Don't tread on me

Lyrics

(Verse 1) I don’t need a fortune or a crowd at my side To know when to help and to know when to fight I’ve got kindness enough for a stranger in need And steel enough under it to make sure I succeed I’ll give you the shirt off my back if you’re cold I’ll share what I got till the story is told But don’t take the open hand for a sign that I’m weak ’Cause the line that I draw is a line that I keep (Chorus) True power ain’t money and it ain’t bein’ mean It’s the calm in your chest when the storm’s in between I’ve got the wolf in the cage and the key in my hand And the wisdom to know when to open the gate I’ll lift a man up when the world has him down But come for what I care about and you’ll pay the price It never ends well for the bully who confuses The quiet with the harmless, the mercy with the fear (Verse 2) I’ve watched the loud talkers push till they break They think a raised voice is the only mistake But the ones who can finish it rarely announce They just stand in the silence and wait for the bounce I learned long ago that the hard part is holdin’ Not the swing of the fist or the words that you’re throwin’ You can walk on my ground if you stay in your lane But cross it one time and you’ll learn what remains (Chorus) True power ain’t money and it ain’t bein’ mean It’s the calm in your chest when the storm’s in between I’ve got the wolf in the cage and the key in my hand And the wisdom to know when to open the gate I’ll lift a man up when the world has him down But come for what I care about and you’ll pay the price It never ends well for the bully who confuses The quiet with the harmless, the mercy with the fear (Bridge) My secret stays buried till somebody digs They see the soft edges and forget what’s beneath I’ve got empathy plenty to give what I can And enough of the savage to protect what I am The power’s in choosin’ to help when you could end That’s the outlaw code I live by till the end (Final Chorus) True power ain’t money and it ain’t bein’ mean It’s the calm in your chest when the storm’s in between I’ve got the wolf in the cage and the key in my hand And the wisdom to know when to open the gate I’ll take the shirt off my back for a stranger in need But come for what I care about and you’ll pay the price It never ends well for the bully When he mistakes the mercy for weakness