Lyrics
I saw it on the television
I witnessed an event on television
A podium, a suit, a tie
A figure on a podium wearing a suit and tie
And I didn't know what happened
Uncertain about the events or the gravity of the situation
Or think, what a scary way to die
Reflecting on the frightening nature of death
I just thought he looked so hurt
Noticed the person seemed emotionally distressed
As if he'd seen rain clouds in the sky
Expressing emotional pain, possibly influenced by external factors
I was too young to think to wonder
At a young age, didn't question the cause of the distress
What had made him cry
Curiosity about the reason behind the emotional reaction
We're memorizing code alarms
Learning and internalizing security procedures
Shield each other in our arms
Seeking protection and support from others
You looked us in the eye and said it's freedom
Authoritative statement linking actions to the concept of freedom
We're clutching legs of classroom chairs
Gripping the legs of chairs in a classroom setting
A corner full of quiet air
A quiet and isolated space in a corner
You looked past all the bodies and said take it
An instruction to seize an opportunity, regardless of obstacles
From my cold dead hands
Emphatic declaration, suggesting an unwavering stance
I was their age when it happened
Recalling a traumatic event at a young age
Exit wounds the size of softballs
Describing severe injuries caused by the event
And it's been more than a decade now
The passage of time since the incident
That was 2012
Specific year reference (2012)
I've grown up a lot since then
Personal growth and maturity over the years
And I know why these things take place
Understanding the reasons behind such events
I will not hesitate to blame it on
Attributing incidents to greed and resistance to change
Greed and fear of change
Expressing a readiness to assign blame
That we're memorizing code alarms
Reiteration of learning and memorization of security measures
Shield each other in our arms
Seeking mutual protection and support
You looked us in the eye and said it's freedom
Reaffirmation of the connection between actions and freedom
We're clutching legs of classroom chairs
Continuing the imagery of a classroom environment
A corner full of quiet air
Repetition of seeking refuge in a quiet space
You looked past all the bodies and said take it
Encouragement to seize opportunities despite challenges
You rhapsodize on your safety
Critiquing the prioritization of personal safety
While we hold still to survive
Enduring hardships while others remain indifferent
Ignore us when we march
Dismissal of protests and activism
Say it's so sad and brush us off
Downplaying the significance of societal issues
You'd think it would be easy
Contrasting the simplicity of choosing life with societal complexities
To choose to save our lives
Reflecting on the challenge of making life-saving decisions
But give a man a privilege
Addressing the misuse of privilege and its consequences
He'll start calling it right
Warning against entitlement and its impact
We're memorizing code alarms
Repetition of security measures and mutual support
Shield each other in our arms
Linking actions to the concept of freedom again
You looked us in the eye and said it's freedom
Reiteration of the classroom setting and shared protection
We're clutching legs of classroom chairs
Emphasizing the importance of solidarity
A corner full of quiet air
Returning to the image of a quiet and secure space
You looked past all the bodies and said take it
Encouraging action in the face of adversity
From my cold dead hands
A defiant statement, expressing a refusal to surrender rights
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