb. Every election’s just a loan With interest paid in broken time, You trade tomorrow for control And call it “being realistic.” [Pre-Chorus] You don’t need guns when forms will do, A pen can starve a city too. [Chorus] I don’t salute, I don’t belong, Your oath is written to forget. You say “be patient,” say “be strong,” Like patience ever paid the rent. No faith, no fear, no sacred state, You taught us how to disobey. [Bridge] If this is safety, keep it far. If this is law, I’m out of line. If this is freedom, name the cost, And tell me who gets left behind. [Final Chorus] I don’t believe in your control, Your mercy comes with terms and fees. You rule by shrinking every soul Until obedience feels like peace. No gods, no kings, no guiding hand— Just people trying to fucking stand.