We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

SW​:​S October 2022, Belton, TX

by SongwritingWith:Soldiers

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.

    Our retreats pair professional songwriters with veterans, military families and couples, and active-duty service members to write songs about their military experiences and transition home. These field recordings were recorded on-site at a SongwritingWith:Soldiers retreat and capture a song being performed just hours after it's been written, like a song capturing its first breath.

    Participant Co-Writers: 
    Angela Caruso-Yahne / Rebecca Fenton / Trever Fenton / Don Krimmer / Dale Mofield / Jahnna Seeling / Donna Smith / Shawn Tillman / Marshall Altman

    Singer-Songwriters:
    Bonnie Bishop / Jay Clementi / Mark Nesler

    All purchases are tax-deductible donations to SongwritingWith:Soldiers.     ... more
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

1.
Truth & Forgiveness, Inc. 04:56
lyrics
buy track
TRUTH & FORGIVENESS, INC. Donna Smith / Marshall Altman The strings of my heart, are warn and frayed With debts and doubts, both overpaid The cords and tendons, tension, pull Have made this heart something beautiful Like words on the paper, scars on skin Map of my memories, what a place to begin Mottled, magic, slightly bruised But none of it’s tragic, this I choose I will be nobody’s victim And I will be nobody’s fool Life’s full of lessons, and sometimes, yeah life can be cruel But the truth, is the truth And only the truth can be true It speaks for itself, and finally, I’m speaking it, too The weight of betrayal, I’ve carried around, Yeah, it’s made me stronger, and for that I am proud, proud But I’ve held on to blame, and shame, and lived in the fight, lived in the fight But I’m turning the page, it’s my story to write… And I will be nobody’s victim And I will be nobody’s fool Life’s full of lessons, and sometimes, yeah life can be cruel But the truth, is the truth And only the truth can be true It speaks for itself, and finally, I’m speaking it, too Finally I’m speaking it too Why is forgiveness, so hard to do I’m trying to learn how, how to forgive myself too… Why is forgiveness so hard to give I’m trying to learn, I’m trying to live And I will be nobody’s victim And I will be nobody’s fool Life’s full of lessons, and sometimes, yeah life can be cruel But the truth, is the truth And only the truth can be true It speaks for itself, it speaks for itself And I’m speaking it, too It speaks for itself, it speaks for itself And I’m speaking it, too Donna Smith/ Marshall Altman ©2022 SongwritingWith:Soldiers Music (ASCAP)/ Cole & Rawlins Music (BMI)
2.
Driving 03:36
lyrics
buy track
DRIVING Rebecca Fenton / Jay Clementi I come from a town where the football star is the head coach now Friday night lights is what it all revolves around The old head cheerleader thinks the team still needs her The Sunday morning sermon drifts right through the cedars I left there trying to chase a dream But I ran straight to tragedy Baby I keep driving keep driving To get further away from my past and the pain I keep tryin’ trying to be better tomorrow than I am today Bring it on I know there’s nothing That I can’t get through Long as I'm driving, driving with you You bring comfort to my chaos make me feel protected You’re my true north, you’re always where I’m headed You’re the one that lets me be the real me You know what road I need, and you just hand me the keys And I keep driving, driving To get further away from my past and the pain I keep tryin, trying to be better tomorrow than I am today Bring it on I know there’s nothing That I can’t get through Long as I'm driving, driving with you Baby let’s keep driving keep driving To get further away from my past and the pain Trying, trying to be better tomorrow than I am today Bring it on I know there's nothing That I can’t get through Long as I'm driving, driving to you You’re everything that I need and more The family I was always searching for Let’s keep driving, driving Right through the rain, it don’t matter hurricane Keep tryin’, trying to be better tomorrow than we are today Bring it on I know there’s nothing We can’t get through Long as I’m driving, driving with you Long as I’m driving, driving with you Rebecca Fenton/ Jay Clementi ©2022 SongwritingWith:Soldiers Music/ Cross Keys (ASCAP)
