I Learned Peace the Hard Way

Nobody taught me this. I had to earn it.

I learned how to bleed before I learned restraint Learned how to lose before I learned what it takes I swung first, asked questions later Thought noise meant I was strong Funny how the loudest lessons Took the longest to be wrong

Every scar had somethin’ to say I just didn’t listen then

I learned peace the hard way Paid for every inch Lost more than I needed Just to see what mattered since I don’t raise my voice now I don’t rush the fight I learned peace the hard way And I guard it with my life

I’ve buried words I wanted said Bite marks still on my tongue I’ve walked away from battles I would’ve died for when I was young They mistake my calm for weakness That’s fine, I let ‘em think I ain’t scared of what they don’t know I’m scared of losin’ what I keep

Some wars don’t end in victory They end in understanding

I learned peace the hard way Through fire and regret Through nights I won’t remember And days I can’t forget I don’t prove myself to strangers I don’t cross my own lines I learned peace the hard way And it cost me damn near everything to find

I ain’t holy I ain’t healed I just know what’s fake And what is real So if I don’t react like you expect If I don’t rise to bait That ain’t fear, that ain’t surrender That’s a man who learned the stakes

I learned peace the hard way I won’t trade it now I don’t live in constant tension I don’t bow to every sound I’ve been chaos, I’ve been quiet I know both sides of the line I learned peace the hard way And I won’t apologize for mine

Yeah… Some lessons only stick when they cost you enough.

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