Letter to My Kids

verse 1:
I was out tryin’-a forget about Anita
when into the bar walked a señorita
with a couple of friends
I swore I’d never seen her
but she called my name

verse 2:
she was 21 in her third year of college
which didn’t cost a dime
’cause she was on scholarship
to save even more money on rent
she was livin’ at home

verse 3:
I didn’t know that she had a curfew
so we didn’t go back to Albuquerque
instead I took her home
to my place up in Santa Fe

verse 4:
the stereo was up so loud
we didn’t hear her phone
we were in the dark, yeah we didn’t know
her gun tottin’ daddy was on his way

pre chorus 1:
he turned his lights off down the block
and cut his engine one house away
yeah I was in for quite the shock
when I heard him say

verse 5:
open up this door right now
or I’ll use the key on my hip
yeah I’m packin’ heat
you don’t want this piece of me

verse 6:
I said I didn’t know that she had a curfew
or I would drove her back to Albuquerque
after the show
and asked when I could see her again

verse 7:
yeah your daughter is
someone I would like to get to better know
maybe right now ain’t the best time though
I should probaby check with her
and see ‘bout when

instrumental

pre chorus 2:
that was how I met your mother
and your teddy bear granddad
I know you think my rules are strict
but you don’t have it half as bad

verse 8:
as you momma did
bein’ a young adult and treated like a kid
she knew her daddy loved her
but they didn’t fit
his intentions with the crazy things that he did

verse 9:
all that to say
no parent is perfect—no how, no way
just know that I’m doin’ my best each day
even on the days when I step in it

© 2023 Benjamin Dudley & Robert Grant

Everything Is Alright With Me

verse 1:
everything is alright with me
you're a fool it that's what you believe
'cause I've got my share
of troubles you can't see
I keep 'em in this heart that I carry with me

verse 2:
people ask how is your day?
we both know what I'm s'posed to say
I lie say it’s good
then I go on my way
so silly, so sad, these games that we play

chorus:
don't wanna go through this life
denying the pain
viewing heartache and heartbreak
as always in vain

don't wanna shut the world out
or close myself in
don't wanna feel like a hostage
in my own skin

don't wanna look in the mirror
and not like what I see
don't wanna believe the lies
even I'm tellin' me

don't wanna drown in regret
or give in to despair
don't wanna yield to my demons
this is my prayer

verse 3:
it's more common than you'd know
yes I am by no means alone
most people you meet
most people you know
are battling things that they never let show

​repeat chorus 2x

© 2021 Benjamin Dudley & Robert Grant

No One Else But You

verse 1:
why can't it be that you love me
that same as I, I love you
then things would be
so easy for us two

verse 2:
but we have been bruised and cursed
to forever hunger and thirst
for a peace that our weak hearts
can't undo

chorus:
when we were young and dreamin' of
a life where all of our dreams came true
no one ever said go on back to bed
that's where dreams belong
where they can't break your heart in two

verse 3:
all those fairy tales we were fed
big screen romances, they misled
expectations so out of reach
left us blue

instrumental bridge

chorus:
when we were young and dreamin' of
a life where all of our dreams came true
no one ever said go on back to bed
that's where dreams belong
where they can't break your heart in two

verse 4:
still I come to you, no one else
you have walked with me
through heavens and hells
somehow we keep finding our way through

fade-out:
no one else but you
we will make it through
no one else but you
we will make it through
​no one else but you

© 2021 Benjamin Dudley & Robert Grant