Essays, Art and Plays by Dan

Hook

I might be broke, might walk alone tonight,
But I stand tall under these fading lights.
No crown of gold, just dust and pain,
But in my heart, I’m still the king.

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Verse 1

Yeah, I lost some ground, yeah, I paid my dues,
But I never sold my name for approval or views.
They judge a man by the shine he brings,
I judge mine by the weight of my spine and things.

Came up rough, never bent my knee,
Even when the world tried pressing me.
Boots still laced, back still straight,
I don’t ask permission from luck or fate.

They said, “Fall in line, play the game,”
I chose my road, I chose my name.
You can laugh, you can doubt my claim,
But I walk this dirt like I own my frame.

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Hook

I might be broke, might walk alone tonight,
But I stand tall under these fading lights.
No crown of gold, just dust and pain,
But in my heart, I’m still the king.

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Verse 2

I don’t bow for comfort, don’t kneel for praise,
I’ve stood my ground in the hardest days.
Mama taught me pride ain’t loud or mean,
It’s how you move when nobody sees.

I eat my losses, I drink my shame,
But I never spit on my family name.
I tip my hat to the road I chose,
A real man stands by the path he knows.

Country miles taught me self-respect,
You don’t trade your soul for a safety net.
A king ain’t crowned by silver or fame,
He’s crowned by how he shoulders blame.

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Bridge

They said kneel…
I said I’d rather stand.
If this is all I have—
It’s enough.

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Verse 3

I ain’t rich in cash, but I’m rich in code,
Every step I take on a self-made road.
From dust-town bars to open plains,
Same hard truth in a different lane.

I don’t need a throne or borrowed praise,
Just clear eyes and unbroken ways.
Say what you want, remember my name—
I stood upright through loss and gain.

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Final Hook

I might be broke, might walk alone tonight,
But I stand tall under these fading lights.
No crown of gold, just dust and pain,
But in my heart, I’m still the king.

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Outro

No throne.
No permission.
Still the king.

Copyright © 2026 Dan Campbell
All rights reserved. This song and its lyrics are protected by copyright and may not be used without permission. If you’d like to share or reuse it, please contact me first — I love hearing from listeners!