[Intro – Spoken, soft and sweet, gravel voice full of regret and warmth] I put you through hell… But I’m home now, Mama. I made it. And I’m stayin’ this time. [Verse 1 – Male melodic rap, sweet with sorrow, deeply emotional, tear-soaked resolve] Used to come home high, eyes full of sin. Mama at the table, whisperin’ “Please let him win.” She saw me break more times than I can count. Still left the porch light on like I’d turn it around. I ain’t proud of what I made her carry. Watched her pray over dirt like it could be buried. She never fought back, never raised her voice. Just folded hands and gave me choice. I chose wrong, I chose rage. I chose death when I should’ve turned the page. And right when I started to climb from the pit, she fell sick fast — no time to quit. Some diagnosis in doctor words, but all I heard was “This world ain’t hers.” [Verse 2 – Male melodic rap, soft and grateful, vain but humble, emotional reminiscence] But that night on the bridge near broke my spine. I was ready to quit — no rage, no sign. Just stood there quiet, fight all gone, thinkin’ maybe this world would be better if I moved on. Then I saw a kid down there by the tracks, lookin’ lost in the dark like I once looked back. One heartbeat away from bein’ too late, but I stepped down slow and rewrote fate. Started helpin’ boys who walked that line, carryin’ silence like it meant they were fine. Built the Foundry brick by brick, gave ‘em truth when they felt too sick. Mama never saw that part in the flesh, but she heard it in my voice, even through the mess. When I said, “I’m still here,” she smiled low, said, “I always knew, I just needed you to know.” [Pre-Chorus – Male melodic chant, soft and reverent, gospel undertone, Cain’s emotional surrender] And I’m here now, Mama, standin’ clean. A little less fire, a whole lotta mean. But I ain’t runnin’, I ain’t cold. I just needed time to take your hold. [Chorus – Male sung hook, emotional high, gospel-tinged, raw but rising] You were one heartbeat away from seein’ me whole. One breath from the man that you always told would rise from the dark, would lay down the fight, would turn all that wrong into somethin’ right. You held on tight while I drifted far. Now your name’s in my steps and your light’s in my scars. You left this world with peace in your face, knowin’ your boy finally stood in his place. [Verse 3 – Male melodic rap, heavy with grief and grace, soft-spoken sorrow] I still think ‘bout her, Mama — the girl and our son. That night I begged her out, swore the worst was done. I handed her poison when she needed my strength. That loss tore you up, stretched your heart past its length. You stopped prayin’ out loud, but I heard you cry. I felt that pain even when I was high. I’ll carry their names ‘til the day I go, but I met someone now — I thought you should know. She volunteers down at the Foundry gate. Single mom, strong voice, don’t carry no hate. We’re takin’ it slow — I ain’t in no race. But I swear, Mama, you’d love her face. And her boy... he’s got fire in his eyes like mine. Quick to storm, but soft with time. I ain’t tryna be perfect — just steady and true. Gonna teach him right, the way I never knew. [Verse 4 – Male melodic rap, spoken-sung with trembling voice, Mama’s final words, heartbreaking and proud] I sat by the bed, she could barely speak, but her eyes lit up like I’d been gone a week. She said, “I ain’t scared, I’ve had my run, but I needed to see who you’d become.” Her hand found mine, frail but sure. She said, “Baby, your heart stayed pure.” “I saw it through every lie, every bruise. I knew you were good — just scared to lose.” Tears rolled down, but her voice stayed high. “Cain, I’ve loved you your whole damn life. And now I can go with peace in my chest. My son’s come home. My soul can rest.” [Chorus – Final chorus only, combines raw impact with stripped delivery] You were one heartbeat away from seein’ me whole. One breath from the man that you always told would rise from the dark, would lay down the fight, would turn all that wrong into somethin’ right. You held on tight while I drifted far. Now your name’s in my steps and your light’s in my scars. You left this world with peace in your face, knowin’ your boy finally stood in his place. [Bridge – Spoken word with soft piano under it, voice trembling, acceptance in every syllable] You never asked for payback. You just asked for presence. I gave you fire... and you gave me faith. And somehow, even after all I took, you waited on the man I finally became. [Outro – Sung-spoken, final breath, gravel softened with love] Mama… I made it. [Outro – sweetly sung-spoken, final breath, gravel softened with love] Mama… I'm sorry it took so long, but... I finally made it... Home...
