Intro
Vance Street Pawn, bell above the door still rings the same
Odell's ledger older than the block, keeps every name
Third floor walk-up, radiator coughing out its steam
That's the room I learned that scars will finance any dream
Verse
Third of the month, rent due, momma counting change again
I grabbed my father's watch, the one he left in eighty-ten
Walked it down to Vance Street, Odell squinting through the light
Said this here's a Bulova, but the hands don't hold their price
Gave me ninety dollars, wrote it down in fading pen
Told me thirty days, I'll hold it safe until then
Never came back for it, spent the ticket on a phone bill
Watched the hour hand stop turning through the pawn shop window sill
Every scar's got a story, this the first one that I sold
Traded time for shelter when the winter got too cold
Momma touched my face and said the weight was never mine to hold
So I kept the ticket folded like a debt that can't be told
Learned that early, learned it heavy, learned it walking home alone
Some things you give up quiet just to keep a roof your own
Chorus
Scars I keep spending, spend 'em till they shine
Every one's a receipt from a rougher time
Pawned the pain for progress, kept the interest low
Scars I keep spending, that's the only cash I know
Verse
Dee gave me that chain the summer we turned sixteen
Said it's brotherhood in gold plate, wear it, know what it mean
Two years later he called me shook, said he needed bail
