[Verse 1]
History shows us tales of tanks and coups
When generals march and freedom's in the news
But there's a quieter way that liberty dies
When voters choose their own democratic demise
[Pre-Chorus]
Not always soldiers breaking down the door
Sometimes it's ballots that end what came before
[Chorus]
Democracies die not only at the hands of generals
But also at the hands of elected leaders
Two thousand eighteen, the warning's crystal clear
How Democracies Die, the truth we need to hear
Remember the source, remember the year
Elected leaders, the danger that's near
[Verse 2]
Levitsky and Ziblatt wrote the warning down
How voting can dismantle what our founders found
The people pick the ones who'll tear it all apart
A slow erosion, not a sudden start
[Pre-Chorus]
No need for armies when the ballot box will do
Democracy destroyed by me and you
[Chorus]
Democracies die not only at the hands of generals
But also at the hands of elected leaders
Two thousand eighteen, the warning's crystal clear
How Democracies Die, the truth we need to hear
Remember the source, remember the year
Elected leaders, the danger that's near
[Bridge]
Quote it exact, get every word right
"Not only generals" - keep that insight
The book that taught us what we need to know
How freedom fades and how the patterns go
[Final Chorus]
Democracies die not only at the hands of generals
But also at the hands of elected leaders
Exact quotation, make the meaning clear
How Democracies Die, two thousand eighteen year
When citing sources, precision is the key
Elected leaders threatening you and me
[Outro]
Not only generals, but leaders we elect
The quote that saves democracy from neglect