[Verse 1] I woke up with that weight again Same old floor, same bedframe bent Mama said, "Boy, keep walking on" Even when the bread was gone Cold hands on a cheap steel sink Hard truth cuts before you think Street by street, I paid my dues Every scar got a story too [Pre-Chorus] Been down low, still I rise Red dust in my eyes If you hear me, don't look away I got fire in my ribs today [Chorus] It's been a hard life to live (Hard life to live) It's been a hard life to live (Too hard to give) But I kept my name in the wind Kept my heart in the fight It's been a hard life to live Still I'm standing tonight [Verse 2] Bus stop mornings, cracked-up shoes Rent due late, bad luck blues I learned how to laugh through pain Smile through the pouring rain Brother lost in a backroom haze I still hear his talking ways Sister kept that hope alive Said, "We don't just survive" [Pre-Chorus] Been down low, still I rise Red dust in my eyes If you hear me, don't look away I got fire in my ribs today [Chorus] It's been a hard life to live (Hard life to live) It's been a hard life to live (Too hard to give) But I kept my name in the wind Kept my heart in the fight It's been a hard life to live Still I'm standing tonight [Bridge] Sax crying through the smoke Trumpets hit, and the room awoke Hands up when the hurt comes round We don't fold, we hold our ground One more night, one more mile Blood and tears, I wore that smile If the world won't let me bend I'll come back swinging again [Chorus] It's been a hard life to live (Hard life to live) It's been a hard life to live (Too hard to give) But I kept my name in the wind Kept my heart in the fight It's been a hard life to live Still I'm standing tonight
