[Verse 1]
I been counting bruises on my hands
Clock in, clock out, same demands
Mama said, "Boy, just hold your ground"
But the rent come due when the sun goes down
Bare walls, cold floor, broken chair
I learned real quick nobody cares
I keep my face like stone in rain
'Cause even my tears got debt in them veins
[Pre-Chorus]
Still I rise, still I bend
Still I drag myself again
If I fall, don't call me done
I'm a spark under the mud, still burnin' some
[Chorus]
Hard times, hard times
They keep calling my name
Hard times, hard times
But I won't break the chain
I been low, I been low
Still I got this flame
Hard times, hard times
I keep walking through the pain
[Verse 2]
Seen my dreams in a pawn shop case
Seen my friends just switch on faith
One wrong turn, one empty plate
Turned a good man's grin to a locked-up face
I got scars where the sun don't reach
I got prayers I don't know how to speak
But I keep that hope in my back pocket
Like a last coin, like a match, like a promise
[Pre-Chorus]
Still I rise, still I bend
Still I drag myself again
If I fall, don't call me done
I'm a spark under the mud, still burnin' some
[Chorus]
Hard times, hard times
They keep calling my name
Hard times, hard times
But I won't break the chain
I been low, I been low
Still I got this flame
Hard times, hard times
I keep walking through the pain
[Bridge]
If I lose my breath, I take one more
If the door stay shut, I knock that door
I came this far with a cracked-up soul
Still I hold that light when the night gets cold
[Chorus]
Hard times, hard times
They keep calling my name
Hard times, hard times
But I won't break the chain
I been low, I been low
Still I got this flame
Hard times, hard times
I keep walking through the pain