Don't Give Up

I've had rocks thrown at my window
Been called every name that I know
But I am a fighter, I will never call it quits
So my wounded brother, let me tell you this:

Don't give up, love is waiting
I will hold your hand through all the hating
Don't give up, I am right here
And I will drive away your fears
So don't give up

You're hell-bound, that's what they'll tell you
But please don't let them sell you
Their ignorance is making them blind
And they don't see who you are inside

Don't give up, love is waiting
I will hold your hand through all the hating
Don't give up, I am right here
And I will drive away your fears
So don't give up

Please don't pull the trigger
Please don't don't make that leap
Love's arms are spreading open
Open up your wounded eyes and see

Don't give up, love is waiting
I will hold your hand through all the hating
Don't give up, I am right here
And I will drive away your fears
So don't give up


This is the first time I can remember tearing up at a song that I had written. This is dedicated to anyone who has ever felt different. You are loved. I know the journey is hard, but keep walking - it gets better; and love's arms are open wide - waiting for you to discover it. Don't give up.

Untitled

Was it my fault
Would he still be alive
If I had made the choice
To stand by his side

I shouldn't feel guilty
Still I can't help but wonder
Was I the nail in the coffin
Did I put him under

I'm sorry that I couldn't stay
And watch you walk out this way
I'm sorry that I'm not that strong
To take you off the road you were on
I'm not here to render wrong and right
Just know I'm thinking of you tonight

I didn't drive him to the bottle
But I couldn't make him put it down
And the lies behind his drunken breath
Shattered our world to the ground

I'm sorry that I couldn't stay
And watch you walk out this way
I'm sorry that I'm not that strong
To take you off the road you were on
I'm not here to render wrong and right
Just know I'm thinking of you tonight

Should I have stayed a little longer?
Should I have been a little stronger?
Even if I can somehow make amends
It doesn't change the way the story ends

I'm sorry that I couldn't stay
And watch you walk out this way
I'm sorry that I'm not that strong
To take you off the road you were on
I'm not here to render wrong and right
Just know I'm thinking of you tonight


This song is written for my ex, Danny, who passed away at the age of 28 due to alcoholism. You never really get past the questions that you ask yourself from time to time. Of course - time makes everything easier, but the questions still remain...

Left Behind

I grew up under a cloud
No wanted me around
I felt awkward and alone
Kept a secret for my own

The shadows were my santuary
Where all my burdens, I could bury
I could cry and I could pray
Or simply sing away the day

I was the child who was left behind
Misunderstood and treated so unkind
But I grew up and I moved on
Taught myself I could be strong
I am now the man life was waiting to find
No longer the child who was left behind

Now when I see someone down
I try to help them to solid ground
I was there, been down that road
No one should have to bear that load

I learned not to judge or criticize
Who knows what lies behind their eyes
My past is not that far behind me
All it takes is a single tear to remind me

I was the child who was left behind
Misunderstood and treated so unkind
But I grew up and I moved on
Taught myself I could be strong
I am now the man life was waiting to find
No longer the child who was left behind

I've been called every name
Given every dirty look
People judge the cover
When they've never, read the book

I was the child who was left behind
Misunderstood and treated so unkind
But I grew up and I moved on
Taught myself I could be strong
I am now the man life was waiting to find
No longer the child who was left behind

I have not written a song in so long. It's amazing how the smallest things can trigger a song. What triggered this song? I saw someone that I went to school with 11+ years ago... Seeing his face brought back a flood of memories. That's how every great song starts...