[Verse 1]
For the light sleeper, the street sweeper
Promise breaker, promise keeper
The astronaut, the acrobat
The underdog who is coming back
Maybe you're Hooked on Phonics or Mary Jane
Coca-Cola or cocaine
We're just a different kind of the same, yeah
Sticks and stones can break you

[Chorus]
But words are medicine
Words are medicine
When I'm black and blue, I'm broken and bruised
I hear your voice again
Words are medicine

[Verse 2]
The beautician, the mortician
The blindsided, the night vision
The baptized, the chicken fried
The rolled tide, the unforgiven
For the girl who's lost in romance novels
The guy who sees through whiskey goggles
We're just a different kind of the same, yeah
Sticks and stones can break you
[Chorus]
But words are medicine
Words are medicine
When you're black and blue, you're broken and bruised
Just hear my voice again
Words are medicine

[Bridge]
I do, I will
I believe in you still
I have a dream, imagine
A shiny city on a hill
I'm sorry
Forgive me
I love you
I love you

[Chorus]
Words are medicine
Words are medicine
When you're black and blue, you're broken and bruised
Just hear my voice again
Words are medicine

[Outro]
Words are medicine
When we're black and blue, we're broken and bruised
I hear your song, my friend
And words are medicine
Words are medicine
Words are medicine
Words are medicine