[Verse 1] Calendar’s bleeding its last red square Cheap paper crown in my tangled hair Laugh Then I’m checking the headlines again Same old faces Same cold grin Neighbors set fireworks off too soon I flinch at the thunder above the moon Toast to “freedom” while my throat runs dry Glass in my hand Fear in my eye [Chorus] So here’s to the last year’s ghost May it haunt the ones who loved it most I’m raising my voice I’m raising my beer Singing “it gets better It gets better Right here” Yeah I’m scared of the hands on the throne But I’m not giving up my home I’ll shout till the sky turns clear I want a normal new year [Verse 2] Flag on the porch like a warning sign News on the screen like a landmine line They smile while they sharpen the old dark laws Shake my heart with their velvet claws But out on the street there’s a chalk-heart trail Kids drawing futures that might not fail Old folks marching with busted knees Breathing hope like a stubborn breeze [Chorus] [Bridge] [low vocal register] I feel that pit in my stomach roll When they chant about “order” and “saving souls” But I’ve got friends with drums and ink-stained hands We’re the crack in their perfect plans [whispered vocals] “Stay” when you’re tempted to run “Fight” when they tell you you’re done [crescendo] Stomp on the floorboards Shake up the doubt If they turn it up We’ll just shout back louder [Chorus]
