Grahame Park

Lyrics

[Intro] Freddie, Colindale Grahame Park raised me No silver spoon, just lessons early [Verse 1] Grew up where the lifts broke down for weeks Mum counted coins while the kettle clicked Grahame Park, cold stairs, thin walls, loud nights Learned to read a room before I learned my rights Colindale wind came straight through the frame Every front door carried a different kind of pain Kids played football by the bins till dark Then everybody ran when the sirens marked I knew which shops let you owe till Friday Which mums kept spare plates for the kids nearby School shirt faded, trainers split at the toe Still walked in proud like nobody should know Had a temper from the pressure, heart from the home When the streets got heavy, I carried my own They saw a rough boy, never saw the cost Freddie kept moving, even when he felt lost [Chorus] I came from Grahame Park, where the hard days stay Colindale made me find a different way Had dirt on my name, had fear in my chest Still I rose from the flats, still I gave my best Freddie, remember every door that slammed Every night you survived made you who you am They can talk about the past, but they don't know the start I built something strong from a breaking heart [Verse 2] Some nights food went quiet, nobody complained You learn love can be present while the cupboard looks strained Mum worked tired, eyes low, still she made it feel safe Put the last bit aside so we could share one plate Friends turned distant, some got pulled by the road Some wore bravado like a permanent coat I saw good people change for a quick little win Saw grief sit down beside us and never clock in The estate taught maths with the rent and the bills Taught patience through the queues and the unpaid tills Taught me every loud mouth might be hiding a bruise And a man gets defined by the choice that he chooses I had anger like thunder trapped under my skin But I kept one small promise: don't let it win Now I speak for the child who was scared to be seen For the boy in Colindale who still dared to dream [Chorus] I came from Grahame Park, where the hard days stay Colindale made me find a different way Had dirt on my name, had fear in my chest Still I rose from the flats, still I gave my best Freddie, remember every door that slammed Every night you survived made you who you am They can talk about the past, but they don't know the start I built something strong from a breaking heart [Bridge] If I go back now, I can still see the boy Holding onto hope like a half-broken toy He didn't need saving, he needed one chance One voice saying, Freddie, you can still advance So this is for the families making ends meet For the ones finding courage on a concrete street The place was rough, but it wasn't the whole Grahame Park gave scars, I gave them a soul [Final Chorus] I came from Grahame Park, where the hard days stay Colindale made me find a different way Had dirt on my name, had fear in my chest Still I rose from the flats, still I gave my best Freddie, remember every door that slammed Every night you survived made you who you am They can talk about the past, but they don't know the start I built something strong from a breaking heart [Outro] From Grahame Park to wherever I go I carry the truth, but I don't owe the road Freddie grew up rough, Freddie learned to stand Colindale in my blood, future in my hands