[Intro] Yeah... Still standing... No easy road... [Hook] I carry the weight where the cold winds cut Kept my word when the whole world shut Every hard-earned step left a mark in the dust I came up from nothing, learned who to trust No crown, no mercy, no hand to hold Just a clear-eyed heart and a spine of stone If I break, I rebuild from the things I know Deep roots hold when the hard rains blow [Verse 1] Mama kept the rent folded under a plate I learned real young what it costs to be late Thin walls, old heat, winter biting the floor I made plans with my back to a locked bedroom door My friend took a bus with his coat in a sack Said, "Give me one year, then I’m coming right back" His number went quiet; his chair stayed bare I still catch myself saving a seat over there I don’t call it fate when the choices leave scars I count every mile, not the shine from afar A promise is heavy; I carry it straight I don’t need applause to remember the weight [Hook] I carry the weight where the cold winds cut Kept my word when the whole world shut Every hard-earned step left a mark in the dust I came up from nothing, learned who to trust No crown, no mercy, no hand to hold Just a clear-eyed heart and a spine of stone If I break, I rebuild from the things I know Deep roots hold when the hard rains blow [Verse 2] Now the old block looks smaller beneath my shoes Same chipped blue gate, same bad evening news I send money home, still call every week There’s a tremor in Mom’s voice she won’t let me speak I’ve watched good men bend till they couldn’t stand tall Watched pride make a feast of the best of us all So I keep my circle close, keep my temper on leash There’s strength in the pause, there is power in peace Every scar has a story, not all should be told Some truths stay quiet, some hands stay cold I’m not what I lost, I’m the work that I do A hard road behind me, a hard road made new [Final Hook] I carry the weight where the cold winds cut Kept my word when the whole world shut Every hard-earned step left a mark in the dust I came up from nothing, learned who to trust No crown, no mercy, no hand to hold Just a clear-eyed heart and a spine of stone If I break, I rebuild from the things I know Deep roots hold when the hard rains blow [Outro] Still standing... Still here... Deep roots...
