41 shots, and we’ll take that ride / ’Cross this 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

Is it a gun? Is it a knife? / Is it a wallet? This is your life / It ain’t no secret (it ain’t no secret) / No secret my friend / You can get killed just for living in your American skin

41 shots…

41 shots, Lena gets her son ready for school / She says: “On these streets, Charles / 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”

Is it a gun? Is it a knife? / Is it a wallet? This is your life / It ain’t no secret (it ain’t no secret) / No secret my friend / You can get killed just for living in your American skin

41 shots…

Is it a gun? Is it a knife? / Is it in your heart? Is it in your eyes? / It ain’t no secret (it ain’t no secret) / It ain’t no secret (it ain’t no secret)

41 shots, and we’ll take that ride / ’Cross this bloody river to the other side / 41 shots, and my boots caked in this mud / We’re baptized in these waters (baptized in these waters) / And in each other’s blood (and in each other’s blood)

Is it a gun? Is it a knife? / Is it a wallet? This is your life / It ain’t no secret (it ain’t no secret) / No secret my friend / You can get killed just for living in / You can get killed just for living in your American skin

[By Bruce Springsteen © Columbia Records, 2000]