Who Speak For Us

[Intro — clean guitar / bass / dry drums]
[Verse 1 — Male vocal]
Every four years we choose a voice,
then send it somewhere far away.
We watch the speeches from our sofas
and complain about the words they say.
They promise change before the morning,
they promise answers before the vote.
Then the doors close behind the cameras
and someone else decides the road.
[Chorus]
Who speaks for us
when the room is closed?
Who speaks for us
when nobody knows?
We gave them our voices,
but we still have our own.
Who speaks for us
when we are standing alone?
[Instrumental — bass / guitar]
[Verse 2]
A politician learns the language
of the people in the street.
Another learns the language
of the people they will meet.
Some defend the ones who chose them.
Some forget them after the day.
And sometimes we accept the silence
because it's easier that way.
[Chorus]
Who speaks for us
when the room is closed?
Who speaks for us
when nobody knows?
We gave them our voices,
but we still have our own.
Who speaks for us
when we are standing alone?
[Instrumental — new-wave guitar / sax]
[Bridge — Female vocal]
You say they never listen.
[Male vocal]
Maybe they don't.
[Female vocal]
You say they never change.
[Male vocal]
Maybe they won't.
[Female vocal]
Then what are you waiting for?
[Instrumental — stripped down]
[Verse 3]
A democracy is more than choosing
who will sit behind the door.
It lives in every question asked,
every hand raised, every voice heard.
We can disagree without destroying.
We can demand without hating.
And if the people give away their power,
they cannot blame the world for taking it.
[Final Chorus]
Who speaks for us
when the room is closed?
Who speaks for us
when nobody knows?
We gave them our voices,
but we still have our own.
Who speaks for us?

Who speaks for you?
[Outro — bass / guitar / sax]