Circuit Syndicate Anthem

Lyrics

IntroEighth grade, one Latino in the hallway, eyes on me when I walked through the door Head down, but my mind on the future, heart saying “you were made for more”Verse 1God parent house, new school, new faces Only one like me in a crowd of new races Science class, I was tryna learn basics Everybody clowning, but I stayed in my pagesWalked in quiet, but my purpose got loud Didn’t need attention, I was different from the crowd Metal in my headphones, pain in my chest Told myself, “focus, put your mind to the test”Verse 2Black girl laughing, tryna pull me off track Asked me some things, I wasn’t tryna answer back I said, “on King Joseph, I’m protecting my soul I’m here for this knowledge, not to lose control”She said I’m lame, that I’m boring, I’m weak But I’m saving myself, that ain’t soft, that’s unique I ain’t speeding life up just to say that I did I’d rather build a future than be stuck as a kidHookI was just a kid tryna make it through the pain Only Latino in the class, walking in the rain Metal in my ears, but the vision in my brain Turned all of that pressure into honor on my nameTop of my class, they ain’t see what it cost Smiling on the surface, underneath I felt lost Still I made A’s when they counted me off Turned every single wound to a reason not to stopChordsVerse 3Caseworkers came, said, “we got news for you We can take you to your family, set a visit or two” I nodded my head, but inside I felt strange Like the same hands that broke us tryna call it a changeWalked in that room with a storm in my chest Wanted to say, “you already did your best To damage what we had, now you acting like you care” But I swallowed all the words and just sat in that chairHook (repeat)I was just a kid tryna make it through the pain Only Latino in the class, walking in the rain Metal in my ears, but the vision in my brain Turned all of that pressure into honor on my nameTop of my class, they ain’t see what it cost Smiling on the surface, underneath I felt lost Still I made A’s when they counted me off Turned every single wound to a reason not to stopVerse 4Back to school after meetings and stress Still chasing A’s, trying to give it my best Teachers said, “you’re making progress, stay on this road” Didn’t see the nights crying, just the honor rollBut that’s how it goes when you rise from the hurt You learn to turn trauma into fuel for the work From that little science class to the man I became I protect my spirit and I honor my nameOutroEighth grade hallways fade into the past But the lessons that I learned from it still gonna last From lonely little kid in a system so cold To a voice with a story that deserves to be told [Angel singing]