"Losin’ Ain’t Easy (The Rookery Blues)"

(Verse 1) Sunrise creepin' through the blinds, another day begins But my mind's still stuck on her, the kind of love that sins Ten years separate our worlds, a canyon wide and deep But my heart, it don't care 'bout rules, it only wants to leap (Chorus) She's a wildflower in the cracks, a beauty bruised and bold A story whispered in her eyes, a pain that's yet untold He left his mark upon her soul, a darkness she can't shake But I see the light that flickers there, a love I'm willin' to take (Verse 2) She wears her smile like armor, a shield against the past But I see the tremble in her lips, a shadow that won't last She talks about her husband, the man she's bound to keep But her voice is hollow echo, a secret she can't sleep (Chorus) She's a wildflower in the cracks, a beauty bruised and bold A story whispered in her eyes, a pain that's yet untold He left his mark upon her soul, a darkness she can't shake But I see the light that flickers there, a love I'm willin' to take (Bridge) I know it's wrong, I know it's a fire I shouldn't fan But I can't help the way I feel, this lovestruck, foolish man I dream of holdin' her close, of kissin' away the hurt Of givin' her the love she deserves, a brand new, clean start (Chorus) She's a wildflower in the cracks, a beauty bruised and bold A story whispered in her eyes, a pain that's yet untold He left his mark upon her soul, a darkness she can't shake But I see the light that flickers there, a love I'm willin' to take (Outro) Yeah, I'm willin' to take the chance, to walk a dangerous line 'Cause the love I feel for her, it's truly one of a kind. A love that's shadowed, a love that's deep, a love that's maybe wrong But in her broken heart, I know where I belong.

"Losin’ Ain’t Easy (The Rookery Blues)" (A Zach Top-style country song about The Rookery fantasy league) [Verse 1] I traded for McCaffrey and thought I was set If it werent for his calf that hadn’t healed up yet And Mahomes wasn’t Mahomes, guess the magic ran dry Now I’m watchin’ my playoff hopes wave me goodbye Went from dreamin’ ‘bout trophies to facin’ the truth Now I’m sellin’ off pieces and scoutin’ for youth Ain’t fightin’ for titles, just tryin’ to survive Hopin’ next season my team comes alive [Chorus] Oh, losin’ ain’t easy, I’ve learned that firsthand Watched my championship dreams turn to dust in the sand My lineup decisions just hit a brick wall Should have asked the expert 'cause KG knows football Yeah, losin’ ain’t easy, no, losin’ ain’t fun But at least I showed up… unlike my RB1 [Verse 2] Meanwhile, Justin's out here crushing the game Lopsided trades got him winnin’ again Myles always making moves and has the perfect team But come playoff time he chokes like a Bills' QB [Chorus] Oh, losin’ ain’t easy, I’ve learned that firsthand I’m watchin’ my dreams turn to dust in the sand Michael’s crunchin’ numbers, sayin’ next year’s mine Moose's team looked golden, but luck passed him by Yeah, losin’ ain’t easy, no, losin’ ain’t fun But at least I showed up… unlike my RB1 [Verse 3] Evan’s out here makin’ graphics of quotes Moe stays silent, unless its a KG roast James runs the league like a trusty old vet But he almost took down the champ, man, that’s as close as it gets [Bridge] Matt's doing his dances, getting his fix Joey's at Waffle House taking his licks Tone’s rebuildin’, tryin’ to get back on track I’ve got two straight Toilet Bowls, Lord I can't go back [Outro] So here’s to the champ, yeah, enjoy your crown I’ll be over here, tryin’ not to let y’all down Yeah, losin’ ain’t easy, no, losin’ ain’t fun But at least I showed up… unlike my RB1

[Verse] Lights shined bright on that old gravel road, She thought she'd stay through the highs and the lows. But fame’s sharp edges started to fray, She packed her bags, left town today. [Chorus] She couldn't handle the fame, not like she thought, City lights and big crowds, battles she fought. Her heart still yearned for that simpler frame, In the end, she couldn’t handle the fame. [Verse 2] Sunday mornings by the creek with her dog, Turned into nights in a glittering fog. She missed the fields and the quiet of home, Lost in a world where she felt all alone. [Chorus] She couldn't handle the fame, not like she thought, City lights and big crowds, battles she fought. Her heart still yearned for that simpler frame, In the end, she couldn’t handle the fame. [Bridge] Now she's back where the wildflowers grow, With whispers of rivers that only she knows. The spotlight's now a distant flame, She’s finding herself in the pouring rain. [Verse 3] Memories linger of stages and cheers, But she’s happier without the tears. In the sillage of dreams that caused her pain, She’s singing to the moon, shedding the fame.

