Ring the Alarm
Jay Z/Beyoncé Lyrics

Ring the alarm
Alerting the situation and calling for action

I been through this too long
Having endured this situation for far too much time in the past

But I'll be damned if I see another chick on your arm
I won't tolerate the sight of another woman with you

Don't you ring the alarm
An order not to call out the situation that provoked this song

She gon' be rockin' chinchilla coats (if I let you go, no)
If I let you go, she will have all the luxuries that I have given you

Get in the house off the coast (if I let you go, no)
If I let you go, she will live in the luxurious house I've provided

She gon' take everything I own (if I let you go, no)
If I let you go, she will take everything that I worked hard to acquire

I can't let you go (oh), damned if I let you go (no)
Unable to let you go despite the damage you've done

She gon' rock them VVS stones (if I let you go, no)
If I let you go, she will be adorned in the same expensive jewelry as I am

Couped in the 'Bach or the Rolls (if I let you go, no)
If I let you go, she will be driving the same luxurious car as I do

She gon' profit everything I taught (if I let you go, no)
If I let you go, she will benefit from everything I've taught you

Tell me how should I feel, when I know what I know
Questioning the right emotional reaction to the situation when she has all the necessary information

And my female intuition, telling me you a dog?
Her instinct or intuition is alerting her to protective concerns over him

People told me 'bout the flames, I couldn't see through the smoke
People warned me about the red flags but I didn't notice until it was too late

When I need answers, accusations, what you mean you gon' choke? (Oh)
When I need honesty from you, why do you suddenly become speechless?

You can't stay, you gotta go (oh)
Urging him to leave after all that he put her through

Ain't no other chick spendin' yo' dough
No other woman will be taking his money as long as she is around

This is taking a toll, the way the story unfolds
The situation is taking its toll on her as things continue to deteriorate

Not the picture-perfect movie everyone would have saw
The facade of a perfect relationship portrayed is not what it seems to be

Tell me how should I feel
Repeating the question of how she should react given the situation

When you made me belong
He made her feel she belongs with him, despite all the chaos

And the thought of you just touching her is what I hate most
The idea of him being intimate with another woman is the biggest trigger for her

I don't want you but I want it and I can't let it go
She no longer wants him but is unable to let go of the comforts of the lifestyle he provides

To know you give it to her like you gave it to me, come on (oh)
The fact that he might be repeating the same behavior with another woman as he did with her is difficult to accept

He's so arrogant and bold (oh)
Describing his attitude towards the situation as cocky and confident

But she gone love that shit, I know
Believing that the other woman will fall for his charm

I done put in a call, time to ring the alarm
Taking matters into her own hands and initiating action by sounding the alarm

'Cause you ain't never seen a fire like the one I'ma cause
Warning him of the impending consequences of his actions

How can you look at me
Questioning his ability to look her in the eye despite all that he's done

And not see all the things that I kept only just for you?
How can he not see all that she's sacrificed and given for him

Why would you risk it baby is that the price I that pay? (Ooh)
Asking him if the risk of losing everything is worth the price he might pay

But this is my show and I won't let you go
Declaring that she is in control and will not allow him to leave

All has been paid for, and it's mine
Reminding him that everything she has is solely hers

See all the things, see all the things
Repeating the question of how he can't see all that she's done and given for him