Cinderblock Steps

I came up on that back fence lean

Scraped knees, fresh dreams, hard to clean

Moms said, "Boy, keep your head up straight"

I said, "Watch me turn this lock to a gate"

Bus wheels hiss, I was late by a mile

Still made it count with that crooked smile

Got mud on my shoes, got fire in my chest

Every bruise got proof I was built for the test

I don't fold, I don't freeze

I don't beg, I don't please

When the room go quiet

I make the whole block lean

Keep it moving, keep it moving

I been through it, I been through it

Steel in my spine

Still I shine, still I prove it

Keep it moving, keep it moving

Say my name, I get to it

Cinderblock steps

With a heavyweight soul

Seen fake friends vanish off a borrowed ride

Seen cold eyes switch when the rent got high

I kept two jobs and a notepad full

Made pain look pretty, made pressure look cool

Now the same folks talk like they knew my route

Like they seen that spark when it kicked on out

Nah, I was alone with the cracked-up floor

Now the whole place shake when I walk through the door

I don't fold, I don't freeze

I don't beg, I don't please

When the room go quiet

I make the whole block lean

Keep it moving, keep it moving

I been through it, I been through it

Steel in my spine

Still I shine, still I prove it

Keep it moving, keep it moving

Say my name, I get to it

Cinderblock steps

With a heavyweight soul

Let 'em talk, let 'em judge

I was built from the loss and the love

One hand clenched, one hand open

Still I rise when the cracks get broken

Keep it moving, keep it moving

I been through it, I been through it

Steel in my spine

Still I shine, still I prove it

Keep it moving, keep it moving

Say my name, I get to it

Cinderblock steps

With a heavyweight soul