[Verse 1] I was born owing money I never borrowed Inherited storms with a forecast of tomorrow Family tree got roots wrapped around my throat Everybody left baggage, somehow I got the coat They gave me their temper, their fear, their silence Handed down pain like a family heirloom item No receipt, no return, no warranty either Just "you'll understand when you're older" I'm older. Still don't. Got apologies written in invisible ink Love came with conditions they forgot to mention Learned how to swim from a house that was sinking Now they act surprised that I don't like attention I got habits with ancestors Ghosts with my last name Everybody wants credit Nobody claims blame They say blood makes us family Cool. Then explain why mine feels like a debt in my veins. [Chorus] I pay the inheritance tax For every mistake that you passed down Carrying weight from a past I wasn't even around for You left me a name and a map Both led me straight to the same cracks I didn't ask for the damage But I'm still paying it back [Post-Chorus] Passed down Passed down Everything you wouldn't face Got passed down Passed down Passed down Guess somebody had to break it [Verse 2 - contrasting male vocal] I got my father's patience My mother's disappearing act Granddad's way of saying "fine" With the whole damn world on his back We inherit more than eye color I learned that young How the quiet at dinner Can be louder than guns Got cousins fighting cousins over pieces of a house Everybody wants the picture, nobody wants the couch Everybody loves "family" when the holidays arrive Then January hits and nobody checks who's alive That's tradition? That's convenient. We call dysfunction culture So nobody has to treat it Every generation said "That's just how we are" Maybe that's why every kid Grew up learning how to leave scars So keep the silverware Keep the photographs Keep every "we've always done it this way" In the aftermath You gave me your history I'm changing the ending. That's the only thing I'm taking From the family inheritance. [Chorus] I pay the inheritance tax For every mistake that you passed down Carrying weight from a past I wasn't even around for You left me a name and a map Both led me straight to the same cracks I didn't ask for the damage But I'm still paying it back [Post-Chorus - layered vocals] Passed down Passed down Everything you wouldn't face Got passed down Passed down Passed down Guess somebody had to break it [Outro - lead vocal] Maybe blood is thicker. Maybe that's why it's harder to wash off. [Instrumental fades]
