*(Intro)* Yeah… No pictures, no memories… just questions Feel me? *(Verse 1)* Mama said he left ‘fore I could even speak a word No lullabies from him, never felt his presence heard Used to watch the other kids get picked up from school I’d just stand there quiet, tryna play it cool Report cards in my hand, no one to impress Just a tired mother face, heavy with the stress Asked about my pops, she’d just change the topic Like pain had a lock and she ain’t wanna unlock it I learned how to ride with nobody by my side No hand on the seat, just balance and pride Every birthday wish had the same request “Maybe he’ll show up”… yeah, you know the rest *(Hook)* I never knew the man, but I carry his name Got his blood in my veins, but it don’t feel the same Tryna build a life from the pieces he abandoned Lookin’ in the mirror like, “I never knew the man” I never knew the man, still I walk his road Got questions in my heart that’ll never get told Turned pain into fire, now I’m makin’ a stand But deep down inside… I never knew the man *(Verse 2)* They said I got his eyes, I don’t know what that mean How you miss somebody you ain’t never seen? I imagine conversations that we never had Like would you be proud or just another letdown dad? I grew up fast, had to be my own guide Every wrong turn taken was a lesson I applied No “son, do better,” no “this how you stand” Just a world full of noise and no helping hand Anger in my chest, but I turned it to drive Swore I’d be present if I ever got a child Break the cycle, yeah, that’s part of the plan Be everything you wasn’t, ‘cause I never knew the man *(Hook)* I never knew the man, but I carry his name Got his blood in my veins, but it don’t feel the same Tryna build a life from the pieces he abandoned Lookin’ in the mirror like, “I never knew the man” I never knew the man, still I walk his road Got questions in my heart that’ll never get told Turned pain into fire, now I’m makin’ a stand But deep down inside… I never knew the man *(Bridge)* Was it fear? Was it me? Was it life you ran from? Did you think ‘bout your son when the nights got lonesome? I don’t hate you… I just don’t understand How you walk away and never look back again *(Verse 3)* Now I’m grown, got a vision and a plan Still that little kid askin’, “Who is that man?” But I found my worth, I ain’t need your approval Turned all that hurt into something more useful If I ever see you, I don’t know what I’d say Probably stand there silent, then just walk away ‘Cause closure ain’t a gift you can always demand Sometimes you just live with “I never knew the man” *(Outro / Hook)* I never knew the man… yeah But I made who I am From the pain, from the past I survived, now I stand I never knew the man… And maybe that’s the plan To become something greater Than I ever understand…
