Further Than I’ve Ever Been

[Verse 1]
Hand-me-down shoes
Holes in the floor of that tiny room
Arguing through the paper walls
Every slammed door felt like it hit us too
Saw my mama fold under fists
Kitchen light buzzing, bruises on her wrists
I was eight, but I aged ten years
Counting every crack, trying not to hear
Hid my homework under tears and plates
Burn marks on the stove, food stamps on the fridge
Neighbors turned the TV up
So they didn’t hear the hits, they just heard the kids
[Chorus]
Now I’m further than I’ve ever been
I’m still carrying the hurt, but I’m stronger than it’s ever been
They tried to break us in that little house
I walked out of that fire, I’m a better man now
I’m further than I’ve ever been
I turned every single scar to a step I could climb again
They put me on my knees back then
But I got up, I got up, and I’m never going back to them (yeah)
[Verse 2]
I remember fists to my ribs
Lying ‘bout the bruises when they asked how I lived
“Just fell on the bike” was the line I’d give
But the eyes in the mirror knew the truth I hid
Took that fear, turned it into drive
Late nights, headphones, plotting my life
Said I’d never let a child of mine
Hear those same screams coming through the night
Now mama in an apartment safe
New couch, new laugh, new smile on her face
I pay the bill with the pain they gave
Funny how the hate they threw became my wage
[Chorus]
Now I’m further than I’ve ever been
I’m still carrying the hurt, but I’m stronger than it’s ever been
They tried to break us in that little house
I walked out of that fire, I’m a better man now
I’m further than I’ve ever been
I turned every single scar to a step I could climb again
They put me on my knees back then
But I got up, I got up, and I’m never going back to them (never)
[Bridge]
To the kid in the corner, face in his hands
You ain’t what they did, you’re more than their hands
One breath, one step, that’s where it begins
You’re hurt, but you’re not finished yet, you can win (you can win)
[Chorus]
Now I’m further than I’ve ever been
I’m still carrying the hurt, but I’m stronger than it’s ever been
They tried to break us in that little house
I walked out of that fire, I’m a better man now
I’m further than I’ve ever been
I turned every single scar to a step I could climb again
They put me on my knees back then
But I got up, I got up, and I’m never going back to them

rap, Tight, mid-tempo boom-bap with deep kick and crisp snare, moody piano loop and warm sub-bass. Male vocals, intimate verse flow that builds intensity; hook widens with layered doubles and soft gospel-style hums. Subtle vinyl crackle and distant choir pad in the background to add grit and uplift as the track progresses.