[Verse 1]
Chuck “The Duck” on Jerome,
rain in my collar, no place felt home
Courtside scars and a split-up dream,
sirens sang louder than the bodega screen
South Bronx blocks got a mean old grin,
every closed door tried to pull me in
I learned real quick what a glance could mean,
who was my friend and who played clean
[Pre-Chorus]
Late nights, hard steps,
heart too full of debt
Mama said, “Boy, hold fast”
I held on through the blast
[Chorus]
The Duck don’t fold (The Duck don’t fold)
The Duck stands tall (stands tall)
Bronx mud on my shoes
Still I outlast it all
The Duck don’t fold (The Duck don’t fold)
Say it out loud
I was built in the storm
Now I wear that loud
[Verse 2]
Kept one eye open on the subway ride,
one hand shaking, one hand tied
Old heads warned me about that crew,
how quick they burn what they pull you through
I seen brothers fall for a borrowed crown,
seen big talk sink when the cops rolled down
So I took my pain and I turned that page,
from locked-up nights to a crowded stage
[Pre-Chorus]
Same block, new name,
same bruise, different flame
If they want my peace,
they gon’ have to see me
[Chorus]
The Duck don’t fold (The Duck don’t fold)
The Duck stands tall (stands tall)
Bronx mud on my shoes
Still I outlast it all
The Duck don’t fold (The Duck don’t fold)
Say it out loud
I was built in the storm
Now I wear that loud
[Bridge]
I carry the names that the pavement kept
I carry the nights that the whole hood slept
But I’m here now, voice cut through
From the hard old block, I came out true
[Final Chorus]
The Duck don’t fold (The Duck don’t fold)
The Duck stands tall (stands tall)
Bronx mud on my shoes
Still I outlast it all
The Duck don’t fold (The Duck don’t fold)
Say it out loud
I was built in the storm
Now I wear that loud