Running These Prayers

[Verse 1]
Momma said "baby, that path got teeth"
We was outside, back alleys, cracked concrete
Brother in the driver seat, eyes red, heart cold
Trunk full of trouble, hands on a heavy load
Brown bag in the dashboard, rosary on the mirror
We laughed at the danger just to silence the fear
Sirens in the distance like a church choir wrong
I prayed with my eyes open, whispered in a run-on song
[Chorus]
Cars running drugs, we running these prayers
Looking for religion in the smoke-filled air
My brother and I, two kids, no plan
Causing all this chaos just to feel like men
Cars running drugs, we running from shame
Trying to find heaven in a nickname
My brother and I, raised on that edge
Breaking every law just to look for a pledge (yeah)
[Verse 2]
We learned scripture from the old heads on the block
Tattooed psalms peeking out they socks
They said "young king, sin pays fast then it rots"
We just wanted Jordans, didn’t listen to the thoughts
Hit three lights, paranoia in the veins
Every red stop feel like iron bars, chains
He said "if we make it through this drop, we straight"
I just stared out the window, asked the sky for a break (for a break)
[Chorus]
Cars running drugs, we running these prayers
Looking for religion in the smoke-filled air
My brother and I, two kids, no plan
Causing all this chaos just to feel like men
Cars running drugs, we running from shame
Trying to find heaven in a nickname
My brother and I, raised on that edge
Breaking every law just to look for a pledge
[Bridge]
Streetlights flicker like candles in a pew
I said "if You listening, help us make it through"
He laughed it off, but his hands shook too
Two lost sons in a steel-seat pew (yeah)
[Chorus]
Cars running drugs, we running these prayers
Looking for religion in the smoke-filled air
My brother and I, same blood, same scars
Still chasing grace in these stolen cars
Cars running drugs, we running from shame
Trying to find heaven in a nickname
My brother and I, raised on that edge
Causing all this chaos just to feel we blessed (oh)

rap, Gritty storytelling rap over dusty boom-bap drums and warped gospel choir chops. Verses sit in a tight pocket with close-mic male vocals; hook opens up with layered chant-style backing and big, swung low-end. Sparse piano stabs and distant sirens paint the streets; final chorus adds extra harmonies and ad-libs for a raw, cathartic lift.