Concrete
Cold pavement
I watch the shadows huddle by the subway vent
Fear
Heavy and deep
Afraid of where I’ll lay my head to sleep
Toronto winds
They cut like glass
Counting every nickel as the minutes pass
I walk
I wait
Checking every receipt by the iron gate
Don’t call me cheap
No don’t call me cheap
I’m just building a floor so I don’t fall down
I’m just building a floor so I don’t fall down
I’m just building a floor so I don’t fall down
Safe and sound
Racks
Rows of wool
Found a winter coat where the bins are full
Soft
Cotton seams
Living out a life on a budget of dreams
Second hand
My hand
Better than the hunger that I can’t command
I save
I survive
Keeping my dignity barely alive
One shirt
Used well
I’m wearing it today can’t you tell
Don’t call me cheap
No don’t call me cheap
I’m just building a floor so I don’t fall down
I’m just building a floor so I don’t fall down
I’m just building a floor so I don’t fall down
Safe and sound
It’s an insult
It’s a sting
It’s a bitter kind of thing
When you look at me and laugh
When you look at me and judge
When you look at me and sneer
I see the struggle
I see the sidewalk
I see the truth
[Verse 3]
Style
Is what you make
Not the brand name that you choose to take
Hard
Thrifty grace
I won’t let the poverty erase my face
No debt
No shame
Just a different way to play the game
Friends
Listen close
I’m the one who values the most
Pure thrift
Daily wear
Keeping away from the cold despair
Don’t call me cheap
No don’t call me cheap
I’m just building a floor so I don’t fall down
I’m just building a floor so I don’t fall down
I’m just building a floor so I don’t fall down
Safe and sound
Every single day
Every single day
This is my style
My own style
Don’t insult me
No
Don’t insult me
Just let me be
Free