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Spoken version
A recorded reading of “Gravel & Gold”. If the player does not load, use the original audio source.
Boots spark through curb grit; knuckles ache clean. Under dust, the road keeps its seam of shine. Pain proves motion; sweat salts the claim. Hard—then bright— we chant till the stones consent. No throne, no key—just breath that bites, and ore we shoulder from our own dark.
Alternative version
Sparks off a broken kerb; dust between my teeth still teaches. Oil-stain knuckles knock again; keep the clean applause. If it hurts, I’m moving; I don’t need easy, I need bold. Hard— then bright: we turn it into light. Gravel and gold, heart and bone; not a throne—just grit and me.
Lyrics
(Yeah—) Boots throw sparks on a broken curb, Dust in my teeth, still I learn. Gravel road with a golden seam, Hard place, but it feeds my dream. Oil-stain hands, knuckles sore, Still I knock on the next door. They can keep their clean applause, I’m building mine from dirt and cause. If it hurts, it means I’m moving, If I’m tired, I’m still proving. I don’t need easy, I need bold, I don’t need heaven, I need hold. Hard— Hard then bright, That’s the way we make a life. Hard then bright, Watch us turn it into light. Gravel and gold, heart and bones, We don’t quit when we’re alone. (Whoa-oh-oh) feel it start, (Whoa-oh-oh) in my dark. Street sweeper sparks in the gutter lane, Laughing at the mess like “okay.” Every setback’s just a test To see how hard I want the rest. Receipt paper, cheap and thin, Still it proves I walked in. Name on the ink like a little crown, I don’t need theirs to hold me down. If it hurts, it means I’m moving, If I’m tired, I’m still proving. I don’t need easy, I need bold, I don’t need heaven, I need hold. Stand— up— Hard then bright, That’s the way we make a life. Hard then bright, Watch us turn it into light. Gravel and gold, heart and bones, We don’t quit when we’re alone. (Whoa-oh-oh) feel it start, (Whoa-oh-oh) in my dark. Break free, Let be, Hands up, Chest breathe. No throne, No key, Just grit And me. Now— Hard then bright… [Lead] Hard— [BVs] THEN BRIGHT! [Lead] Gravel— [BVs] AND GOLD!
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