Calloused Hands and a Steady Heart

[Verse] Boots dusty, worn from foreign sand He fought for dreams, for this sacred land A mother’s tears soak the soil, undone Her boy's coming home, but without the sun [Chorus] Home draped in stars, the red, white, and blue Echoes of the bugle, a somber tune Heroes lie quiet, where freedom blooms But oh, the silence fills the room [Verse 2] Letters unopened, birthday cards signed Memories of laughter, frozen in time A folded flag placed gently in her hand His sacrifice more than she could understand [Chorus] Home draped in stars, the red, white, and blue Echoes of the bugle, a somber tune Heroes lie quiet, where freedom blooms But oh, the silence fills the room [Bridge] Fireworks of sorrow light the darkest skies A salute for the brave, through teary eyes He walks no more, this earth he roamed But in our hearts, he'll always be home [Chorus] Home draped in stars, the red, white, and blue Echoes of the bugle, a somber tune Heroes lie quiet, where freedom blooms But oh, the silence fills the room

[Verse 1] He walked away in boots, so polished and clean, Saluted that flag, the red, white, and green. He left us that morning, with a promise to come, But silence now lingers where his laughter once rung. [Chorus] Oh, the fields still whisper his name on the wind, A brother, a son, a life that won’t mend. The stars hold his shadow, the moon keeps his face, But here in the heartland, there's an empty space. [Verse 2] We prayed every night, “Lord, bring him back whole,” But war has a way of stealing the soul. His letters grew fewer, till they just didn’t appear, And the news came one sunrise with a mother’s worst fear. [Chorus] Oh, the fields still whisper his name on the wind, A brother, a son, a life that won’t mend. The stars hold his shadow, the moon keeps his face, But here in the heartland, there's an empty space. [Bridge] His photograph hangs by the old cedar door, The boots that he wore never tread anymore. But I see him in dreams, as alive as he was, The boy turned a soldier, for a country, a cause. [Verse 3] The flag they brought home feels heavy as stone, Folding love and loss into triangles alone. Each field out here reminds me he’s gone, But his spirit walks with me, forever strong.

(Verse 1) In the land where the giants roam, Long ago, they called it home, From the jungles to the plains, Dinosaurs ruled, no need to explain! T-Rex roaring loud and proud, Spinosaurus with a spine so proud, Triceratops with its mighty horns, Stegosaurus with plates that adorn! (Chorus) Dinosaurs, oh, dinosaurs, Roaming the earth, and we want more! From the skies to the ground, They're the kings, and they wear the crown! Dinosaurs, oh, dinosaurs, Come with us and explore the roars! Ancient giants, wild and free, In the world of dinosaurs, come and see! (Verse 2) Velociraptors running fast, Hunting in packs, they’ll outlast, Brachiosaurus reaching high, Munching leaves beneath the sky. Pterodactyls soaring above, Flapping wings like they’re made of love, Ankylosaurus with a tail so strong, Swing it right, and you can’t go wrong! (Chorus) Dinosaurs, oh, dinosaurs, Roaming the earth, and we want more! From the skies to the ground, They're the kings, and they wear the crown! Dinosaurs, oh, dinosaurs, Come with us and explore the roars! Ancient giants, wild and free, In the world of dinosaurs, come and see! (Bridge) They lived so long ago, But their footprints still glow, A world that’s lost in time, But we bring it back in rhyme! (Chorus) Dinosaurs, oh, dinosaurs, Roaming the earth, and we want more! From the skies to the ground, They're the kings, and they wear the crown! Dinosaurs, oh, dinosaurs, Come with us and explore the roars! Ancient giants, wild and free, In the world of dinosaurs, come and see! (Outro) So let’s travel back in time, To when dinosaurs ruled and shined, Join the adventure, come with me, In the land of dinosaurs, wild and free!

**"Poker Night at the Tavern"** *(To the tune of "King of the Road")* *Verse 1* Six-thirty on a Monday night, The tavern’s buzzing, the mood is right. Five pounds to buy in, rebuys ‘til eight, The cards are shuffled, the stakes are great. Matt’s at the table, Stacey’s in the zone, Danny’s got a poker face like stone. Josh and Bailey are ready to play, Sean’s wagging his tail, it’s a poker Monday! *Chorus* Poker night, oh poker night, At the tavern in Barnstaple, the stakes are tight. Five pounds to play, rebuys ‘til eight-thirty, With Mike and Ryan, it’s a party hearty! *Verse 2* Sam’s got the chips, he’s dealin’ the hand, Mike’s got a plan, he’s takin’ a stand. Ryan’s bluffin’, but we all know, He’s got a tell when his foot starts to go. The laughter’s loud, the drinks are flowin’, The cards are flyin’, the tension’s growin’. It’s a Barnstaple tradition, the best in town, Poker night’s where legends are found. *Chorus* Poker night, oh poker night, At the tavern in Barnstaple, the stakes are tight. Five pounds to play, rebuys ‘til eight-thirty, With Mike and Ryan, it’s a party hearty! *Verse 3* Eight-thirty comes, the rebuys are done, The final table’s where the fun’s begun. Stacey’s all in, Danny’s got a pair, Josh is smilin’, but does he dare? Bailey’s got a flush, Sean’s barkin’ away, Sam’s got a straight, it’s a winning day. Mike’s the host, keepin’ it fair, Ryan’s the joker with a story to share. *Chorus* Poker night, oh poker night, At the tavern in Barnstaple, the stakes are tight. Five pounds to play, rebuys ‘til eight-thirty, With Mike and Ryan, it’s a party hearty! *Outro* So if you’re in Barnstaple on a Monday night, Head to the tavern, the mood’s just right. Five pounds to play, rebuys ‘til eight-thirty, With Matt, Stacey, Danny, Josh, Bailey, Sean, Sam, Mike, and Ryan, it’s a party hearty!

