Track 11 of the album Second Shift · 2022
Three in the Morning Notebook, Pen Don't Quit
by Kane Rivers
“Three a.m., one lamp, the pen won't quit. This is how every verse of mine gets made.”
boom-bap · driving boom-bap · confident rap · 3:24
Lyrics
Three in the morning and the pen won't quit Kitchen table, one lamp, a notebook lit Radiator knocking like it's keeping the beat Cold coffee, hot thoughts, no room for defeat Neighbors all asleep, I'm the only one awake Writing out my future for the future's sake Every line I scribble is a brick in the wall Build it up slow, I don't mind if it's small Quiet hours make the loudest dreams Nothing's what it is, nothing's what it seems Pen don't quit, three in the morning Words keep coming, no warning Pen don't quit, while the city sleeps Promises I made are promises I keep Pen don't quit, three in the morning Dawn is coming, I'm still scrawling Bus out on the avenue, headlights on the glass Night-shift nurse going home, watching the hours pass We're both up late, different kinds of grind She's saving lives, I'm just saving my mind Mama said the hustle is a patient kind of art Start it in the dark and it'll finish in your heart Every rejection slip is a stair on the climb I'm taping up the pages, I've got time Quiet hours make the loudest dreams Nothing's what it is, nothing's what it seems Pen don't quit, three in the morning Words keep coming, no warning Pen don't quit, while the city sleeps Promises I made are promises I keep Pen don't quit, three in the morning Dawn is coming, I'm still scrawling Maybe nobody reads it, maybe somebody will Either way I'm writing, either way I'm still Standing at the window as the sky turns grey First birds are singing, I've got something to say Sun is on the rooftops, the page is filled up Three in the morning turned to six in the cup Tired but hopeful, a little bit proud Whispering my verses to the waking crowd Whatever comes tomorrow, I showed up tonight Pen in my hand, I got the whole sky in sight Pen don't quit, three in the morning Words keep coming, no warning Pen don't quit, while the city sleeps Promises I made are promises I keep Pen don't quit, three in the morning Dawn is coming, I'm still scrawling Pen don't quit I'm still scrawling