They say it’s all in the timing They say it’s all in the nerve Tom flipped a quarter Friday night Heads to stay, tails to go Caught a job when the light turned green Said yes before the door said no Same road home, same low gas light Same ache he never names They called it grit when it worked out fine Luck when it looked the same Looks like gold from a distance Dust when you get close What they call winning Ain’t always what you chose Luck smiles like it knows you Risk won’t show its face Success and failure Just a mirage we chase Mary leaned in, took the long way ‘round Signed her name with a shake Had the numbers, missed the moment Watched it start to break Same bold move, different headline Same fall from the rope They said she should’ve played it safe After she already hoped Looks like gold from a distance Dust when you get close What they call winning Ain’t always what you chose Luck smiles like it knows you Risk won’t show its face Success and failure Just a mirage we chase It ain’t clean like the stories say No straight lines, no signs Sometimes the break’s just a break Sometimes it takes time One gamble pays the rent Another counts the cost Same coin spinning in the air Before it ever drops I’ve stood on both sides of that line With these boots worn thin Watched the same door swing open Or shut, depending when Some nights I swear I had it right Some days I swear I didn’t try Truth is it’s hard to tell the difference Looking back at why Looks like gold from a distance Dust when you get close What they call winning Ain’t always what you chose Luck feels like a reason Risk feels like a crime Success and failure Just a mirage in time That coin keeps spinning Long after we decide Everyone’s certain They saw the other side
