Tough or Die
Surviving Streets: Kyle McKearney's Anthem of Grit
Lyrics
Left my home when I was fourteen
Left home at the age of fourteen.
Daddy went to Nashville chasin' dreams
Father pursued dreams in Nashville.
My brother was young and my ma was high
Young brother, and mother struggling with addiction.
Son you better get tough or die
Advice to toughen up or face challenges.
Left that oil town behind my back
Left the hometown, played guitar passionately.
Played my guitar like a paperback
Guitar played intensely, akin to a gripping novel.
Saw the writing on the marquee sign
Awareness signaled by a marquee sign.
Son you better get tough or die
Reiteration to toughen up or face adversity.
Cuz this world can be hard
World is challenging, especially on boulevards.
On every boulevard
Emphasizing the toughness needed to survive.
It takes grit to survive
Grit required for survival.
So get tough or die
Encouragement to toughen up or face consequences.
When all you wanna do is sit or cry
Desire to sit or cry, countered by the need to be tough.
Get tough or die
Reiteration of the need to toughen up in difficult times.
cuz the streets get cold at night
Reference to harshness of streets during the night.
Tell my son you be brave and strong
Advice to the son to be brave and resilient.
Work long days while the days are long
Advocacy for hard work during long days.
When you reach down and the wells bone dry
When resources are scarce, toughness is crucial.
Son you better get tough or die
Reiteration of the importance of being tough in adversity.
Cuz this world can be hard
Emphasizing the harshness of the world on boulevards.
In every boulevard
Survival requires resilience in every aspect.
It takes grit to survive
Reiteration of the need for grit to survive.
So get tough or die
Encouragement to toughen up, echoing earlier lines.
When all you wanna do is sit or cry
Desire to sit or cry countered by the call to be tough.
Get tough or die
Reiteration of the importance of toughness in difficult times.
cuz the streets get cold at night
Reference to the cold and harsh nature of streets at night.
Get tough or die
Reiteration of the imperative to be tough in facing challenges.
and try to keep your head held high
Advice to maintain a positive mindset despite adversity.
Get tough or die
Final emphasis on the importance of being tough in life.
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