IRON CEDAR — “PAIN TO THE PAGES”

IRON CEDAR — “PAIN TO THE PAGES” [Intro] Yeah… Iron Cedar. Northwoods special. Came from the roots, baby. You can't disrespect the grind and think I won't see the truth. [Verse 1] Yeah, baby, I see you, skinny and fine, Big behind, got me caught up one time. But don't think looks give you permission To disrespect the grind or rewrite my vision. I built this hustle from the dirt and the roots, Northwoods raised, got the Timberwolf boots. I ain't gotta put my hands on you, I'ma put my pain in the booth and tell the truth. Ground up, Iron Cedar, that's the name, Every scar on my heart put a mark on the page. Long nights working, trying to build something right, While you were sneaking around, disappearing at night. I gave you my trust, gave you time I could spare, Working hard all day while you weren't even there. I thought we were solid, thought you understood, But betrayal showed me everything that you could. [Chorus] I put the pain to the pages, let it come to light, Turned the tears into verses, made the wrongs come right. You can try to break me, but I'm built for the fight, Not with my fists — with the truth and the mic. From the Northwoods dirt to the road where I roam, I learned sometimes walking away means going home. You can keep the lies, I ain't carrying that weight, Iron Cedar built himself — now I'm building my fate. [Verse 2] You were tiptoeing next door while I was putting in hours, Trying to build something real, trying to turn dreams into dollars. Little stories started changing every time that I asked, Then the truth came rolling out from underneath the mask. Met Ronnie at the bar, two shots down the street, Then the whole thing crashed when the truth hit the street. Now everybody talking, everybody got a picture, I'm standing there thinking, “How'd I ever miss ya?” Couldn't believe that I let it ruin my mind, Let somebody else's choices take control of my time. But I learned real quick what the struggle had taught: You can't build your future when you're chained to the past. So I packed up the pain, put the truth in the song, Turned everything you broke into something strong. You thought you could play me, thought I'd stay on the floor, But I found my way out and I walked through the door. [Chorus] I put the pain to the pages, let it come to light, Turned the tears into verses, made the wrongs come right. You can try to break me, but I'm built for the fight, Not with my fists — with the truth and the mic. From the Northwoods dirt to the road where I roam, I learned sometimes walking away means going home. You can keep the lies, I ain't carrying that weight, Iron Cedar built himself — now I'm building my fate. [Bridge — Country Breakdown] Ain't every battle gotta end with a fight, Sometimes you just leave and protect your peace at night. Let the highway roll, let the old pain fade, Every mile I drive is another choice I made. Hard work, dedication, that's the price that I paid, Now the seeds that I planted are starting to get made. From the roots to the branches, from the dirt to the sky, Iron Cedar still standing — and I'm still gonna rise. [Final Verse] So don't confuse my kindness for weakness again, I know who I am and I know where I've been. I don't need revenge, I don't need your apology, I'm too busy building up the man I'm supposed to be. You had your chance, but the chapter is closed, I got roads to travel and a dream to compose. Skinny and fine, yeah, you caught my eye, But beauty ain't enough when the truth's built on lies. Now I'm focused on the future, got my hands on the wheel, Turning pain into purpose, making something that's real. Northwoods in my blood, Iron Cedar in my name, Every setback I survived put more fire in the flame. You can talk, you can laugh, you can tell your side, But I'm standing on the truth with my head held high. I took everything I lost and I turned it to gold, That's what happens when a man refuses to fold. [Outro] Pain to the pages. Pages to the stage. Stage to the future. Iron Cedar. From the roots. Northwoods raised. Built through the hard times. And I'm still standing.