[Verse 1]
Woke up in the same clothes
Pocket full of loose change, big goals
Mama said “we prayed, now go”
I carved “rise” in the desk at school
Hand-me-down shoes, still runnin'
Whole block say we destined for nothin'
I turned every “no” to “keep comin'”
Talk cheap, I let hunger say somethin' (yeah)
[Chorus]
You can ignite
Strike that pain, turn it into light
Believe in humanity, hold that line
Heart made of bleeding steel, still shine
Don't let poverty talk like a god
Don't let that chain write who you are
You are persistence
You are persistence (say it)
You are persistence
You are the spark
[Verse 2]
Dark days, but my mind stay colder
Dreams heavy like weight on my shoulders
They laugh now, but their echo get older
I stay movin', my grind get bolder
House full of “later,” I wanted it now
Stared at the fridge, then I wrote me a vow
“Die on my feet, never live on my knees”
I tattooed that promise on the back of my teeth (grit)
[Chorus]
You can ignite
Strike that pain, turn it into light
Believe in humanity, hold that line
Heart made of bleeding steel, still shine
Don't let poverty talk like a god
Don't let that chain write who you are
You are persistence
You are persistence (yeah)
You are persistence
You are the spark