Wretches and Kings
Linkin Park Lyrics

When the operation of the machine becomes so odious
When the operation of the machine becomes so unbearable

Makes you so sick at heart, that you can't take part
Makes you feel so sick and powerless that you can't even participate

You can't even passively take part
You can't even be a silent witness to what's happening

And you've got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels
And you have to stop the system physically by blocking its mechanisms

Upon the levers, upon all the apparatus
By obstructing every part of the machine

And you've got to make it stop
And you have to bring the system to a complete halt

To save face, how low can you go?
How much dignity are you willing to sacrifice just to keep up appearances?

Talk a lotta game, but yet you don't know
You talk a lot of big talk, but you have no real understanding

Static on the wind, makes us all say whoa
The discordant noise in the air makes us all stop and take notice

The people up top push the people down low
The people in power suppress the ones who are marginalized

Get down, and obey every word
Submit and follow all the rules and commands

Steady, get in line if you haven't yet heard
Fall into line with the rest if you haven't caught up yet

Wanna take what I got, don't be absurd
If you think you can just take what's mine, you're being ridiculous

Don't fight the power, nobody gets hurt
Don't rebel against authority, and you won't suffer consequences

If you haven't heard yet, then I'm lettin' you know
If you're still unaware, then let me inform you

There ain't shit we don't run when the guns unload
There's nothing we can't control or dominate when we have weapons

And no one make a move, unless my people say so
And no one takes action without my people's approval

Got everything outta control, now everybody go
Everything is chaotic and out of control, so everyone can do as they please

Feel alone, final blow
Feeling lonely, like it's the last straw

We, the animals, take control
We, who are oppressed and treated like animals, are now in charge

Hear us now, clear and tall
Listen to us clearly and with respect

Wretches and kings, we come for you
Those who are both pitiable and powerful, we're coming for you

So keep face, how slow can you go?
How slowly can you degrade yourself to maintain a façade?

Talk a lotta shit, and yet you don't know
You talk a lot of nonsense, but you have no real knowledge

Fire on the wind, makes you all say whoa
The intensity of the situation makes everyone take notice

The people up top and the people down low
Both those in power and those who are marginalized

Get down, and I'm runnin' it like that
Submit and I'll control everything my way

The front of the attack is exactly where I'm at
I'm leading the charge from the very front

Somewhere in between the kick and the hi-hat
Somewhere in between the rhythmic punch and the high-pitched cymbal

The pen and the contract, the pitch and the contact
The legal document and agreement, the delivery and connection

So get with the combat, I'm lettin' them know
So get ready to fight back, I'm informing everyone

There ain't shit you can say to make me back down, no
There's nothing you can say that will make me surrender

So push the button, let the whole thing blow
So activate the mechanism and let the system collapse

Spinning everything outta control, now everybody go
With everything spiraling out of control, everyone can now act freely

Filthy animals beat down low
Those who are treated like animals and looked down upon

Steel and bone, black and blue
Strong and resilient, but also wounded and bruised

Run at the sunshine, we come for you
We're charging ahead fearlessly to confront you

From the front to the back and to side to side
From every angle and every position

If you feel what I feel, put 'em up real high
If you share my emotions, raise your hands up high