[Verse 1] Cap and gown in the rearview dust You got framed paper Think that’s enough? Out here Bills bite harder than bark You learn real quick when the truck won’t start [Chorus] Takes more than a diploma to survive Boy More than ink on a wall to stay alive Boy It’s bloody knuckles Late rent Long nights Busted boots Bad bets Bar fights Takes more than a diploma to survive Boy To make it out here in the wild Boy [Verse 2] Boss man laughs at your big‑word talk Says “Clock in Kid Then we’ll see you walk” Sun burns holes in your fancy plans Steel and sweat turn boys into men [Chorus] Takes more than a diploma to survive Boy More than ink on a wall to stay alive Boy It’s bloody knuckles Late rent Long nights Busted boots Bad bets Bar fights Takes more than a diploma to survive Boy To make it out here in the wild Boy [Bridge] They don’t teach pride When you swallow it down They don’t grade you On getting up off the ground (out here you learn or you drown) [Chorus] Takes more than a diploma to survive Boy More than ink on a wall to stay alive Boy It’s bloody knuckles Late rent Long nights Busted boots Bad bets Bar fights Takes more than a diploma to survive Boy To make it out here in the wild Boy
