It don’t hit the same

[Intro] (spoken/melodic, atmospheric)

Yeah… they don’t see the weight, though

They just see me standing

Long as my babies straight, I’m good… uh

Clock in ‘fore the sun up, clock out when it’s gone

Only name on the lease, only shoulders holdin’ on

Kids lookin’ up at me like I’m made outta stone

But stone gets tired too, I just don’t let it show

Missed a couple recitals, caught the guilt on the ride home

Every dollar got a purpose ‘fore it ever hit my palm

I don’t fold, I don’t fumble, I just carry on the low

‘Cause providers don’t get days off, that’s just something that I know

And I lost some love in the process

Gave it all, still came up with less

Heart on pause, but I’m still progressing

Pain turned lessons, count it all a blessing

I been the only one providin’, nonstop grindin’

Tears behind the tint, they can’t see me cryin’

Gave my heart to the wrong one, watched it go up in flames

Now it still beats… but it don’t beat the same

Evolvin’ into somethin’ they can’t take from me

Stayed true, stayed honest, that’s the way it’s gotta be

Learning how to love again through all the pain

‘Cause it still beats… it just don’t beat the same

[Verse 2] (darker)

Used to give my all to somebody who was plottin’ my collapse

Smiled in my face while the love turned to ash

Slept next to a stranger, felt the cold in the mattress

Woke up one day and ain’t recognize the man in the glass

Demons in the quiet hours, whisperin’ I ain’t enough

Empty bottle conversations when the nights got rough

Thought about just disappearin’, let the darkness win

Then I heard my kids through the wall — that’s what saved me from the end

Buried who I used to be, ain’t no flowers on that grave

Honest livin’ out the wreckage, every scar is what I saved

They don’t know the hell I walked through just to stand here sane

I don’t trust easy no more… but I still believe in change

And I lost some love in the process

Gave it all, still came up with less

Heart on pause, but I’m still progressing

Pain turned lessons, count it all a blessing

[Hook] (repeat)

[Bridge] (dark, stripped — detuned keys, sparse 808, half-time)

Three A.M. and the house too quiet, ghosts still rent-free

Love left bruises where nobody can see

I forgave ‘em in the dark so the light don’t cost me

Cut the dead weight off my spirit ‘fore it crossed me

If love come back around, it gotta walk through the fire

Prove it ain’t another mask, prove it ain’t another liar

I ain’t cold, I’m just careful with the pieces that remain

Rebuilt this heart from rubble… it don’t beat the same…

(it don’t beat the same, no…)

[Outro] (spoken over fading melody, first hint of light)

But it still beats, though…

Family first, peace forever

Still standing, still becoming

That’s the story… that’s the life