3.
Work In Progress 04:34
lyrics
buy track
WORK IN PROGRESS Trever Fenton / Marshall Altman I’m a work in progress, I’m gonna get it wrong Cause I’m trying to figure out just how a mans supposed to be strong I’m a gravel driveway, off a hairpin curve And I don’t know much, but I know this, you’re more than I deserve So when I let you down, just a little bit Know that it ain’t who I want to be Darling, I hope you know, at the heart of it I’m trying to be the man I know you see How many days are in this story I don’t know, but the stars out tonight It ain’t always roses, romance, glory But even when it’s hard, it’s always worth the fight And I’m trying to get it right I’m trying to get it right I’m a stubborn bastard, set in my ways But I’m grateful, and I’m humbled, to be the object of your gaze I’m a granite canyon, I know I’m slow to change But you’re a river flowing through me, and I’ll never the same It ain’t all that complicated, but sometimes I forget That love’s a verb, not just a noun And you ain’t seen the best I got just yet How many days are in this story I don’t know, but the stars out tonight It ain’t always roses, romance, glory But even when it’s hard, it’s always worth the fight And I’m trying to get it right I’m trying to get it right How many nights, will my arms hold you How many mornings, with our boys How many ways, to show that loving you Fills my heart with joy And how many days are in this story I don’t know, but the stars out tonight It ain’t always roses, romance, glory But even when it’s hard, it’s always worth the fight Yeah even when it’s hard, it’s always worth the fight And I’m trying to get it right I’m trying to get it right Trever Fenton/ Marshall Altman ©2022 SongwritingWith:Soldiers Music (ASCAP) / Cole & Rawlins Music (BMI)
4.
Ramble On 03:24
lyrics
buy track
RAMBLE ON Dale Mofield / Mark Nesler I pulled an RV 80,000 miles behind an old Dodge Ram Along with my messed up attitude to some unknown land I’m burning up the road yeah, clearing out my mind I have good days and bad days but getting better all the time Got a woman in my life but I don’t want her in my bed Might sound a little strange but it fits perfect in my head Her and her wife have become my best friends We laugh and cry together but that ain’t where the story ends I could ramble on and on and on Ain’t no way to tell it all in a song But if you’ve got time to listen I’ll keep talking til you’re gone And ramble on and on and on If I was makin’ a double album i just might have the time To barely scratch the surface of this crazy life of mine I suppose I oughta mention my road dog named Hag Any love I give him he gives me ten times back I could ramble on and on and on Ain’t no way to tell it all in a song But if you’ve got time to listen I’ll keep talking til you’re gone And ramble on and on and on I’ve always got plenty more to say So be careful when you ask me how’s my day I could ramble on and on and on Ain’t no way to tell it all in a song But if you’ve got time to listen I’ll keep talking til you’re gone And ramble on and on and on On and on Dale Mofield / Mark Nesler ©2022 SongwritingWith:Soldiers Music (ASCAP)/ Getyasome Music (BMI
5.
Letting it Pour 02:33
lyrics
buy track
LETTING IT POUR Angela Caruso-Yahne / Mark Nesler I put up a wall that reached to the sky I couldn’t walk out had to stay inside For the greater good I was called to I just did what they told me to do I kept it all bottled up But that’s like pushing down a mountain of love Cause hearts don’t break they just break open And now that I’m free I’m leaving there knowing A much better me than I was before just letting it pour I wanted to be good at my job But for someone who cares more than a lot It’s a double edge sword that gets even worse Cause for me to be good someone’s getting hurt I kept it all bottled up But that’s like pushing down a mountain of love Cause hearts don’t break they just break open And now that I’m free I’m leaving there knowing A much better me than I was before just letting it pour Yeah that’s how I’ll get through It’s gotta flow out sometime It just has to Cause I kept it all bottled up But that’s like pushing down a mountain of love Cause hearts don’t break they just break open And now that I’m free I’m leaving there knowing A much better me than I was before just letting it pour Yeah, I’m letting it pour Angela Caruso-Yahne / Mark Nesler ©2022 SongwritingWith:Soldiers Music (ASCAP)/ Getyasome Music (BMI)