(Verse 1 – Gentle acoustic guitar, nostalgic tone) Almost heaven, West Virginia, Used to drink tequila, now it's only Miller. No more bourbon from Kentucky, just Jack in a can, My truck runs like garbage ‘cause I banned Japan. (Chorus – Full band, soaring vocals) Fascism, take me home, To a land where I belong, No more tacos, just canned cheese, Bud Light’s warm and tastes like pee. (Verse 2 – More energetic, fiddle kicks in) I miss Canadian whiskey, I miss good old Brie, Now it's plastic-wrapped American cheese for me. Used to drive a Honda, ran smooth like a dream, Now I got a Ford and it's leaking gasoline. (Chorus – Big harmonies, dramatic passion) Fascism, take me home, To a land where I belong, No more maple, no baguette, Just frozen burgers and regret. (Bridge – Soft, almost spoken word, disillusioned) I thought I'd own the libs, bring back coal and steel, Now I can't afford my meds, is this even real? My health care’s a joke, my roads are all cracked, But at least I got this flag made in China on my back… (Chorus – Slower, regretful at first, then building back up) Fascism, take me home, To a land where I belong, No more sushi, no poutine, Just instant ramen and Jim Beam. (Outro – Fading out, soft banjo and harmonies, pure lament) Take me home… take me home… Where my choices haunt me so… Should’ve known… should’ve known… Now it’s only corn syrup and Monsanto…

[Verse] Mike's got a heart as wide as the plains, His love for donkeys, they say he's insane. In the early morning, with the rising sun, He feeds 'em hay, that's how his day's begun. [Verse] Down at the barn, he's always found, Talkin' to donkeys, his feet on the ground. He calls 'em by name, each one a friend, A bond that won't break, it won't ever end. [Chorus] Donkeys and Mike, they’re a sight to see, Workin’ together in harmony. From sunrise to the evening glow, That kind of love, not everyone knows. [Verse] Mike don't care what folks might say, His donkeys bring light to his everyday. Through the fields, they plow and roam, With his donkeys, Mike feels at home. [Verse] Some folks laugh, some just stare, But Mike's too busy to even care. To him, they're family, pure and true, In their eyes, he sees the world's view. [Chorus] Donkeys and Mike, they’re a sight to see, Workin' together in harmony. From sunrise to the evening glow, That kind of love, not everyone knows.

[Verse] In the heart of this small town, lives a lady named Jane, With her handkerchiefs and tissues, causing quite the refrain. Folks around here, they won't let it rest, Sayin' Jane must munch 'em, like they're some sort of fest. [Verse 2] At the corner café, you can hear the talk, About Jane and her tissues, in their usual mock. Spillin' their coffee, while they laugh and they jest, Poor Jane just shrugs, knowing she tries her best. [Chorus] Jane folds 'em, holds 'em, tissues in her hand, In the eyes of the gossip, she can't understand. "Is she eatin' 'em?" they tease with a grin, But Jane knows it's laughter, in the wind. [Verse 3] Walking down Main Street, head held high, Jane hears the whispers, but she won't cry. In the morning sun, she lifts her chin, Tissues in her pocket, she won't give in. [Verse 4] Sitting on her porch, knitting away, Thinking 'bout the words they always say. Jane's got a heart, stronger than gold, She won't let the teasing take hold. [Chorus] Jane folds 'em, holds 'em, tissues in her hand, In the eyes of the gossip, she can't understand. "Is she eatin' 'em?" they tease with a grin, But Jane knows it's laughter, in the wind.

[Verse] Put my old truck bed up for sale, Thought I'd get some decent pay, But here come the vultures, without fail, Want it free, what a rotten day. [Verse 2] "Can you drop it off?" they dare to ask, "Fifty miles ain't too far, dear." They wanna bargain, shady as a flask, Makin' offers, just bring me a beer. [Chorus] Oh, these internet cheapskates, Always want it for less or for free, They haggle like it's high stakes, Man, when will they let me be? [Verse] "Is this still available?" they write, But never show up, what a curse. No one has cash, everyone's tight, These lowballers keep getting worse. [Verse 2] "Got any freebies I can take?" Messages buzzin' day and night, They think my life's a giveaway cake, Oh Lord, this ain’t feelin’ right. [Chorus] Oh, these internet cheapskates, Always want it for less or for free, They haggle like it's high stakes, Man, when will they let me be?

