[Verse 1:]
Mama said, "Baby, don't stay out too late"
But the block raised me more than my own fate
Lights flicker on the corner like a warning sign
Every friend I lost, I pour a little for the shrine
I was only thirteen when I saw my first gun
Heard the shots echo loud, and then the sirens run
Cousin caught a charge, he ain’t never coming back
Now he writing letters in a cell, all facts
[Pre-Chorus:]
We ain't choose this life, it just called our name
When the love run dry, all that’s left is pain
Every step on this pavement got a cost
Some make it out, some get lost
[Chorus:]
This is for the dreams that died on the avenue
For the prayers whispered up under midnight moons
Streetlights flicker like they know the truth
Hard love, cold nights, nothing left to prove
If these walls could cry, they'd sing the Concrete Blues
Yeah, they’d sing the Concrete Blues
[Verse 2:]
Tears in my hoodie, blood on my shoes
I’ve seen brothers turn ghost over dollar moves
My girl say she love me but she scared to ride
She know the game dirty and the reaper don’t hide
My lil’ homie only sixteen, tryna be a king
Got a burner in his backpack and a future on a string
Told him, "Life ain’t a flex, it’s a war for peace"
He said, "OG, I just wanna eat."
[Pre-Chorus:]
We ain't choose this life, it just found our soul
Hearts turn to stone just to make us whole
Every scar on my skin tell a tale
Some still breathe, some in jail
[Chorus:]
This is for the dreams that died on the avenue
For the prayers whispered up under midnight moons
Streetlights flicker like they know the truth
Hard love, cold nights, nothing left to prove
If these walls could cry, they'd sing the Concrete Blues
Yeah, they’d sing the Concrete Blues
[Bridge:]
But I still believe in better days
Even if they slow to come my way
If I make it out, I’ll light a flame
For every soul trapped in this game
[Final Chorus:]
This is for the dreams that died on the avenue
For the hearts still beating in a world so cruel
Streetlights flicker like they feel the pain
Still, we rise through the thunder and the rain
If these streets had a voice, they’d sing the Concrete Blues
Yeah… they'd sing the Concrete Blues
[Outro (Spoken/Sung)]
Keep your head up, even when it hurts
Every rose in the concrete still knows its worth...
