[Verse 1]
Morning started like the others, tourists snapping photographs
Then the checkpoint erupted, gunfire shattered tourist paths
Secret Service agents scramble, protocols kick into gear
Known suspect with a motive, bringing violence far too near
[Chorus]
Shots fired at the fortress, democracy under siege
Agents trained for moments like this, protecting what we believe
White House walls can't stop the madness, but they held the line today
When the smoke cleared from the pavement, one more threat was swept away
[Verse 2]
Global headlines paint the picture, from the Guardian to the Star
CBC reports the carnage, BBC spreads news afar
Le Monde covers from across the pond, AP wire sends the facts
Bystander caught in crossfire, shows how violence always impacts
[Chorus]
Shots fired at the fortress, democracy under siege
Agents trained for moments like this, protecting what we believe
White House walls can't stop the madness, but they held the line today
When the smoke cleared from the pavement, one more threat was swept away
[Verse 3]
Families planned their vacation, children came to see the sights
Never thought they'd witness history, when the morning turned to fright
Teachers shepherding their students, parents pulling children close
In the shadow of the White House, where our nation's story flows
[Bridge]
Serious condition in the hospital, innocent blood spilled on stone
Secret Service knew the gunman, wasn't walking there alone
Every checkpoint tells a story, of the price we pay for peace
When the world watches our doorstep, will the violence ever cease
[Verse 4]
Politicians send their statements, thoughts and prayers fill up the feed
But the agents on the front line, they're the ones who took the lead
In split seconds making choices, that could save or take a life
While the cameras keep on rolling, cutting through us like a knife
[Chorus]
Shots fired at the fortress, democracy under siege
Agents trained for moments like this, protecting what we believe
White House walls can't stop the madness, but they held the line today
When the smoke cleared from the pavement, one more threat was swept away
[Outro]
May twenty-five remembered, as the day the shots rang out
But the agents did their duty, that's what freedom's all about