[Verse 1]
I was raised on empty, but my heart ran full
In a town with rust, where the nights pulled dull
Mama had worries, Daddy had gone
So I made my own way with a half-broke song
Didn’t have much but I had my name
And a mind full of thunder I couldn’t tame
Folks said, “Boy, life’ll wear you thin”
I just smiled — let the storm roll in
[Chorus]
’Cause I was raised on empty, but I don’t break
Turned every no into a step I take
From the ashes, from the mud, from the burned-out past
I built a life that’s holdin’ fast
A little rough, a little wild, but proud as hell
Got a fire in my chest, and I wear it well
No handouts, no silver key
Just a buck in my pocket and a heart runnin’ free
[Verse 2]
Heard lies in the mirror, fought ghosts in the dark
But I never let ‘em steal my spark
Took the pain, made it gasoline
Now I’m burnin’ down fear like it’s kerosene
[Bridge]
I ain’t perfect, but I’m damn sure real
A little scarred up but I never kneel
Life don’t owe me — and I don’t beg
I’ll ride this dream ‘til it breaks a leg
[Final Chorus]
Yeah, I was raised on empty, now I run on soul
With a six-string truth and a blacktop goal
Ain’t got a mansion or a clean-cut name
But I’ll take every mile and stake my claim
A little lost, a little loud — that’s me
Raised on empty… but finally free