From the sorrow we created A fragile state of blood and whim Made for rich men in their white skin And people bolder than I Stood up to the lie That equality has left behind But it leaves no doubt in my mind And I been reading the news and you’ll surely regret If you don’t give us the ballot Expect the bayonet Don’t say I didn’t warn ya 'Cause for every man high upon the hog There’s a dogwood forest buried in the fog How naked is your eye And do you ever wonder why? You’re being asked to recompense You’re on the last leg of your defense So you better atone Or you’ll surely regret And if you don’t give us the ballot Expect the bayonet When the name came down I covered my ears afraid of the sound But we got the power to take back our nights Give up our silence and give up our time alone We’re not on our own Though violent minds hatch violent plans For many it’s the only thing they understand And when the dog whistle is ringing It’s the currency that they deal in So before the worlds been reduced to soot Solidarity for those underfoot I better remind ya Or you’ll surely regret And if you don’t give us the ballot Expect the bayonet