Corner Store Testimony (version 2)

Intro

Bell above the door, same four notes since '95

Otis at the register, counting nickels, no surprise

Milk carton clock ticking, everybody passing through

Say more standing at that counter than they say at home, that's true

Verse 1

Nine years old, sneaking candy up my sleeve

Otis heard the wrapper crinkle, said "put it back, believe"

Didn't call my mother, didn't raise his voice at all

Just slid the candy back and said "now you owe the wall"

Made me mop the freezer aisle three Saturdays for free

Taught me debt ain't always dollars, sometimes it's history

Ledger by the register, spiral-bound and torn

Half the block was in it, penciled names since I was born

Mrs. Cade for formula, Duane for his insulin

Otis never chased a soul, just wrote the numbers in

Said "money comes back slower than the trust that let it go"

I was young, ain't understand it — now I fully know

Watched a man cry buying scratch-offs, wouldn't say for what

Watched a girl come home from county, bought her pack, stayed shut

Corner store don't ask you nothing, corner store just holds

Every version of a person that the street already told

Chorus

Corner store testimony

That's the only church we got

Bell above the door my witness

Say it low or say it not

Verse 2

Twenty years later, I'm behind that counter, apron on

Otis moved down south, left the keys and just moved on

Left the ledger too, said some folks still owe from way back

I said "Otis, that's old debt" — he said "debt don't fade like