[Intro] Back gate swings, morning air comes through Coffee on the counter, old boots by the door I learned what a promise weighs When the room gets quiet [Verse 1] I seen a handshake turn cold by Friday Seen a loud man fold when the bill came due So I keep my word plain, let the days say What my mouth don't need to prove Mama said, “Son, keep your name clean” Even when the easy road calls Now the ones who stayed when the lights went thin Get a chair at my table, that's all [Chorus] Real knows real when the room goes still When there’s no crowd left to play for You stood right there, you held your ground That’s the kind of thing I pay for No big speech, no borrowed shine Just the truth in how we live Real knows real, and I know yours By the patience that you give [Verse 2] Old friend called from a town past the river Said the winter took more than he planned I sent what I could, didn’t ask for a picture Some things don’t need a witness or hand I got dents in the truck and years in my shoulders A few hard lessons I didn’t choose But I sleep with my word and I wake a little older Still grateful for the ones who tell the truth [Chorus] Real knows real when the room goes still When there’s no crowd left to play for You stood right there, you held your ground That’s the kind of thing I pay for No big speech, no borrowed shine Just the truth in how we live Real knows real, and I know yours By the patience that you give [Bridge] If the road gets steep, call my name If the cupboard’s bare, come through I can’t promise the world won’t change I can promise I’ll be true [Final Chorus] Real knows real when the room goes still When there’s no crowd left to play for You stood right there, you held your ground That’s the kind of thing I pay for No big speech, no borrowed shine Just the truth in how we live Real knows real, and I know yours By the patience that you give [Outro] Back gate swings, the day rolls on Some things stay when the noise is gone
