American Skin
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics

41 shots, and we'll take that ride
The singer is referring to the 41 shots that killed Amadou Diallo, a 23-year-old unarmed black man who was shot by police while reaching for his wallet. By saying "we'll take that ride," he is acknowledging the stark reality that black Americans face, where danger is always around the corner.

'Cross the bloody river to the other side
The 'bloody river' is a metaphor for the United States, a place where black blood has been shed for centuries. By saying 'to the other side', the singer implies that they are trying to escape this harsh reality.

41 shots, cut through the night
The 41 shots, like bullets, cut through the night sky, bringing death and trauma to the community.

You're kneeling over his body in the vestibule
The singer is addressing the victim's loved ones, who are left to mourn and grieve over the body of a fallen son or brother.

Praying for his life
Family members and those close to the victim would naturally be praying for his life to be spared, underscoring the tragic waste of life represented by police brutality.

Is it a gun, is it a knife
The lyrics reflect the fear and uncertainty that often accompany police interactions for people in black communities. The victim himself could not have known whether what he was doing would be considered a threat.

Is it a wallet, this is your life
The ambiguity that underlies many police shootings, where seemingly innocuous objects can be misconstrued, is captured in this line. Even everyday objects like wallets or cellphones, when held by a person of color, can be seen as threats by law enforcement.

It ain't no secret (it ain't no secret)
The widespread pattern of police violence is not a secret to black Americans. It's an open wound that is continually salted by systemic injustice.

No secret my friend
The fact that black people are at risk of losing their lives every time they leave the house is common knowledge in the community. There is a sense of camaraderie and solidarity in that shared experience.

You can get killed just for living in your American skin
The singer is pointing out the harsh truth that for black Americans, their skin color is a death sentence. They are not safe in their own country.

41 shots, Lena gets her son ready for school
The song highlights the constant fear that black mothers live with - that their sons will be a statistic. The mention of Lena getting her son ready for school suggests the everyday nature of this fear.

She says, "On these streets, Charles
The mother is offering advice and protection to her son, knowing that he is not safe outside of the protective bubble of their home.

You've got to understand the rules
The mother is essentially telling her son that he must behave according to particular protocols in order to stay safe from the constant danger around him - rules that non-black citizens don't have to follow.

If an officer stops you, promise me you'll always be polite
The mother knows that if her son stands up for himself, even in a respectful way, he could easily be met with violence from the police. She is caving to the threat of violence by advising her son to acquiesce to any demand.

And that you'll never ever run away
In this line, the mother is essentially telling her son that there is no escape from police scrutiny for black men, no matter where they go. Running away might look suspicious, even if it's just a reflexive response of fear.

Promise Mama you'll keep your hands in sight
This is another instruction from the mother, who knows that if a police officer is threatened, even if it's just perceived, the results can be deadly. Like the rest of her instructions, this one boils down to surviving the encounter.

Is it in your heart (is it in your heart), is it in your eyes (is it in your eyes)
The uncertainty and fear expressed in earlier lines resurface. The victim could be completely innocent, but because of the color of his skin, his actions become magnified and subject to suspect interpretation.

41 shots, I got my boots caked with this mud
The repeated refrain of 41 shots reminds the listener of the tragic and senseless taking of life. The mention of muddy boots reminds us that the singers are actively searching through the muck and mire for some kind of truth in this deeply unjust system.

We're baptized in these waters (baptized in these waters)
This metaphor suggests that the crushing weight of systemic racism affects all black Americans, regardless of their individual experiences.

And in each other's blood (and in each other's blood)
The final, chilling line underscores the devastating loss of life that black Americans face as a community. The blood of those who are lost to police violence is shared by all, signifying the pain, sadness, and anger of the community.