My knuckles all bruised up from knocking on heaven's door My body still aching from sleeping on cement floors I was taught to be non-violent when I'm at war But it's so hard to move in silence when the lions roar
(Chorus) Cuz I was born in shackles (you protected my soul, you left me) All alone in shackles (oh, went through it all, you blessed me) You lift me up when I was down, no hope, no vision Lift me up when all of y'all were against me Now you'd come back to scarlet, the dark days They'd all illuminate, yeah We miss you, Mandella, we miss you, Mandella
(Verse 2) Suffering no more, oh yes, a fight and I fight and I fight Until I can't no more, you see these whips and these chains Around my neck just might be my flaw, but these whips On my back represent what I endured
(Chorus) Cuz I was born in shackles (you protected my soul, you left me) All alone in shackles (oh, went through it all, you blessed me) You lift me up when I was down, no hope, no vision Lift me up when all of y'all were against me Now you'd come back to scarlet, the dark days They'd all illuminate, yeah We miss you, Mandella, we miss you, Mandella
(Bridge) Freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom You gave me my freedom Freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom And I will never surrender, I won't surrender No surrender, no no And I will never surrender, I won't surrender No surrender, no no
(Chorus) Cuz I was born in shackles (you protected my soul, you left me) All alone in shackles (oh, went through it all, you blessed me) You lift me up when I was down, no hope, no vision Lift me up when all of y'all were against me Now you'd come back to scarlet, the dark days They'd all illuminate, yeah We miss you, Mandella, we miss you, Mandella