[INTRO — instrumental, hard piano stabs, slow 808 glide] [VERSE 1 — tight flow, low and steady] Sunday dinner, tie I borrowed off my brother (uh) Mama passing plates like she passing me a cover Asking how the job is, I say busy, I say blessed Ain't had a paycheck since July, but we don't dig in that mess Bank app glowing in my lap beneath the table Eleven bucks and change, I'm rich in being able Dad talks gutters, says a man is what he fixes I nod along with gravy on my lip, too proud to snitch it Sister got a new job, toast going around the room I raise my water glass, let the ice announce my groom I mean my gloom — I mean, nobody here is listening Little nephew kicks my shin, says uncle why you fidgeting [HOOK — chant it, head high] Chin up, sit tall, pockets quiet (quiet) Smile wide, eat slow, keep the riot They don't need to know what the wallet don't say Chin up, sit tall, we gon' eat today (uh) Chin up, sit tall, pockets quiet (quiet) Bread broke never meant the bread's gone Pass the dish, pass the grace, hold it down anyway Chin up, sit tall, we gona be okay [VERSE 2 — double-time burst, controlled] I used to buy the cake, I used to tip the cousin Parking lot attendant money, always fronting like it's nothing Now I'm counting miles on the tank just to make it Mama wrapped the leftovers and slid me twenties with the bacon Saw it in the foil when I got back to the Civic Sat there in the driveway, engine off, couldn't lift it Not the cash — the knowing that she knew and never asked That's the kind of love that hits you harder than the lack So I folded up the twenties, put my shoulders back in place Tomorrow I'ma hit them apps and walk in every place Temp agency at eight, cousin's crew at nine Ain't no shame in starting over, only shame is wasting time [BRIDGE — beat drops to piano, voice close and sung-low] If my daddy ever knew, he'd say son why'd you hide And I'd say the same thing he said when he got fired in '09 We don't bring the storm inside the house We just pass the peas and hold each other's name up Hold the table down What a man can't say at dinner He says with how he sticks around [HOOK — chant it, head high] Chin up, sit tall, pockets quiet (quiet) Smile wide, eat slow, keep the riot They don't need to know what the wallet don't say Chin up, sit tall, we gon' eat today (uh) Chin up, sit tall, pockets quiet (quiet) Bread broke never meant the bread's gone Pass the dish, pass the grace, hold it down anyway Chin up, sit tall, we gona be okay [OUTRO — piano stabs fade, voice dry] Mama wrapped the leftovers She knew the whole time (chin up, sit tall)
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