[Verse 1]
Clock in
Steel door sighs
Grin from the unit like
“You back
Wise guy?”
Same old circus
Same cold tile
Same dude asking
“Yo
Can you look the other way a while?”
Two on the range
They jawin’ all day
Petty little beef turn real midway
“Code on the tier
” yeah
Here we go again
Rushin’ down the hall
Fake calm in my veins
He crack a bad joke
I fake a half laugh
Eyes on his hands
Mind on my path
“Got a cig? Got a phone? Just a lil’ somethin’?”
Man
I got a badge and a target
Nothin’
[Chorus]
I’m just countin’ chains
They’re countin’ days
I walk that line through the noise and rage
Arguin’
Fightin’
Same damn stage
Long shift life in a concrete cage
I’m just countin’ chains
They’re countin’ days
Holdin’ it down while the world looks away
Flip my heart like they flip those trays
Long shift life in a concrete cage (yeah)
[Verse 2]
Lunch time
Tray time
Food flyin’ midair
He don’t want his peas
He just want a new stare
Tray hits the wall
Gravy on my vest
I radio “10-” like it’s all just a test
Back cell block
Someone talkin’ to the sink
Eyes wide open
Brain on the brink
He’s yellin’ at ghosts that I can’t see
I’m standin’ in the doorway
Wonder who’s free
Admin in the office
Polishin’ that chair
Spreadsheet saints
Actin’ like they care
“Write it up
Log it in
We’ll review someday”
I leave with a limp and a shrug anyway
[Chorus]
I’m just countin’ chains
They’re countin’ days
I walk that line through the noise and rage
Arguin’
Fightin’
Same damn stage
Long shift life in a concrete cage
I’m just countin’ chains
They’re countin’ days
Holdin’ it down while the world looks away
Flip my heart like they flip those trays
Long shift life in a concrete cage (oh)
[Bridge]
Who checks my pulse when the code is clear?
Who signs my scars at the end of the year?
They go home early
I stay late
Rubber sole steps echo over all this weight
[Chorus]
I’m just countin’ chains
They’re countin’ days
I walk that line through the noise and rage
Arguin’
Fightin’
Same damn stage
Long shift life in a concrete cage
I’m just countin’ chains
They’re countin’ days
Holdin’ it down while the world looks away
If I don’t bend
Maybe I won’t break
Long shift life in a concrete cage (yeah, long shift life in a concrete cage)