Three Counts From Heaven

[Verse 1] Laced my boots in that gray back room Name in tape on a folding chair Bandaged ribs and a tremor in my hands Kept on saying I was ready I swear Camera light in my face I talked brave Promised I would bring that gold home Mom texted "we’re watching " I just stared At the belt on the poster Shining like a throne [Chorus] This was the Conquest This was the night I walked down that ramp like I owned every light But I felt my fingers slip On everything I’d held so tight Three counts from heaven Now I’m back in fluorescent white Cradling my ribs And the pieces of my pride [Verse 2] Bell rang loud like a gunshot crack Every slam rattled through my spine He whispered "Kid You’re tougher than you look" As he twisted both my arms against the line Crowd roared when I clawed to the rope Saw my trainer pounding on the mat Thought of every drive in the dark to this place Every promise I can’t take back [Chorus] This was the Conquest This was the night I walked down that ramp like I owned every light But I felt my fingers slip On everything I’d held so tight Three counts from heaven Now I’m back in fluorescent white Cradling my ribs And the pieces of my pride [Bridge] Backstage shower Water runs red Tag half hanging from my name on the wall Ring burns blooming on my chest like marks Of a crown I was never meant to hold at all What do I tell the ones at home Who painted signs Who believed the lie? Do I say "I almost had him" Or admit I froze somewhere between the ropes and the sky? [Chorus] This was the Conquest This was the night I walked down that ramp like I owned every light But I felt my fingers slip On everything I’d held so tight Three counts from heaven And the echoes pass me by I lost that gold Now I’m learning how to live With these empty hands And the weight inside my eyes