Verse 1 He didn’t say much when he shook my hand Just a look like he already had plans Smile thin as a switchblade scar Said, “You’ll hear from me when it’s time.” I was young, loud, thought I was clean Didn’t know what owing meant Now every knock feels personal Every silence feels like debt Pre-Chorus A favor don’t rot It don’t forget It just waits And collects Chorus Dead man’s favor, still comes due Don’t matter what you try to do You can run, you can hide But it rides shotgun inside Dead man’s favor, cold and slow Ain’t a clock but it always knows You don’t outrun what you owe You just decide how it goes Verse 2 Saw his name in a barroom prayer Scratched in wood like he’s everywhere They say dirt forgets after time Funny how it still knows mine I don’t sleep, I just lay still Counting costs I never will Every road bends back around To that handshake I thought I’d drowned Pre-Chorus A debt don’t scream It don’t shout It breathes And waits you out Chorus Dead man’s favor, still comes due Don’t matter what you try to do You can run, you can hide But it rides shotgun inside Dead man’s favor, hard and true Ain’t no mercy baked into it You don’t outrun what you owe You just decide how it goes Bridge (Strip Back) Maybe I pay Maybe I bleed Maybe I choose Who I’ll be Instrumental Break (Slow, ominous guitar lead, tension builds) Final Chorus Dead man’s favor, name on my spine Signed in blood, sealed in time If it ends, it ends my way I won’t beg what I can face Dead man’s favor, last card played I ain’t clean, but I ain’t afraid You don’t outrun what you owe You just decide how it goes Outro No receipt No release Just a debt And peace
