Verse 1

Mama counted coins by the kitchen light,

Thin walls shook when the landlord came by.

He learned real young how to keep his head down,

School bus left while he watched from the steps outside.

Cold lunch, worn shoes, one coat for the rain,

Little brother asleep while he swallowed the shame.

At twelve, he was fixing bikes behind the store,

At sixteen, folks knew him for a different name.

Chorus

On that block, every choice had a price,

He was chasing quick cash, trying to keep them alive.

Then the sirens cut through, blue-red in his eyes,

One loud night, one mistake—and the whole world went quiet.

Verse 2

He started moving little bags by the laundromat,

Said, “Just till the rent’s paid,” then he doubled back.

Kept his little brother far from the corner crowd,