[Verse 1] They offered me the golden key To unlock all society Just sign here on the dotted line Trade your conscience for the shine But I been thinking 'bout my father How he never went and bothered With the games that people play When integrity's the price you pay [Hook] I'd rather be a rebel with a cause Than a puppet with applause They can call me what they want But my soul ain't up for auction [Chorus] I choose the harder road to walk Let the hypocrites all talk 'Bout the fool who wouldn't bend When the money met the pen I'd rather stand here all alone Than sit upon a borrowed throne Built on lies I can't defend My integrity's my dividend [Verse 2] Board room full of empty suits Talking profit over truth Say I'm naive, say I'm young Say I'll change before I'm done But I see behind their smiles All the compromise and guile That it took to get them there Now they're drowning in the snare [Hook] I'd rather be a rebel with a soul Than a player in their role They can threaten what they want But my truth ain't up for sale [Chorus] I choose the harder road to walk Let the hypocrites all talk 'Bout the fool who wouldn't bend When the money met the pen I'd rather stand here all alone Than sit upon a borrowed throne Built on lies I can't defend My integrity's my dividend [Verse 3] Mama raised me with some pride Said keep your values as your guide Even when the world gets cold Don't you ever sell your soul Now I'm standing at the crossroads Carrying these heavy loads Of expectation and of greed But I know what my heart needs [Bridge] They say money talks, but mine whispers Says your worth ain't in the figures Says your legacy's the love you leave Not the web of lies you weave Folk songs floating through my mind Reminding me what peace I'll find When I lay my head at night Knowing that I chose what's right The samples of my ancestors Playing on my mental speakers Telling me to hold the line Even when the sun don't shine [Verse 4] Friends all think I've lost my mind Left the easy path behind Say I'm throwing chances away For some principles that don't pay But I'd rather eat on scraps Than feast on others' moral gaps I'd rather sleep on concrete floors Than walk through blood money doors [Hook] I'd rather be a rebel with a dream Than a sellout with the cream They can judge me how they want But my conscience ain't for rent [Chorus] I choose the harder road to walk Let the hypocrites all talk 'Bout the fool who wouldn't bend When the money met the pen I'd rather stand here all alone Than sit upon a borrowed throne Built on lies I can't defend My integrity's my dividend [Verse 5] Years from now when I look back Won't regret I stayed on track Even though the road was rough Being real was worth enough Let them have their dirty gold My soul was never to be sold I'm a rebel, I'm a fool But I kept my golden rule [Final Hook] I'd rather be a rebel with my truth Than a liar with no proof They can call me what they will But my heart beats with me still [Final Chorus] I chose the harder road to walk Let the hypocrites all talk 'Bout the fool who wouldn't bend When the money met the pen I'd rather stand here all alone Than sit upon a borrowed throne Built on lies I can't defend My integrity's my dividend My integrity's my dividend My integrity's my dividend
