They Know My Name

Lyrics

[Intro] Started with a name nobody knew Now every room turns when I come through [Verse 1] Mama kept the rent in a coffee tin I wrote my first plan on the paper within Bus ride downtown with a coat too thin One clean shirt and a stubborn grin I took small rooms, made the back row lean Passed out my number by the corner deli No hand-me-down crown, no borrowed key Just a stack of long nights and a clear-eyed dream [Pre-Chorus] One call turned to ten, then the whole town came I kept my feet on the ground while they learned my name [Chorus] Now they know my name, know my name From the first small stage to the bright marquee I made my way, I made my way Built this fortune one step at a time Now they know my name, know my name Every door swings wide when I walk in I rose from the bottom, I earned this place And I still remember where I began [Verse 2] First check came folded in a plain white sleeve I paid back the folks who believed in me Bought Mom a house with a porch out front Watched her laugh when she turned that key Then the sold-out dates and the long black cars My face on a paper by the checkout bars But I still shake hands, still make that call Still know the names of the ones who stood tall [Pre-Chorus] One call turned to ten, then the whole town came I kept my feet on the ground while they learned my name [Chorus] Now they know my name, know my name From the first small stage to the bright marquee I made my way, I made my way Built this fortune one step at a time Now they know my name, know my name Every door swings wide when I walk in I rose from the bottom, I earned this place And I still remember where I began [Bridge] The gold on my wrist can't tell the whole story The miles, the doubt, the nights before glory If you see me up here, know I climbed every stair And I carry my people wherever I go [Breakdown] Say it loud — they know my name From the first day — I stayed the same Say it loud — I made my way Kept my word and I earned my place [Final Chorus] Now they know my name, know my name From the first small stage to the bright marquee I made my way, I made my way Built this fortune one step at a time Now they know my name, know my name Every door swings wide when I walk in I rose from the bottom, I earned this place And I still remember where I began [Outro] They know my name I remember where I began They know my name