*(Intro — 6 bars)* Yeah… Thug soul, real pain, no filter From the cradle to the concrete Some of us was raised by queens… no kings Feel that… This for every child who had to grow up too soon *(Verse 1 — 16 bars)* Born in the struggle, mama cryin’ in the night Said my daddy disappeared ‘fore I ever saw the light No letters, no calls, just a name I was given Tryna figure out my roots while I’m out here livin’ Schoolyard stories, kids brag ‘bout they pops I’d just nod my head, let ‘em talk, let it rock Inside I was burnin’, feelin’ less of a man ‘Cause I couldn’t point a finger like, “yeah, that’s him, that’s my fam” Mama worked doubles, kept food on the stove But I seen the pain deepen every time I’d grow Asked her ‘bout you, she’d just look away slow Like the truth cut deep and she ain’t wanna let it show So I learned from the streets, yeah, the blocks raised me OGs gave game, said, “don’t let it break thee” Still I felt hollow, like a piece missin’ Tryna fill the void with this life I was livin’ *(Chorus — 8 bars, Male R&B style)* (I never knew the man…) No arms to hold me, no hand to guide (I never knew the man…) Just my mama’s tears and this pain inside (I carry your name, but it don’t feel right) Lookin’ in the mirror every sleepless night (I never knew the man…) Still I rise, still I stand *(Verse 2 — 16 bars)* Teen years wild, anger all in my veins Fist fights, late nights, tryin’ to cope with the pain Lookin’ for a father in every older face But they all disappeared when I needed that space Started questionin’ God like, “why me?” Why he get a dad and my life so empty? Why I gotta hustle just to learn how to be What a man supposed to look like internally? Made mistakes, yeah, I stumbled and fell Couple nights in a cell, had me knowin’ it well If you was around, would I be this way? Or would I have walked down a different lane? But I ain’t fold, turned my scars into pride Used that hurt as the fuel just to keep me alive Swore if I had a seed, I’d be right by his side Break the curse, change the story, rewrite my life *(Chorus — 8 bars, Male R&B style)* (I never knew the man…) No arms to hold me, no hand to guide (I never knew the man…) Just my mama’s tears and this pain inside (I carry your name, but it don’t feel right) Lookin’ in the mirror every sleepless night (I never knew the man…) Still I rise, still I stand *(Verse 3 — 16 bars)* Now I’m grown, got a son and he look like me And it hit real deep, what you couldn’t be Every time he laugh, every time he cry I’m right there, I swear, I ain’t lettin’ time fly I’m teachin’ him strength, teachin’ him truth Tryna give him all the love I ain’t get in my youth Told myself I’d never be a ghost in his life I’ma be his foundation, his shield in the fight Still I wonder ‘bout you in the back of my mind If you think ‘bout your son from time to time Do you feel regret or just let it pass? Like I was just another moment in your past I ain’t lookin’ for you, I done found my peace But the questions still echo, they never cease I became my own man, had to take that stand All because… I never knew the man *(Chorus — 8 bars, Male R&B style)* (I never knew the man…) No arms to hold me, no hand to guide (I never knew the man…) Just my mama’s tears and this pain inside (I carry your name, but it don’t feel right) Lookin’ in the mirror every sleepless night (I never knew the man…) Still I rise, still I stand *(Outro — 6 bars)* Yeah… no hate, just truth in the booth For every broken home, every lost youth We still here… still breathin’, still fightin’ Turn the pain into purpose And if you feel this… you already understand Never knew the man… but you became one anyway
