I remember everything. Second-hand shoes, holes in the floor Counting every coin at the grocery store Cold little rooms, nothing came free But they were my blood, they mattered to me My brothers came home black and blue I wanted to fight, but what could I do? I saw every bruise, remembered each face Too damn weak to stand in their place I learned what helpless feels like I learned what weakness costs Then came the night I never forgot Black eyes! Split skin! I watched them fall! Come through me first— BREAK ON ME! I take it all! White hospital walls, fluorescent light My sister lay broken there that night Bandage on her head, blood on her sleeve One look at her face and I couldn't breathe I stood by her bed with nothing to say Then made one promise I carry today No more watching from the side No more fear I had to hide If strength was something I had to earn I'd break myself down and build up again No prayer No excuse No waiting for someone else That night I chose What I'd become Black eyes! Split skin! I watched them fall! Come through me first— BREAK ON ME! I take it all! Miles before the morning came Then iron came to feed the flame Chalk on my hands, blood on the bar Counted the miles like counting scars One more plate, one more round Steel and sweat, no one around Months became years, the years rolled on That weak little kid was dead and gone Weight went up, fear went down I learned to hold my own damn ground Never trained for glory or fame I trained so my blood would never know that pain Black eyes! Split skin! I watched them fall! Come through me first— BREAK ON ME! I take it all! Now I lift what once crushed me flat Move the weight they swore I'd never drag Every record fell one by one Every limit came undone They never saw that hospital bed They never heard that promise in my head I don't raise my fists for pride I keep them low, right by your side I know what helpless feels like I know what weakness costs I was too weak once Never again. Black eyes! Split skin! I watched them fall! Come through me first— BREAK! BREAK! BREAK! BREAK ON ME! I take it all! BREAK ON ME! I watched them bleed! I watched them fall! I built these hands To take it all! Come through me first— BREAK! BREAK! BREAK ON ME! I never became strong so the world would fear me I became strong so the people behind me never had to be afraid again BREAK ON MEEEE!
