[Verse 1] I watched them take the rent Then take the sweat Then take the sleep From people like me A line of hands A line of pleas A line of men Bent in their knees They call it law They call it fate I call it theft With a polished face So I made a vow In a clenched-up jaw If they want a chain I’ll become the claw [Pre-Chorus] I said I’d be the hand That breaks the gate I said I’d be the scale That never sways No more begging No more kneeling No more paying For a life they’re stealing [Chorus] I was the hammer I was the cure I was the hammer I was the cure I made it fair I made it fear I made it fair I made it here [Verse 2] First it was the tax men Then the knives Then the ones who smiled And lied in ties I took their keys I took their rooms I took their names And called it room For every wound I gave a law For every law I wanted more The crowd said yes The crowd said build I heard applause And wanted still [Pre-Chorus] I said I’d be the hand That breaks the gate I said I’d be the scale That never sways But every crown Has a price to feed And every fix Needs some one to bleed [Chorus] I was the hammer I was the cure I was the hammer I was the cure I made it fair I made it fear I made it fair I made it here [Bridge] Now I hear my own boots Down empty halls And every rule Is my own call I see their faces In my eye Not spared by justice Just sorted by I raised the fist To stop the hand Now I decide Who gets to stand One last line Then I went cold The thing I hated I have become [Final Chorus] I was the hammer Now I am the door I was the hammer Now I need more I made it fair I made it fear I made it fair And I stayed here I wore the crown I learned the way The boot was me By yesterday
