"American Reckoning" lyrics - BON JOVI

America's on fire
There's protests in the street
Her conscience has been looted
And her soul is under siege
Another mother's crying, as history repeats
I can't breathe

God damn those 8 long minutes
Lying face down in cuffs on the ground
Bystanders pleaded for mercy
As one, cop shoved a kid in the crowd
When did a judge and a jury
Become a badge and a knee
On these streets?

[Chorus:]
Stay alive, stay alive
Shine a light, stay alive
Use your voice and you remember me
American reckoning

I'll never know what it's like
To walk a mile in his shoes
And I'll never have to have the talk
So it don't happen to you
Three little words written 'cross the chest
Of a twelve year old who hasn't lived life yet
"Am I next? Am I next?"

[Chorus:]
Stay alive, stay alive
Shine a light, stay alive
Use your voice and you remember me
American reckoning

[Instrumental break]

[Bridge:]
Is this a moment or movement?
Is this the tide or a flood?
Is our American reckoning?
Our story written in blood
Or in love
Or in peace

[Chorus:]
Stay alive, stay alive
Shine a light, stay alive
Use your voice and you remember me

Stay alive, stay alive
Shine a light, stay alive
Use your voice and you remember me
American reckoning
In our American reckoning