Intro (4 bars) — big vocal, hits immediately
Lord, I been living on the edge of a decision (yeah)
Trying to sing through the smoke, but it’s messing with my vision (my vision)
Porch lights in the distance, but the street keep calling (calling)
If I choose peace tonight, why it feel like I’m falling? (why?).................................
Verse 1 (10 bars)
Since a teen I been off the leash, running where the wolves be
Every “right” choice cost two, that’s the math that it taught me
Blood money in my pocket, it stain up my fingertips
Tryna wash it with some prayer, but it don’t come off like this
Dog-eat-dog world—yeah, I learned to bite to eat
But I’m tired of this shit, I’m trying to get clean
Smile in the mirror, but my eyes don’t match
World on my back like I’m Atlas with a crack in the map
Every loss on my chest like a chain that won’t drop
And every win feel temporary like it came with a clock
Chorus (6 bars)
Porch lights look like halos, but they far from my block (so far)
I got blood money in my pocket, got the world on my back (too heavy)
One in the chamber—meaning one more mistake and I’m done (one more)
Death before dishonor, that’s the code that I’m from (that’s law)
Lord, tell me which way—love or war in my veins (which way?)
I’m tryna make it home without losing my name (amen)
Verse 2 (10 bars)
Love don’t live long when your home got alarms
I can’t give my heart when my hands got scars
Friends turned to ghosts and them ghosts call my phone
Like “come back outside,” like I’m not trying to grow
I been sleeping with one eye, even when I’m in church
’Cause peace feel foreign when you raised in the dirt
I keep one in the chamber of my thoughts—one slip and it’s over
So I move like a chess piece, cold shoulder to shoulder
They say I changed—nah, I just seen too much
When you lose more than you gain, you don’t dream, you clutch
Bridge (4 bars)
Porch lights, show me home—show me somewhere I can breathe (breathe)
Take this weight off my spine, take this rage out my teeth (please)
If the streets want my soul, tell me what do I leave (tell me)
’Cause I’m trying to be a man, not a myth in the street (no…)
Chorus (6 bars)
Porch lights look like halos, but they far from my block (so far)
I got blood money in my pocket, got the world on my back (too heavy)
One in the chamber—meaning one more mistake and I’m done (one more)
Death before dishonor, that’s the code that I’m from (that’s law)
Lord, tell me which way—love or war in my veins (which way?)
I’m tryna make it home without losing my name (amen)
Chorus (repeat) (6 bars)
Porch lights look like halos, but they far from my block (so far)
I got blood money in my pocket, got the world on my back (too heavy)
One in the chamber—meaning one more mistake and I’m done (one more)
Death before dishonor, that’s the code that I’m from (that’s law)
Lord, tell me which way—love or war in my veins (which way?)
I’m tryna make it home without losing my name (amen)