Intro
Otis' shop, corner of Vance and Third
Mirror cracked since '99, still catches every word
Clippers hum low while the old heads spin their tales
Scars for a discount, respect measured out in scales
Verse 1
I was eight when a bike chain caught my shin
Showed it to Otis, he cut my hair free again
Learned it quick — a mark could pay a bill
Learned it slower what it costs to keep it still
Marcus had one shaped like a question mark on his jaw
Told it different every visit, made the young boys pause
I copied the swagger before I had a scar to show
Faked a limp all week just to make the story grow
Then the real one came, glass from a busted window pane
Sixteen stitches, Momma crying, said it wasn't worth the name
Wore it like a medal walking down to Vance Street court
Every head that turned was just a version of support
Didn't tell them Malik took the fall that made it happen
Held his hand through surgery, watched his mother clapping
For the doctor, not for me, cause I ain't earn that praise
Learned respect ain't free, it's just a scar delayed
Hook
Scars we pawned for a little respect
Paid the interest in things we forget
Every mark got a price, every price left a debt
Scars we pawned, still ain't paid it off yet
Verse 2
Ten years later I'm the one behind the chair
Same cracked mirror, same clippers cutting air
Young boy walks in with a burn scar on his wrist
Says a candle fell, I know a story when it's missed
I don't ask him twice, I just cut it close and clean
Tell him keep the story for himself, don't make it
