Angel Born in Hell

Hands black from the smoke (yeah)

Halo bent in the gutter

Whole sky lookin' away from me

But I still hear a distant flutter

Mama said I came out cryin'

Like I already knew the cost

Nurse swear she saw wings twitch

Soon as they cut the cord off

Grew up where the prayers rust

Under bridges tagged in red

Learned to tuck a blade and a Bible

Underneath the same bed

Court dates, candles, vigils

Same faces, different shirts

Every blessing feel borrowed

Every favor paid in dirt

I ain’t perfect, I ain’t pure

But I’m chosen, I can tell

Got a feather in my pocket

I’m an angel born in hell

I’m an angel born in hell, yeah

White wings in the flames, I don’t melt (I don’t melt)

Got a halo made of thorns on my head

But I still walk like I’m guided, I’m felt

I’m an angel born in hell, uh

Heart gold but the hands got scars

If I climb out this pit one time

I’m draggin’ my people to the stars

Judge read my name so often

Sounded like a broken hook

Public defender yawning

Didn’t even open the book

But I seen good in the monsters

Saw the fear behind they eyes

We just kids that grew in concrete

Never learned to trust the sky

Told God, “If you really listen

You gon’ have to meet me here

In the alley by the liquor store

Where we baptize in the beer”

He ain’t answer with a thunderclap

Just a siren, distant yell

Then a stranger handed me a lighter

Said, “Go and set fire to this shell”

I’m an angel born in hell, yeah

White wings in the flames, I don’t melt (nah)

Got a halo made of thorns on my head

But I still walk like I’m guided, I’m felt

I’m an angel born in hell, uh

Heart gold but the hands got scars

If I climb out this pit one time

I’m draggin’ my people to the stars

If I gotta bleed to break these chains (break these chains)

Then cut me deep, I’ll stain this ground

If the light too bright for a soul like mine

I’ll glow in the gutter, still hold it down (hold it down)

I’m an angel born in hell, yeah

White wings in the flames, I don’t melt

Got a halo made of thorns on my head

But I still walk like I’m guided, I’m felt

I’m an angel born in hell, uh

Heart gold but the hands got scars

If I climb out this pit one time

I’m draggin’ my people to the stars (to the stars)