[Verse 1]
41 shots
And we'll take that ride
Across the bloody river
To the other side
41 shots
Cut through the night
You're kneeling over his body in the vestibule
Praying for his life

[Pre-Chorus]
Is it a gun? Is it a knife?
Is it a wallet? This is your life
That ain't no secret (That ain't no secret)
It ain't no secret (It ain't no secret)
No secret, my friend
You get killed just for living in your American skin

[Chorus]
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots

[Verse 2]
41 shots
Mary gets her son ready for school
She says, "On these streets, Alex
You've got to understand the rules
If an officer stops you
Promise me you'll always be polite
And that you'll never ever run away
Promise Mama, you'll keep your hands in sight"
[Pre-Chorus]
Is it a gun? Is it a knife?
Is it a wallet? This is your life
That ain't no secret (That ain't no secret)
It ain't no secret (It ain't no secret)
No secret, my friend
You get killed just for living in your American skin

[Guitar Solo]

[Bridge]
Is it a gun? Is it a knife?
Is it a wallet? This is your life
That ain't no secret (That ain't no secret)
It ain't no secret (It ain't no secret)
That ain't no secret (That ain't no secret)

[Verse 3]
41 shots
And we'll take that ride
Across the bloody river
To the other side
41 shots
I got my boots caked with this mud
We're baptized in these waters
And in each other's blood
[Pre-Chorus]
Is it a gun? Is it a knife?
Is it a wallet? This is your life
That ain't no secret (That ain't no secret)
It ain't no secret (It ain't no secret)
No secret my friend
You get killed just for living in your American skin