[Verse] In a small room lit by a neon glow, She streams her days, she steals the show, Applejuicek with her smile so wide, But her chat’s more cringeworthy than they realize. [Chorus] Applejuicek, you light up the screen, But oh, your followers, they're something unseen, Their jokes and memes, a peculiar blend, Yet through it all, you're our virtual friend. [Verse] Her laughter rings out, well worth the wait, As she shares her stories till it's late, Yet the comments section can make you wince, Full of cringe, but her spirit's convinced. [Chorus] Applejuicek, you light up the screen, But oh, your followers, they're something unseen, Their jokes and memes, a peculiar blend, Yet through it all, you're our virtual friend. [Verse] Typing away, they cheer her on, Though their humor's misplaced, they're never gone, She rolls her eyes, but still she stays, Through the cringey comments her spirit sways. [Chorus] Applejuicek, you light up the screen, But oh, your followers, they're something unseen, Their jokes and memes, a peculiar blend, Yet through it all, you're our virtual friend.

[Verse] In a house out south of Austin, There's a story to be told, 'Bout a man who's always gamin', But never cleans a soul. [Chorus] Dusty floors and piles of laundry, Dishes stacked up high, Asmongold, you live in glory, But you never blink an eye. [Verse 2] Streaming nights and daylight hours, With a keyboard in your hand, Mighty paladin of Azeroth, In a cluttered, messy land. [Chorus] Dusty floors and piles of laundry, Dishes stacked up high, Asmongold, you live in glory, But you never blink an eye. [Bridge] The world's a stage, you're the show, Unseen chaos where you stand, With every click and every view, You're living life so grand. [Verse 3] Friends may laugh and fans adore you, Heroes thrive in many ways, But come on now, dear Asmongold, Time to clear that haze.

Got an email from Brett just the other day Living in Queensland and he’s not OK Said it is too wet for fishing and the boat is lent That expensive bait he bought was money badly spent He’s been peering through his neighbour’s hedge Trying to catch a look And the Prossie police won’t let him off the hook And Suzy’s alright, just goes shopping every day She’s living with the dreams of yesterday And there she is, and there she’ll stay “Well, it always works out,” she said, “Anyway” She’s been living on the razor’s edge Playing it by the book She hopes Brett goes fishing, otherwise he’ll sook

(Verse 1) Melbourne, Sydney, childhood blur, RAAF Dad, my shining star. Brainy, strong, the one I knew, Looked up to him, it felt so true. Loving Dad, to Mum and us, No questions asked, no need to fuss. Worked so hard, a quiet man, Mum's the discipline, Dad's the plan. (Chorus) But the hero falls, the mask descends, A perfect picture, that now ends. Secrets whispered, shadows creep, A childhood dream, I cannot keep. The ground gives way, beneath my feet, How could this be, so bittersweet? A broken heart, a shattered trust, My hero's gone, turned into dust. (Verse 2) Queensland sun, high school days, RAAF life, a fading haze. Retirement came, a brand new start, But 2024 ripped us apart. Dementia's grip, a cruel disease, Wandering lost, no peace, no ease. Aged Care walls, a lonely space, Mum's by his side, in that hard place. (Chorus) But the hero falls, the mask descends, A perfect picture, that now ends. Secrets whispered, shadows creep, A childhood dream, I cannot keep. The ground gives way, beneath my feet, How could this be, so bittersweet? A broken heart, a shattered trust, My hero's gone, turned into dust. (Verse 3) Nine to five, her love so deep, A vigil kept, secrets to keep. But whispers rise, a hidden shame, A girlfriend there, playing the game. Intimate moments, a shocking blow, The truth revealed, a painful show. Affairs unveiled, a hidden past, My hero's image, fading fast. (Chorus) But the hero falls, the mask descends, A perfect picture, that now ends. Secrets whispered, shadows creep, A childhood dream, I cannot keep. The ground gives way, beneath my feet, How could this be, so bittersweet? A broken heart, a shattered trust, My hero's gone, turned into dust. (Verse 4) I've become so numb, I can't feel him there The silence screams, how do we repair? Betrayed and lost, my world undone, A childhood dream, now outrun. The perfect Dad, a painted lie, Tears I cry, beneath the sky. Shattered trust, a broken heart, Torn apart, right from the start. My hero's fall, a bitter sting, The truth it brings, no joy to sing. (Chorus) But the hero falls, the mask descends, A perfect picture, that now ends. Secrets whispered, shadows creep, A childhood dream, I cannot keep. The ground gives way, beneath my feet, How could this be, so bittersweet? A broken heart, a shattered trust My hero's gone turned into dust