Castle

I built this castle, now we are trapped on the throne

I'm sorry, we’re alone

I wrote my chapter

You'll turn the page when I'm gone

I hope you’ll sing along

This is your song

I just want you to know that I ain't scared

Whatever it takes to raise you, I'm prepared

To do whatever

December 1st, (to do whatever) 1995, dear Hailie

This is your song

You'll be coming out of mommy's stomach soon

I better do something quick if I'ma be able to support you

I can barely support me, but as long as you're healthy

That's all that matters for the time being

But obviously, assuming you will be, just thinking ahead

I’ma make it if it kills me

Let’s see how far I can take it with this music

I'm getting sick of chasing this illusion

Sorry for sloppy writing

The pen in my hand’s shaking, please excuse me

Dad's a little nervous, but at the same time excited

If I use this same energy while I'm saying rhymes and write 'em

With the same passion and the same exact enthusiasm

As I’m using in this letter maybe they can feel me as I'm

Trying to build these castles out of sand, baby girl

For you to sit on the throne, I got plans, baby girl

Welcome to mom and dad's crazy world

Love, daddy

Maple flavored kisses, buttered pancakes, and syrup

I built this castle, now we are trapped on the throne

I'm sorry, we're alone

I wrote my chapter

You'll turn the page when I'm gone

I hope you'll sing along

This is your song

I just want you to know that I ain't scared

Whatever it takes to raise you

I'm prepared to do whatever

December 1st, 1996, (to do whatever) dear Hailie

You got your momma's personality, same eyes as I got

Her beautiful smile,

But your ears are the same size as mine are

Sorry for that, a little minor mishap

But you'll grow into 'em baby

I'm on the grind now

I'm doing little shows, open mics, all-nighters at studios

While I'm tryna keep the lights on

Why does it seem like I'm so close to this dream, yet so far?

I just keep steering

I'm gonna turn into someone

I haven't the slightest

Clue what I'm gonna do if it falls through

You took your first steps today, you'll probably walk soon

My Infinite CD flopped, too many soft tunes

They're talking bad about dad, it's ticking me off too

Makes me feel like I don't belong or something, ooh

I think I might have just stumbled onto something new

Got a prediction for the future, I'm hoping it's you

Open this envelope when you're older and it holds true

I built this castle, now we are trapped on the throne

I'm sorry, we're alone

I wrote my chapter

You'll turn the page when I'm gone

I hope you'll sing along

This is your song

I just want you to know that I ain't scared

Whatever it takes to raise you,

I'm prepared to do whatever

December 24th, 2007, (to do whatever) dear Hailie

Now if you found these letters,

I guess I better try to explain

A lot's happened in between 'em, since I rised to this fame

I've said your name but always tried to hide your face

This game is crazy,

I wanted to claim my love for you but damn

I never knew it'd be like this

If I did I wouldn't have done it

You ain't asked for none of this shit

Now you're being punished?

Things that should've been private with me and your mother is public

I can't stomach, they can take this fame back, I don't want it

I'll put out this last album then I'm done with it

One-hundred percent finished

Fed up with it, I'm hanging it up, fuck it

Excuse the cursing, baby, but just know

That I'm a good person, though they portray me as cold

And, if things should worsen,

Don't take this letter I wrote as a goodbye note

'Cause your dad's at the end of his rope

I'm sliding down a slippery slope

Anyways sweetie, I better go, I'm getting sleepy

Love dad

Shit, I don't know