Shadow on my heels

Verse 1:

I came up hard where the sun don’t shine

Cold steel nights and no lifeline

Dust in my lungs, blood on my pride

Only thing I had was the fire inside

Verse 2:

That money-hungry demon, he knew my name

Showed up early, played a crooked game

Said, “Sell me your soul, I’ll pave you gold”

But I ain’t the kind to do what I’m told

Chorus:

I been broke, I been bruised

But I won’t be used

Kept my heart from rustin’, though the pain was real

Love was the only thing the devil couldn’t steal

Now I carry my scars like a blade on steel

With a shadow on my heels… and a fire I can feel

Verse 3:

I seen the world try to turn me to stone

Put a price on my peace, left me out there alone

But I found truth in the ache, light in the dirt

Kept my hands clean, though my knuckles hurt

Verse 4:

He came back with riches, women, and wine

Said, “This could be yours, just cross that line”

But I’d rather walk broke, with my soul intact

Than drown in silk and never come back

Chorus:

Yeah, I been cold, I been lost

I paid life’s cost

But I held on tight when the nights got long

Love was the anchor that kept me strong

And though the past still knocks like a closing deal

I got a shadow on my heels… and a heart made real

Bridge:

Can’t outrun the echoes, can’t forget the days

But they carve me sharper in all the right ways

Pain taught me how to feel, not to bend

And love gave me a reason I could defend

Final Chorus:

So I walk this line, eyes open wide

With love in my chest and no need to hide

The devil’s still singin’, but I don’t dance

I gave up fear when I took my chance

Now I carry the flame, and I won’t kneel

With a shadow on my heels… and a will they can’t steal

Outro (spoken slow):

A man’s gotta bleed…

To know what he really needs.