Roger Chao - Not in my name Lyrics

In this quiet hour, I summon words, a humble man amidst shadows long
To speak of wounds not my own, to voice a plea so loud and strong
For streets that haunt with harried silence, for whispers in the dark
For the women who carry nightmares in the hollows of their hearts
Not in my name, will the long night prowl with fears untold
Where sisters, mothers, daughters, wives, brave the streets so cold
Each step a tale of caution, each shadow is a cage
Resilience in their eyes, a silent building rage

A father's heart, a brother's vow, to cherish life so dear
Yet, lurking in the darkness' shroud, a haunting arc of fear
For every woman who dares dream, of walks in moon's embrace
Finds not the peace of starlit streams, but steps she must retrace. But I say

I say, not in my name, shall this darkness be just fate
Not in my name, shall the safety be a treasure locked by sun's last light
Not in my name

From park, bus stop, and alleyways to the open market sprawl
There's a trembling unspoken, a siege without a wall
Should freedom wear its curfew, tied down by heavy threat?
Must half the world's hearts beat this loud and foreheads bead with sweat?
Hear their voices rising now, they grow too loud to mute
Of those refused their evening walks, a simple forest route
See power in their marching, in their signs, and in their tears
Resisting violent silence that has spanned through many years

Can it be in age so bold, where justice claims its reach
That women young and women old, must cautiously move and freedom beseech?
It is not just, it is not right, this burdening to bear
To shrink beneath the veil of night, feel eyes that linger, stare. No

Not in my name, shall fear strip their freedoms bare
Not in my name, shall freedom's price be paid with fear
Not in my name, not in my name

From my own steps, unburdened, free, I wander far and near
Yet ponder deep this irony, that half the world moves gripped with fear
Creed or colour matters not, when shadows chill the bone
For we are kin, a woman's fight for safety is our own
Let not the blame rest on the souls of those who merely live
Who seek only the liberty that light of day can give
The burden is on us as men, to stand and see and hear
To hold our brothers accountable, to lend our voices clear

I call upon my brothers, break chains we may not see
To challenge whispers of injustice, with our fervent plea
In our silence, we speak volumes; inaction means consent
Perpetuating fear and loss, the cost of freedoms rent
And I say

Not in my name shall this imbalance further propagate.
And I say
Not in my name, shall passivity be our spirit's stance
Not in my name Not in my name

Now our moment, forged in courage gleamed from those who dare
Reclaim their nights, their rights, to breathe the free sweet evening air
Let us all rewrite the ancient rules of night and day
Where every soul can wander free, where fear dissolves away
To walk in peace, to jog alone, should not be acts of courage told
But everyday by sunlight shown, in stories bright and bold
So here I stand, a man, a shield, against the dark unchecked
Until the streets at night are healed, with honour and respect

Not in my name, not in my name, these words, I stake my claim
Not in my name, not in my name, shall this world remain the same
Not in my name, shall women carry weight of shame
Not in my name, shall I walk this path in silence, nor in blame

Not in my name shall this abomination chase its prey
And I say
Not in my name shall women clench their keys between clenched knuckles
Not in my name, not in my name

So I will stand, and I will call, my voice against rough seas
To challenge night, to build a wall of solidarity
For every time a woman shrinks within herself in fear
A piece of our humanity, sinks lost in this frontier
I stand beside, not in front, my voice a growing hum
For this is not my story, but I will not be numb
The dark history of battles, scored deep in silent tears
Calls me to solemn duty that transcends all gendered fears

Here I stand before you, a man amidst the tide
To declare, through each poetic line, where my convictions lie
For every single woman's right, for life restrained by dread
I'll raise my voice, I'll fight their fight without a word unsaid
Not in my name, shall the shadows rule; we demand the dawn
Too long has dark night claimed them, a shadowy domain
Where whispered threats and clutching fears form this recurring chain
The news it spins its stories, the headlines all too clear
Another one assaulted, more violence to fear

We talk of change, we talk of rights, in buildings large and small
But talk must move to action now, to change once and for all
Not just about the alleys, or dangers lurking late
It's also in the homes and offices, where power seals their fate

No more, they say, and I echo, standing by their side
No more using strength to smother, or secrets to divide
No more culture to dismiss , no brushing off the pain
No more turning blinded eyes, for horrors to remain

Let this refrain, not in my name, ring through streets and time
A call to change, from every man, in every single clime
May it carry weight of justice, may it break the chains of fear
May it be heard and be lived, until no one must adhere
With every line thats penned, and chorus we recite
Let us mend the fabric torn, from human natures site
For all the daughters and all the sisters, for justice, bright and bold
Never again shall the story of fear ever be retold

Not in my name, not in my name, not in my name