[Verse 1]
Back when the screen doors slammed
And the block was all hands
Mama prayed in the sink light
While the rent ate plans
I learned math from the corner
Two for one, five for ten
Snow on the window panes
We was kids, then men
Ford signs on the horizon
Bus ride home in the gray
School lunch, cold french fries
Then we skated away
Cass Ave in my chest
8 Mile in my shoes
Every cracked front step
Had a story to lose
[Pre-Chorus]
We was raised on patience
Raised on pride
Raised on work
And the hurt we hide
If you know that feeling
Keep it alive
Detroit in the veins
We survive
[Chorus]
Detroit made me hard
Detroit made me wise
Detroit, keep my name
Detroit in my eyes
(Detroit made me)
(Detroit made me)
I came up rough
But I came up alive
[Verse 2]
Started off with hand-me-downs
Too-big coat, too-small dreams
Cousins on the porch steps
Trading lines and schemes
Radio loud in the kitchen
Moms said, "Boy, turn that down"
But that was our parade
When the whole house bounced
Snow boots by the radiator
Coin jar full of change
If you wanted something better
You had to earn that strange
I seen good men bend
I seen bad luck grin
Seen a little bit of both
Trying to get us in
[Pre-Chorus]
We was raised on patience
Raised on pride
Raised on work
And the hurt we hide
If you know that feeling
Keep it alive
Detroit in the veins
We survive
[Chorus]
Detroit made me hard
Detroit made me wise
Detroit, keep my name
Detroit in my eyes
(Detroit made me)
(Detroit made me)
I came up rough
But I came up alive
[Bridge]
And I still see the corners
Where the summer felt slow
Kids with torn-up sneakers
Moving where the wind blow
Every scar was a teacher
Every loss had a face
Now I carry that city
Like a beat I can't erase
[Chorus]
Detroit made me hard
Detroit made me wise
Detroit, keep my name
Detroit in my eyes
(Detroit made me)
(Detroit made me)
I came up rough
But I came up alive