Don’t Chase It Like I Did

I’m seventy-six… Ain’t got much left to prove… But I got somethin’ to tell you…

I was born in a house with a leakin’ roof Mama worked nights, daddy drank the truth Swore I’d never live that kind of life Said I’d get rich or die in the fight

First job, eighteen, covered in grease Hands cut up, but I felt like a beast Foreman said, “boy, you got that drive” I said, “yeah… I’m gettin’ outta this life”

Saved every dollar, skipped every night Friends raised hell, I stayed in and fought Thought if I just kept stackin’ it high I’d wake up one day finally feelin’ alright

Kept tellin’ myself, “just a little more…” Didn’t know what I was really workin’ for

Don’t chase it like I did Don’t trade your soul just to say you did I had the money, the house, the name But none of that shit ever killed the pain

All those years I can’t rewind All that life I left behind If you hear me now, listen close, kid — Don’t chase it like I did

Met a girl when I was twenty-three She laughed like the world made sense to me Said “slow down, you’re missin’ your days” I said “baby, I’m just buildin’ our way”

She waited around for a couple years Then packed her things through quiet tears Left a note on the kitchen sink Said “you love your work more than you love me”

I read that line about a hundred times Still went to work the very next night Got promoted, got a bigger check But I still hear her voice in my head

Kept sayin’ “I’ll fix it when I get ahead…” But some things don’t wait — they just end

Don’t chase it like I did Don’t lose your life just to build it big I had the money, the land, the keys But I ate alone most nights in peace

All those years I can’t rewind All that love I left behind If you hear me now, listen close, kid — Don’t chase it like I did

Now I sit on a porch with a quiet view Got a truck I don’t drive, got nothin’ to prove Kids don’t call, don’t blame ‘em much I was never home, never around enough

Got a box of things I thought I’d need Old pay stubs and receipts Funny how none of it means a damn When you’re holdin’ time in a shakin’ hand

Listen… You don’t need to be broke You don’t need to be small Just don’t give your whole life To somethin’ that don’t give back at all

Don’t chase it like I did Don’t burn your years just to say you lived Fill your days with somethin’ real Not just numbers you can’t even feel

All that money won’t hold you tight Won’t sit with you late at night When it’s all said and done, you’ll see what’s real — It’s the time you gave… and the love you feel

I’m seventy-six… And if I could do it again…

I wouldn’t chase it like I did…

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