Ironhearted

Lyrics

[Intro] [Instrumental: tense strings build, orchestral risers, brass hit] [Verse 1] I learned to lace my boots with the floor still shaking, Cold sink, cracked tile, whole house waking. They said, “Know your place,” so I mapped every exit, Kept my name clean when the room got reckless. Auntie kept the porch light on through the hard rain, I came home with a plan and a pocket of change. Every closed door taught my hands where to knock, Every lost round put more steel in the clock. [Chorus] Ironhearted, I don't fold when the pressure comes down, Feet set firm, let the whole room hear that sound. Built from the days when the cupboard ran thin, I took every no and made a way in. Ironhearted, still I carry my own, Turned that long road into stepping stones. If the weight says stop, I answer, “Not yet,” I’m still here, still rising, still earning respect. [Verse 2] I know what it costs when you promise and stay, When the rent wants its due and the check’s two days away. Had a cracked phone screen, one call left to make, Said, “Give me one chance,” then I gave all it takes. No borrowed crown, no shortcut, no disguise, Just a steady right hand and a clear-set eye. My circle stayed small, but the roots went deep, Now the same folks who doubted got a front-row seat. [Chorus] Ironhearted, I don't fold when the pressure comes down, Feet set firm, let the whole room hear that sound. Built from the days when the cupboard ran thin, I took every no and made a way in. Ironhearted, still I carry my own, Turned that long road into stepping stones. If the weight says stop, I answer, “Not yet,” I’m still here, still rising, still earning respect. [Break: spoken rap over stripped strings] Listen—there were nights I counted every bill twice. I was scared. I just refused to let fear make the choice. I called my mother from a parking lot and told her I was fine. She heard the silence between my words. So I went back in the next morning. Not because I knew I would win— because quitting would have made the struggle mean nothing. [Final Chorus] Ironhearted, I don't fold when the pressure comes down, Feet set firm, let the whole room hear that sound. Built from the days when the cupboard ran thin, I took every no and made a way in. Ironhearted, still I carry my own, Turned that long road into stepping stones. If the weight says stop, I answer, “Not yet,” I’m still here, still rising, still earning respect. [Outro] Still here, still rising. Ironhearted.