*Verse 1* Mike Jordan, walkin’ through the door, Mike Jordan, the man we all adore. He’s got a deck of cards and a quiz in hand, Runnin’ the best little tavern in the land. *Verse 2* Mike Jordan, poker on Monday night, Mike Jordan, the stakes are just right. He’s dealin’ the cards, with a grin so sly, And Sean’s by his feet, keepin’ an eye. *Chorus* Mike Jordan, oh-oh-oh, the tavern man, Mike Jordan, oh-oh-oh, he’s got the plan. With poker on Monday and quizzes on Tuesday night, He’s the heart of Barnstaple, keepin’ it tight! *Verse 3* Mike Jordan, Tuesday’s quiz night, Mike Jordan, the questions are just right. Teams are buzzin’, the pints are flowin’, And Mike’s the king of the tavern, always glowin’. *Verse 4* Mike Jordan, Saturday’s the night, Mike Jordan, chargin’ a fiver, that’s right. The music’s loud, the crowd’s alive, And Sean’s by his feet, keepin’ the vibe. *Chorus* Mike Jordan, oh-oh-oh, the tavern man, Mike Jordan, oh-oh-oh, he’s got the plan. With poker on Monday and quizzes on Tuesday night, He’s the heart of Barnstaple, keepin’ it tight! *Bridge* When the weekend comes, the place is packed, Mike’s at the bar, no detail lacks. With Sean by his side, the duo’s complete, The tavern’s the place where the town’s heartbeat. *Verse 5* Mike Jordan, with his mini-me Sean, Mike Jordan, the best host we’ve known. He’s got a laugh, a joke, a story to share, And the whole town knows he’s beyond compare. *Chorus* Mike Jordan, oh-oh-oh, the tavern man, Mike Jordan, oh-oh-oh, he’s got the plan. With poker on Monday and quizzes on Tuesday night, He’s the heart of Barnstaple, keepin’ it tight! *Outro* Mike Jordan, oh-oh-oh, the tavern man, Mike Jordan, oh-oh-oh, he’s got the plan. So raise your glass, let’s give a cheer, For Mike Jordan, the man we hold dear!

[Verse] The sun peeks over the hill’s old spine, A suitcase rattles in the back, just fine. Me and my truck on this worn-out lane, Chasing a dream through the dust and the rain. [Verse 2] The diner signs flash, the coffee towns call, At every mile marker, I feel it all. From a red barn leaning under skies so wide, To the willow trees waving on the roadside. [Chorus] Rolling down this country road, holdin’ tight to what I've known, The wind hums low in a lullaby tone. Each twist and turn, a piece of my soul, On this country road trip, I’m finally whole. [Verse 3] Fields of gold stretch endlessly, Kids on porches laugh wild and free. I lay my heart by the tire marks I leave, In every town, I find a reason to believe. [Bridge] Even when the night comes creeping slow, With fireflies lighting where dreams grow, I’ll keep the wheel steady, I won’t detour, This endless road feels like home for sure. [Chorus] Rolling down this country road, holdin’ tight to what I’ve known, The wind hums low in a lullaby tone. Each twist and turn, a piece of my soul, On this country road trip, I’m finally whole.

[Verse] The sun peeks over a golden hill, With a tank of gas and time to kill, This lonesome truck’s my only friend, Miles to go, the road won't end. [Chorus] Rolling wheels on a dusty track, Heart ahead, no turning back, Country skies, wide and free, The road’s a song, it carries me. [Verse 2] A diner waits in a sleepy town, Coffee’s brewing, slowing down, The waitress shares her crooked smile, "Stay awhile," she says, "or drive a mile." [Chorus] Rolling wheels on a dusty track, Heart ahead, no turning back, Country skies, wide and free, The road’s a song, it carries me. [Verse 3] An old church bell rings through the air, Rusty swings creak by, wind does stare, A tumbleweed rolls to mark the time, Out here every hour’s a simple rhyme. [Verse 4] Out at dusk, the stars ignite, A chilly breeze, the moon takes flight, Found myself in the middle of nowhere, And somehow, I don't even care.

