No Folding the Frame

Lyrics

[Intro] Kick dust off the threshold, boots on the floor No polished invitation, we are kicking the door [Verse 1] I came up where the winter puts a lock on the lake Where a promise gets tested by the choices you make Every block got a lesson, every loss got a name I was young with a notebook turning pressure to flame No handout, no shortcut, no silver in reach Had to sharpen every sentence till the grit hit the speech Now the room goes quiet when the first line lands I built this from the basement with my own two hands [Chorus] No retreat, no excuse, no folding the frame Put the weight on my back, still I shoulder the strain From the cold side of town to the front of the stage We turn hard days into fuel and we tear through the cage [Verse 2] I know doubt by its posture, know fear by its grin Know the sound of a closed door, still I walk back in Got a calendar scarred with the work I completed Every setback got studied, every weakness deleted They want shine without sweat, want the crown without cost I want truth in the booth for the friends that we lost If the road gets narrow, I get sharper and move If the doubt gets louder, give it something to prove [Bridge] Stand firm when the room says wait Stay loud when they seal that gate No borrowed name, no borrowed praise We came too far to live halfway [Chorus] No retreat, no excuse, no folding the frame Put the weight on my back, still I shoulder the strain From the cold side of town to the front of the stage We turn hard days into fuel and we tear through the cage [Outro] Still here, still ready, still writing the proof Every scar in the page, every word from the truth