6.
Progress Not Perfection 03:56
lyrics
buy track
PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION Don Krimmer / Jay Clementi I couldn’t kill the lonely in my soul so cocaine did I used live to use thought I had to use to live I’d hate myself for what I just did And the next day I’d get up and do it all again Back then I’d sit and think about my next drink If I got rid of this compulsion, I wouldn’t know what to think Maybe I’d help other people find their way out of the dark Guide them to the light take the hurting off their heart For so many years I hated who I was Lost in rock bottom, I found strength in God's Love Then power in the stories of empty people just like me Working with each other on these chains to break free One day at a time with prayer’s connecting It’s progress not perfection It’s progress not perfection I’m clearing away the wreckage from my past I’ve been hauling it around it’s been kicking my ass Pain was the fire for my spiritual change It’s burning It’s burning pushing back the rain For so many years I hated who I was Lost in rock bottom, I found strength in God's Love Then power in the stories of empty people just like me Working with each other on the chains to break free One day at a time with prayer’s connecting It’s progress not perfection It’s progress not perfection For so many years I hated who I was Lost in rock bottom, I found strength in God's Love Then power in the stories of empty people just like me Working with each other on the chains to break free One day at a time with prayer’s connecting One day at a time with prayer’s connecting Progress not perfection Progress not perfection Progress not perfection Progress not perfection If there’s anyone out there listening know you’re not alone You don’t have to drink again Never drink again Don Krimmer/ Jay Clementi ©2022 SongwritingWith:Soldiers Music/ Cross Keys (ASCAP)
7.
Good Friday 04:14
lyrics
buy track
GOOD FRIDAY Jahnna Seeling / Bonnie Bishop It was your normal morning Before the firefight started Gray skies and flatlands and dry heat The last thing I remember Was listening to music Then an unexpected blast that should have killed me Before the mission We hang our heads Light our candles And say our prayers Trust that angels Will be there It’s a Blessed day God is with me It’s Good Friday All I knew was darkness All I heard was ringing Am I gonna see another day Then I heard my name Coming into clarity God is that you? Am I okay Before the mission We hang our heads Light our candles And say our prayers Trust that angels Will be there It’s a Blessed day God is with me It’s Good Friday The sun’s still shining Guess I’m still here So put the truck back in gear I’ve still got time To live more life Cause now death has saved me from all fear Before the mission We hang our heads Light our candles And say our prayers Trust that angels Will be there It’s a Blessed day God is with me It’s a Blessed day God is with me It’s Good Friday It’s Good Friday It’s Good Friday Jahnna Seeling/ Bonnie Bishop ©2022 SongwritingWith:Soldiers Music/ Plan BB Music (BMI)
8.
Warpaint 03:32
lyrics
buy track
WARPAINT Shawn Tillman / Bonnie Bishop Well I may not look to you like a woman who has been to war But I’ve been through some things that I’ve never told anyone before And I was raised by my grandmama who taught me to take my troubles to the Lord She said girl get your red lipstick Put your war paint on You better tread lightly Cause you can’t see my gun Cause Miss Page kept a pistol by her Bible on her bed stand at night And my mama she will always be a soldier but she never liked to fight You know us sweet-talking Southern women won’t always kill you with kindness every time Girl get your red lipstick Put your war paint on You better tread lightly I’m trained to use this gun I didn’t want to be like them but somehow I guess I’ve turned out that way I’ve realized that life is just a balance of having strength and grace Rarely do well-behaved women make history anyway Girl get your red lipstick Put my war paint on You better tread lightly Don’t make me use my gun When I get my red lipstick Put my cherries jubilee on You better tread lightly Don’t make me use my gun Don’t make me use my gun Shawn Tillman/ Bonnie Bishop ©2022 SongwritingWith:Soldiers Music (ASCAP)/ Plan BB Music (BMI)
