I Know This Road

“I Know This Road” Lyrics by Dane DeValcourt Two logos shook hands in a room I'll never see Turned a billion-dollar promise into boxes at my feet Said, "Nothing here is changing," then they circled me in red Move across the country—or move on instead They dressed it up in language 'bout opportunity Like tearing up a life is mobility Move everything just to buy another round Till the next "efficiency" runs me out of town They call it a choice when both doors cost One takes my paycheck One takes what can't be bought But I know this road I know where it goes Loyalty runs uphill Consequences roll You preach "we're family" When there's something that you need But when family needs you back We're just numbers on a sheet You call it a choice Hell, we both know You already chose for me Yeah, I know this road I gave you after-hours, holidays, and sleep Made your emergency a promise I would keep Answered every message, carried every load While the ones who made the mess ate dinner back at home "We're all in this together" Till the numbers come up short Then we just become headcount And families don't make the report But I know this road I know where it goes Loyalty runs uphill Consequences roll You preach "we're family" When there's something that you need But when family needs you back We're just numbers on a sheet You call it a choice Hell, we both know You already chose for me Yeah, I know this road A Tennessee daughter made the punch clock sing Put rhinestones on rebellion and a backbone in the beat She smiled like Sunday morning, told the truth like dynamite And every working hand still knows she damn well had it right I won't uproot my whole life To prove I'm loyal to you You wouldn't do it for me So don't ask me to do it for you That isn't a choice That's a threat with a benefits package And I know this road But I choose where it goes Loyalty's a two-way street Not a debt I owe Keep your relocation Keep your company line You can choose what's best for you And I'll choose what's best for mine You thought you made the choice for me You only made me free Now the road belongs to me Nine to five was never just a song And all these years later She's still not wrong