[Verse 1]
Fourteen
Thought I knew the world already
Little bag in my pocket, phone buzzing
Thinking we were heavy
You laughed
Said we’d flip it, then we’re gone
Cheap cologne, school shoes, same block
Just a different dawn
Car park light, man’s face all wrong
Voice low, “Where’s the rest?”
You stepped up, said, “Chill, it’s calm”
Knife flashed, straight to your chest
I froze
Then I saw the red on your shirt
You dropped, eyes wide like, “Bro?”
Whole sky fell into dirt
[Chorus]
Reece, I still see you in my arms
Blood on my hands, I was trying to stop the dark
You were fifteen, talkin’ like we’d own the city
Now it’s just your name echoing inside me
Reece, I still hear you try to breathe
Mumbling my name while you’re slippin’ from the street
I was fourteen, screaming at the night, “Don’t take him”
Every time I close my eyes, I’m right back with you, fading
[Verse 2]
I pressed on the wound, you grabbed my wrist
“Tell my mum…” then you coughed and missed
Blue lights miles away, or that’s how it felt
Time slow, every heartbeat like it might melt
Your phone rang in your pocket, same ringtone
I wanted to answer, say you’re comin’ home
But you were getting cold, I was losing my grip
Whispered, “Stay, bro, please, we’ve still got trips”
Sirens got louder, your pupils got glass
Whole childhood shattered in the shattered glass
I was just a kid playin’ gangster, dumb
Didn’t know the price till you didn’t get up
[Chorus]
Reece, I still see you in my arms
Blood on my hands, I was trying to stop the dark
You were fifteen, talkin’ like we’d own the city
Now it’s just your name echoing inside me
Reece, I still hear you try to breathe
Mumbling my name while you’re slippin’ from the street
I was fourteen, screaming at the night, “Don’t take him”
Every time I close my eyes, I’m right back with you, fading
[Bridge]
They zipped you up, I just stood there shaking (shaking)
Neighbours in the curtains, whole block vacant
Police with their questions, I lied, I broke
‘Cause I saw your brother’s face in the smoke
Now every shortcut, every alley’s a shrine
Every siren sounds like you calling my line
I grew up fast, but a part stayed there
Kneeling in the dirt, fingers tangled in your hair
[Chorus]
Reece, I still see you in my arms
Blood on my hands, I was trying to stop the dark
You were fifteen, talkin’ like we’d own the city
Now it’s just your name echoing inside me
Reece, I still hear you try to breathe
Mumbling my name while you’re slippin’ from the street
I was fourteen, but I swear I felt a hundred
Swore on your name I’d never let my life die how yours did