[Verse 1]
Mama said hold on
I been holdin' on tight
Empty tank, full heart
Tryna make it through the night
Car hop uniform on
Still got tears in my eyes
We were servin' them trays
Just to bring back some fries
Rent due on the table
Bills stacked to the ceilin'
Lost my brother last winter
Now I don't trust this feelin'
I smile for the customers
Then I dip to the back
Countin' small, countin' pain
Tryna make up the lack
[Pre-Chorus]
We was young, we was broke
Still we gave what we could
One meal, one shift
Just to say that we should
I been prayin' for change
While my hands stayed cold
If I fall, tell my people
I was tryna stay gold
[Chorus]
Pay the bills, pay the bills
Feed the home, feed the home
Car hop nights, car hop nights
We don't rest, we just go
Pain and loss, pain and loss
Still I keep movin' slow
For the plate, for the light
For the ones I call home
Pain and loss, pain and loss
Still I keep movin' slow
[Verse 2]
Seen my dawg in a casket
Seen my dreams in the trash
Had to laugh through the hurt
'Cause the hurt came too fast
Mama workin' two jobs
I was tryin' to match pace
Polish shoes, wipe the counters
Keep a smile on my face
Late tips in my pocket
Still we ate what we made
If the night got too heavy
We just prayed and we prayed
I don't want no more trophies
I just want us to eat
I just want my lil' brother
With a meal and new sneaks
[Pre-Chorus]
We was young, we was broke
Still we gave what we could
One meal, one shift
Just to say that we should
I been prayin' for change
While my hands stayed cold
If I fall, tell my people
I was tryna stay gold
[Chorus]
Pay the bills, pay the bills
Feed the home, feed the home
Car hop nights, car hop nights
We don't rest, we just go
Pain and loss, pain and loss
Still I keep movin' slow
For the plate, for the light
For the ones I call home
Pain and loss, pain and loss
Still I keep movin' slow
[Bridge]
If I vanish in the struggle
Let my name stay kind
I was broke, I was wounded
But I kept my line
No applause, no big moment
Just a bag and a prayer
Tryna feed everybody
With a little still there
[Final Chorus]
Pay the bills, pay the bills
Feed the home, feed the home
Car hop nights, car hop nights
We don't rest, we just go
Pain and loss, pain and loss
Still I keep movin' slow
For the plate, for the light
For the ones I call home
Pain and loss, pain and loss
Still I keep movin' slow