Rising Like Smoke (Version 2)

Verse 1

Three years down on the same four walls

Same job title, different bills to pay

Every paycheck just keeps me here

Chasing numbers I'll never own

Warehouse window, half a block away

Lights go dark at seven, come home gray

I watch it burn but I'm stuck in place

Watching everyone else leave this space

Pre-Chorus

Something inside is finally breaking through

It's not the job, it's me and you

Chorus

Rising like smoke off a fire that won't die

Let the old weight rise so the new can come alive

Every night I feel it burning in my chest

I was stuck but now I'm free at last, free at last

Verse 2

Six months later and the window's mine now

Painting sunrises on a wall of glass

Screws come loose every time I walk out

City hums different than before tonight

Old boss asks if I'll stay the same way

I say no more, this floor won't hold me down

Someone else's shadow used to fill the frame

Now it's mine alone and it don't feel small

Pre-Chorus

Something inside is finally breaking through

It's not the job, it's me and you

Chorus

Rising like smoke off a fire that won't die

Let the old weight rise so the new can come alive

Every night I feel it burning in my chest

I was stuck but now I'm free at last, free at last

Bridge

Not about what anyone else says or does

It's the way you look at me like we both knew this day was coming

Every hour spent just getting ready to rise

Was worth the wait and the doubt that tried

Chorus

Rising like smoke off a fire that won't die

Let the old weight rise so the new can come alive

Every night I feel it burning in my chest

I was stuck but now I'm free at last, free at last