[Verse 1]
In nineteen nineteen they wrote the law
Weimar Constitution without a flaw
But Article Forty-Eight lurked inside
Emergency powers they couldn't hide
The President could suspend all rights
When danger threatened in dark of night
No time limits, no review required
Democracy's future soon expired
[Chorus]
Emergency powers need expiration dates
Mandatory review before it's too late
The sovereign must bow to the rule of law
Or freedom falls through democracy's flaw
Strict limits, clear sunset, judicial check
Emergency powers we must inspect
[Verse 2]
Hindenburg used it year by year
Decree by decree, the end drew near
No parliament vote, no public say
Executive rule was here to stay
The crisis deepened, the state grew weak
Emergency powers became technique
To bypass the voice of people's will
Until democracy stood stone still
[Chorus]
Emergency powers need expiration dates
Mandatory review before it's too late
The sovereign must bow to the rule of law
Or freedom falls through democracy's flaw
Strict limits, clear sunset, judicial check
Emergency powers we must inspect
[Bridge]
Indefinite states of emergency
Become the tools of tyranny
When leaders rule by decree alone
The people's voice becomes unknown
Article Forty-Eight taught us well
How democracies can fall and fail
[Verse 3]
The lesson echoes through the years
Unchecked power feeds on fears
Emergency becomes the norm
Constitutional protections torn
We must demand the limits stay
Review and sunset every day
The sovereign bound by legal chain
Or history repeats again
[Chorus]
Emergency powers need expiration dates
Mandatory review before it's too late
The sovereign must bow to the rule of law
Or freedom falls through democracy's flaw
Strict limits, clear sunset, judicial check
Emergency powers we must inspect
[Outro]
Article Forty-Eight reminds us all
How even good intentions fall
When power grows beyond its bounds
And constitutional limits aren't found