(Verse 1)
I wake up to alarms and the weight on my chest,
Bills on the table, dreams in the drawer, stress on my breath.
Streets taught me hustle, mama taught me to pray,
But being both dad and mom got me workin’ two ways.
School drop-off, hugs quick, kiss on a whispered "bye,"
Night shift, day shift, pockets thin but pride high.
They call me "strong" but they don’t see the cracks,
Phone lights up—same number, same tone, askin’ for stacks.
(Chorus)
I’m tryin’ to raise kings, teach ‘em how to stand tall,
But the world tries to break ‘em, tries to make ‘em small.
She says "don’t be like you," then turns and calls my line,
Says she wants different for them, then asks for mine.
(Verse 2)
Used to be the kid who fought to be seen,
Now I’m the man tryin’ to show what “better” means.
Taught my son how to tie a tie, braid my daughter’s hair,
Told ’em love ain’t just a word—it’s showin’ when you care.
But every weekend’s an argument, cold shoulders, hot fights,
She lectures ‘bout my past like I’m still in them nights.
Then when rent comes due, or the light’s about to go,
Her words flip like a switch—“Can you help? I’m low.”
(Chorus)
I’m tryin’ to raise kings, teach ‘em how to stand tall,
But the world tries to break ‘em, tries to make ‘em small.
She says "don’t be like you," then turns and calls my line,
Says she wants different for them, then asks for mine.
(Bridge)
It’s a squeeze—identity and responsibility collide,
Tryna rewrite history while survivin’ on pride.
I wanna be the lesson, not the cautionary tale,
Show ’em how a man folds, but never how he fails.
So I pick up extra hours, swallow the bitter taste,
Pay for school shoes and silence, every debt embraced.
My mama said to give ‘em roots, then teach ’em how to fly,
So I keep my head up, even when I’m wonderin’ why.
(Verse 3)
See me at the table—homework, soup, bedtime prayer,
Readin’ through the pages of a future I prepare.
When they laugh, my chest lifts, when they sleep, I breathe slow,
Every dollar, every scar, I’m plantin’ what I sow.
One day they’ll ask who I was, what it meant to be me,
I’ll tell ’em I was imperfect but I fought to set them free.
And if they turn out better than the man I used to see,
That’s proof that love rewrites whatever history.
(Outro / Refrain)
She don’t want my shadow but she takes my dime,
Says "don’t be like him"—but he still shows up in time.
I’m learnin’ how to father, teachin’ how to shine,
Even when the world forgets, my love’s the bottom line.
HbKeed