9.
Let The Light In 03:50
lyrics
buy track
LET THE LIGHT IN Angela Caruso-Yahne/ Rebecca Fenton/ Trever Fenton/ Don Krimmer/ Dale Mofield/ Jahnna Seeling/ Donna Smith/ Shawn Tillman/ Marshall Altman/ Bonnie Bishop/ Jay Clementi/ Mark Nesler Well I used to be a thorn between the roses But that was just a state of mind When one door opens, one door closes And yeah, well it’s about damn time There ain’t nothing wrong with a little sweetness The taste of nectar to the bee I used to kind think that it was weakness But that don’t make no sense to me Let the light in (hey hey hey hey) Let the new begin (hey hey hey hey) I’m all in (hey hey hey hey) I’m alright, yeah I’m alright I got used to holding on to something heavy It took a while to realize I had to let it go, but now I’m ready Ready to rise, I’m ready to Let the light in (hey hey hey hey) Let the new begin (hey hey hey hey) Yeah I’m all in (hey hey hey hey) I’m alright, yeah I’m alright Let the light in (hey hey hey hey) Let the new begin (hey hey hey hey) Yeah I’m all in (hey hey hey hey) I’m alright, yeah I’m alright Let the light in (hey hey hey hey) Let the new begin (hey hey hey hey) Yeah I’m all in (hey hey hey hey) I’m alright, yeah I’m alright Let the light in (hey hey hey hey) Let the new begin (hey hey hey hey) Yeah I’m all in (hey hey hey hey) I’m alright, yeah I’m alright Angela Caruso-Yahne/ Rebecca Fenton/ Trever Fenton/ Don Krimmer/ Dale Mofield/ Jahnna Seeling/ Donna Smith/ Shawn Tillman/ Marshall Altman/ Bonnie Bishop/ Jay Clementi/ Mark Nesler ©2022 SongwritingWith:Soldiers Music/ Cole & Rawlins Music (BMI)/ Plan BB Music (BMI)/ Cross Keys (ASCAP)/ Getyasome Music (BMI)
10.
Feeling Alive 02:59
lyrics
buy track
FEELING ALIVE Angela Caruso-Yahne/ Rebecca Fenton/ Trever Fenton/ Don Krimmer/ Dale Mofield/ Jahnna Seeling/ Donna Smith/ Shawn Tillman / Jay Clementi I’m feeling nervous but I’m here Doing 90 running from the fear Stepping on that stage eyes wide open I’m not alone I’m feeling hope and I’m feeling revived I’m feeling alive We got that energy Picking up that harmony Feeling revived Taking I-35 To find my tribe we all need a better life Yeah survived I’m feeling alive We’re all here living loud I’ve made mistakes but I’m standing proud Never thought I’d live to this age I made my choice I’m gonna turn the page I’m feeling revived I’m feeling alive We got that energy Picking up that harmony Feeling revived Taking I-35 To find my tribe we all need a better life Yeah survived I’m feeling alive Brothers and sisters Welcome home Brothers and sisters You’ve been gone too long You’ve been gone too long Now we’re feeling revived Feeling Alive We got that energy Picking up that harmony Feeling revived Taking I-35 To find my tribe we all need a better life Yeah I survived I’m feeling alive I’m feeling alive I’m feeling alive Angela Caruso-Yahne/ Rebecca Fenton/ Trever Fenton/ Don Krimmer/ Dale Mofield/ Jahnna Seeling/ Donna Smith/ Shawn Tillman / Jay Clementi ©2022 SongwritingWith:Soldiers Music / Cross Keys (ASCAP)

credits

released November 18, 2022

©2022 SongwritingWith:Soldiers Music / Cross Keys (ASCAP)

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

SongwritingWith:Soldiers image

SongwritingWith:Soldiers Nashville, Tennessee

SongwritingWith:Soldiers is a non-profit 501c (3) organization.

Our Mission: We transform lives by using collaborative songwriting to expand creativity, connections, and strengths.

contact / help

Contact SongwritingWith:Soldiers

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like SongwritingWith:Soldiers, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Saxophonist Isaiah Collier chats about his new LP and the influence of Pharoah Sanders.
listen now