Gate of Gold

[Intro] Dust on the skyline, sirens in the distance, midnight chrome I’m counting every brick I’ve walked, every stumble carved in soot and foam [Verse 1] Concrete lungs, I breathe grind, pocket full of weathered dreams Trash-streaked sidewalks whisper deals, I hear the hunger in the screams Boots scrape puddled neon, I’m chasing time that never lands Fists clenched, heart loud as a drumline, I’m writing futures with my hands [Pre-Chorus] I’ve learned to taste the grit, swallow fear and spit out doubt Every setback teaches me the tune to figure life out [Chorus] I’m rise-by-rise, stairwell faith, I won’t break, I won’t fold Scarred palms tell a story bold, a fire that won’t go cold From shadowed corners to brightened doors, I’m walking through the gate of gold I won’t stop till the city knows my name, till I’m finally in control [Verse 2] Sirens echo like a chorus of the streets I’ll outsing I count the losses in my ledger, turn losses into balancing Breath steady, pulse right on tempo, I move with a wary grace Ambition tucked under my ribs, I’m breaking free from this tight place [Pre-Chorus] I’ve learned to taste the grit, swallow fear and spit out doubt Every setback teaches me the tune to figure life out [Chorus] I’m rise-by-rise, stairwell faith, I won’t break, I won’t fold Scarred palms tell a story bold, a fire that won’t go cold From shadowed corners to brightened doors, I’m walking through the gate of gold I won’t stop till the city knows my name, till I’m finally in control [Bridge] There’s a moment when the rain dries and you finally hear your own breath When the mirror stops lying, you see the roadmap earned by every breath I whisper to the skyline, tonight I own what’s been owed I’ve weathered every storm with a stubborn, stubborn code [Chorus] I’m rise-by-rise, stairwell faith, I won’t break, I won’t fold Scarred palms tell a story bold, a fire that won’t go cold From shadowed corners to brightened doors, I’m walking through the gate of gold I won’t stop till the city knows my name, till I’m finally in control [Outro] City hums like a heartbeat; I answer with a quiet, earned glow The streets taught me to hustle, but I learned to own the road