Alarm clock screaming, 5:30 AM
Same worn boots, same tired man
Coffee cold, bills on the counter
Dreams on hold, hope getting smaller
Clock in, smile fake, head down low
Boss talks big but the check don’t show
Hands hurt, back sore, still I stay
Trading my life for minimum pay
Every dollar got a destination
Rent, lights, food, no celebration
Working hard but I’m falling behind
Running full speed, stuck in place every time
Nine to five, just trying to survive
Paycheck to paycheck just to stay alive
I give my soul just to break even
Still praying hard for a little breathing
I work all week but I’m still in debt
Can’t get ahead, can’t catch my breath
Nine to five, yeah I’m wrecked
Living life paycheck to paycheck
Kids need shoes, car needs gas
Card keeps swiping, balance won’t last
Smile for them so they don’t see
How close I am to breaking me
Overtime hours, miss another night
Trading memories just to keep the lights
They say “work hard and you’ll be free”
But freedom feels so far from me
Every promise feels like a lie
When effort don’t match the grind
I’m doing right, still paying the price
Trying to live, not just exist in this life
Nine to five, just trying to survive
Paycheck to paycheck just to stay alive
I give my soul just to break even
Still praying hard for a little breathing
I work all week but I’m still in debt
Can’t get ahead, can’t catch my breath
Nine to five, yeah I’m wrecked
Living life paycheck to paycheck
I’m not lazy, I’m exhausted
Not broke, just robbed by the cost of
Living in a world where the rich don’t see
What it’s like choosing food over sleep
I’m holding on, knuckles white
Still believing there’s more than this life
Nine to five, I’m still alive
But barely hanging on inside
Paycheck to paycheck, no safety net
Still fighting with nothing left
One day I’ll rise, I swear I will
Even if this grind tries to kill
Until that check clears, I’m still in debt
Living life paycheck to paycheck
Clock out late, sky goes black
Tomorrow I’ll put the armor back
Still broke, still stressed, still breathing yet
Man in the grind… paycheck to paycheck
RhythmOvertone630
