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