[Verse 1] I rise ‘fore the sun, boots hit the clay, Punch that clock for a poor man’s pay, Ain’t no silver spoon, just sweat and grime, But I’d trade my soul for their bedtime rhyme. The mill’s a beast, chews my bones to dust, Rust on my dreams, but in them I trust, Got a wife with a smile that cuts the dark, Two little shadows that own my heart. [Chorus] With calloused hands and a steady heart, I’m buildin’ a life though it’s fallin’ apart, For the kids in the yard and the woman I swore, I’d carry this load ‘til I can’t no more. Ain’t much to my name, but it’s all I’ve planned, Just a family man in a hard-scrabble land. [Verse 2] The supper table’s scratched, but it’s ours to keep, Beans and cornbread while the babies sleep, She mends my shirt with a threadbare grace, I see forever in her tired face. Boss man hollers, says I’m just a tool, But I ain’t breakin’ for no rich man’s rule, I’ll haul this weight ‘til my back gives way, For a porch light glow at the end of the day. [Chorus] With calloused hands and a steady heart, I’m buildin’ a life though it’s fallin’ apart, For the kids in the yard and the woman I swore, I’d carry this load ‘til I can’t no more. Ain’t much to my name, but it’s all I’ve planned, Just a family man in a hard-scrabble land. [Bridge] Lord knows I stumble, I cuss the strain, Mud on my soul from the pouring rain, But their laughter’s gold, it’s my only wealth, I’d fight the devil for their simple health. This guitar’s my prayer when the night gets long, A workin’ man’s hymn ‘bout where I belong. [Chorus] With calloused hands and a steady heart, I’m buildin’ a life though it’s fallin’ apart, For the kids in the yard and the woman I swore, I’d carry this load ‘til I can’t no more. Ain’t much to my name, but it’s all I’ve planned, Just a family man in a hard-scrabble land. [Outro] Yeah, the years wear thin, like the tires I roll, But they’re my fire, they’re my soul, Calloused hands’ll dig ‘til the day I’m free, A family man’s all I’ll ever be.

Well, I packed up my boots, threw my hat in the truck, She slammed that front door, said she'd had enough. Guess I played one too many hands of that card game, Now I'm out in the cold, with myself to blame. Ain’t got no roof, ain’t got no bed, Just a worn-out road and the sky overhead. She said, "Boy, you better find a new home," Now I’m lost in this town with nowhere to go. My dog won’t follow, guess he’s siding with her, Even my old guitar’s still locked up indoors. Ain't got no money, just a tank half-full, And a heart that’s empty, breaking in two. Ain’t got no roof, ain’t got no bed, Just a worn-out road and the sky overhead. She said, "Boy, you better find a new home," Now I’m lost in this town with nowhere to go. Maybe I’ll sleep in this old rusty Ford, Write me a song ‘bout the life I can’t afford. One day I’ll find me a place to call mine, Till then, I’m just chasing white lines. So I’ll drive till the morning, don’t know where I’ll land, Guess losing her wasn’t part of my plan. But life keeps rolling, just like my wheels, Maybe the highway will help me heal.

The depression is a dusty thing And it makes a dusty ring Bound by wild desire I fell into a bowl of dust We fell into a dusty depression Interest went down, down, down And the Tariffs went higher And it burns, burns, burns The Great depression The Great depression We fell into a dusty depression Banks went down, down, down And the stocks went higher And it burns, burns, burns The Great depression The Great depression The taste of dust is sharp When incomes like ours don't meet I fell for your speculation Oh, but the dust went wild We fell into a dusty depression demand went down, down, down And the production went higher And it burns, burns, burns The Great Depression The Great Depression We fell into hobo soap operas Farmers went down, down, down And the margins went higher Books, movies, radio, The Great depression The Great depression And it burns, burns, burns The Great Depression The Great Depression The Great Depression The Great Depression The Great Depression The Great...

The van is rollin On our first trip And we got some rhymes That we’re planning to rip So give us a few To set it all out Because the rhythm and the unity Is what’s it’s all about We’ll give you a show It’ll be the best of your daze Screed will light it up In the evening haze The show is all free Nobody pays So just kick back relax And eat your Lays The van is rollin On our first trip And we got some rhymes That we’re planning to rip So give us a few To set it all out Because the rhythm and the unity Is what’s it’s all about We’ll give you a show It’ll be the best of your daze Screed will light it up In the evening haze The show is all free Nobody pays So just kick back relax And eat your Lays

[Verse] Morning breaks through yonder pine Dreams hang loose on a silver line Road ahead It"s rough It"s vast But I"ve got a heart built to outlast [Verse 2] Feet may stumble The skies may weep Mountains high and valleys deep Through the storm and bitter chill I"ll keep climbing—I’ve got the will [Chorus] Oh Chasing horizons Reaching for gold Carving a story Brave and bold With every fall I rise again The fire inside won"t ever wane [Verse 3] City lights fade to distant glow Fields of amber start to grow Hear the whispers in the air “Keep on going You"re almost there.” [Chorus] Oh Chasing horizons Reaching for gold Carving a story Brave and bold With every fall I rise again The fire inside won"t ever wane [Bridge] Dusty boots and worn-out dreams A river runs through fractured streams But the cracks let sunlight in That"s where the strength begins to spin