War is there though you see no blood
War is there though you do not fall
War is there like a whelming flood
War is there like bitter gall

You’ll taste and see the sword near you
You’ll touch and smell its bite
You’ll know if you can stand for truth
You’ll know if you don’t fight

War is here upon your home
War is here around your feet
War is here like ancient Rome
War is here from Greece

You don’t hear the pounding drums
You don’t sense the tension
You won’t know if your line ain’t plumb
You won’t know ‘cuz the progression

War came and you were dead
War came and you were cold
War came like a shot to the head
War came like a rumour told
You wouldn’t listen to the buildup
You wouldn’t listen to the cry
You couldn’t say you “know what’s up”
You couldn’t say you are “on your grind”

Like a flash, like a thief, like waking from sleep
Like unexpected death, like stolen wealth
You became aware
You had to stop and stare
Like omens, like a sign, like lightning in the sky
Like a 3-car-wreck, like you signed a blank cheque
Like a slap, like a shake, like a bad earthquake
Like an unhinged man, like a last-minute-plan
You suddenly had to care
You yourself are there
There’s no debate, no “fight,” no peaceful nights
It’s unwanted violence, it’s compulsory silence

You were never “on your grind”
You never knew “what’s up”
Now you’re forced to hear the cry
Now you’re forced to hear the buildup
War began with rumours told
War began with a shot to the head
War began to make you cold
War began to make you dead

You now know your line ain’t plumb
You now know ‘cuz the progression
Now you’re forced to feel the tension
Now you’re forced to hear the drums

War came because of ancient Greece
War came because of Rome
War came to move your feet
War came to move your home

You now know if you will fight
You now know if it’s for truth
Now you touch and smell its bite
Now taste and see the sword on you

War is here in your bitter gall
War is here in your flood
War is here so do not fall
War is here so shed no blood