[Verse 1] Alarm hits before the sun Same boots, same job to run Coffee’s cold, back is tight But I show up, rain or light [Pre-Chorus] No reward, no parade Just the work and what it pays It ain’t pretty, it ain’t fair But I keep moving — I don’t care [Chorus] Rough hands, busted knuckles Long days, quiet struggles No praise, no easy win Just the weight I’m living in Rough hands, dirt and skin What I lose, I hold within I don’t love it — never did But I do it for the ones I live with [Verse 2] Clock in, head down, breathe slow Steel and sweat, that’s all I know They don’t see it, they don’t ask But this is more than just a task [Pre-Chorus] Every scar, every line Tells a story, not a crime You survive, or you fold And some of us just get old [Chorus] Rough hands, busted knuckles Long days, quiet struggles No praise, no easy win Just the weight I’m living in Rough hands, dirt and skin What I lose, I hold within I don’t love it — never did But I do it for the ones I live with [Bridge – stripped down, like a breath between shifts] You don’t have to like the fight Just show up, hold the line Work don’t care if you’re tired So I go… every time [Final Chorus – hit heavy, almost defiant] Rough hands, busted knuckles Calloused soul, rusted shovels No spotlight, no clean end But I’ll do it all again Rough hands, dirt and skin Build a life I’m standing in I don’t love it — that’s the truth But I work, and that’s my proof [Outro – slow, fading like a factory bell] Rough hands… Rough hands… Still standing
