God I tried

"AT LEAST I TRIED" (Joshua Bates — hook lines by Joshua, verses & bridge built with Merlin) [HOOK] Been in the pits most of my life, just tryna survive, Every day's a fight, but I'm still alive. Had to make a decision — spread my wings and fly, See why I fly so high, touch the sky. I'll never be the one to ever say goodbye, And win or lose, at least I tried, at least I tried. [VERSE 1] Woke up in the struggle with the rent past due, Empty pockets, empty fridge, what am I gon' do? Calloused hands, heavy loads, that's the life I live, Lifting everybody's weight when I got none to give. They see the bottom of the pit and think it ends right there, But a man ain't made by the fall — he made by getting up outta there. Mama prayed through the pain, said "son, hold on," So I wipe the dirt off my knees and I push on strong. Every scar on my skin got a story to tell, I done walked through the fire, I done slept in the hell, But the devil couldn't keep me, no, the grave couldn't hold, There's a fire in my chest that could never go cold. [HOOK] [VERSE 2] I done buried some dreams and I buried some friends, Seen the strong ones fold when the pressure don't end. So I talk to the Lord when the nights get black, Ask Him carry my load when it's breaking my back. I ain't perfect, Lord knows I done stumbled and fell, But I'd rather die trying than sit and just dwell. For my family I grind, for my name I stand, Every brick that I stack, I'ma build with these hands. Let 'em laugh at the bottom, let 'em doubt my climb, While they sleeping on me, I been serving my time. When I make it to the top, I'ma reach back down, Pull my people out the pit, turn this whole thing 'round. [BRIDGE] (slow it down, talk to 'em) To the ones still down in the pit tonight... Hands dirty, heart heavy, no end in sight... I ain't gon' lie to you — the climb ain't fair, But the view from the top starts with one step up them stairs. You don't need permission, and you don't need a sign, All you need is a reason and a made-up mind. So when they ask me how a man like me survived, I'll just point to the sky... and thank God I tried. [HOOK] (x2 to close)