Brick by Brick

I came in quiet with a full black bag

New kicks clean, but my mind was dragged

Seen too much to be that glad

Still I stand where the line got flagged

Cold sink water on my face in the dawn

Dead phone ringing, but I kept it on

Mom said, "Move like you got that on"

So I grip that thread and I stay withdrawn

They want smoke, I want proof

I want cash in the jar and a roof

I want peace with a little bit of truth

And a plate on the stove when I slide through

I been broke, I been boxed in tight

Still made gold out of an empty night

Brick by brick, I built this right

If you hear me now, then you hear the fight

Hold up

Watch me now

No fear in my chest

No way out

Hold up

One more round

I been down, I been down

Now I’m back in the sound

Brick by brick

I built this thing

Brick by brick

Hear the whole block sing

Brick by brick

I took my time

Brick by brick

Now it all feels mine

Paid my dues with a bent-up grin

Split that pain and I fed my kin

Old friends gone, but the grind stayed in

Left hand scars and a right hand win

I don’t flex on what I don’t own

I don’t beg for a seat or throne

I moved slow, but I moved like stone

Now my name hit hard in the marrow and bone

Every loss made a sharper line

Every doubt made a harder shine

Every no turned into a sign

That the best of me was still on time

So I cut that fear with a steady pen

Wrote my name where the lost boys went

If the floor shakes, I’m still not bent

I was made from a smaller rent

Hold up

Watch me now

No fear in my chest

No way out

Hold up

One more round

I been down, I been down

Now I’m back in the sound

Brick by brick

I built this thing

Brick by brick

Hear the whole block sing

Brick by brick

I took my time

Brick by brick

Now it all feels mine

They said move fast

I said slow burn

Every bruise taught me

How to return

Hands still dirty

Heart still loud

I came through low

Now I stand proud

Brick by brick

I built this thing

Brick by brick

Hear the whole block sing

Brick by brick

I took my time

Brick by brick

Now it all feels mine