Name: Use By Date by Clay Allen
Duration: 3 min 3 s
Description: A track about my sons and I not speaking for years and how I wish it could be different and that I wish there was a Use By date on forgiveness.

Better on a Barstool

I'm lucky to have a day job that lets me travel to historic downtowns and see the great work being done in this places as they are coming back to life.  Much of this album was inspired by this work.  The sound is inspired by my favorite country artist, Brad Paisley.

Life is Funny

Break the ice ‘neath this lonesome sky,
Bite the bullet, let my old heart cry.
Costs an arm to roam this rugged land,
No cuttin’ corners with a drifter’s hand.
Hit the sack when the campfire’s low,
Come rain or shine, where the wild winds blow.
A penny for thoughts, but they’re all I own,
Actions speak louder when you’re ridin’ alone.  


Break the ice ‘neath this lonesome sky,

Worn-out shoes, fading skies, full hearts – and you at the end of the road.
“Coming Home” is an emotional road song about late nights, second tries, and the pull of a place – or a person – that feels like home. With imagery of neon towns, falling stars, and blurry eyes on empty highways, it’s a track about finding clarity in return. For everyone who’s ever run far just to get closer.

Ausgetretene Schuhe, offener Himmel, volles Herz – und du am Ziel.
„Coming Home“ ist ein emotionaler Roadtrip-Song über späte Nächte, zweite Chancen und das tiefe Gefühl, unterwegs zu sein – und trotzdem zu wissen, wo man hingehört. Zwischen fallenden Sternen, flimmernden Straßen und leisen Erinnerungen erzählt der Song von der Kraft, heimzukehren. Für alle, die losfahren, um endlich anzukommen.

Coming Home

We all remember our dad’s old truck. The sound of the engine, the feel of the bench seat, and the stories built along the way. This song is a tribute to those good times, the lessons we learned, and the roads that shaped us. “Dad’s Old Truck” is a nostalgic country rock track that takes you back to where it all began.

Dad's Old Truck

A track about my sons and I not speaking for years and how I wish it could be different and that I wish there was a Use By date on forgiveness.

Use By Date

We are all responsible for doing our part...#Pray for Texas

Life’s Invoice

“Back For Me” is a quiet, powerful meditation on the humility and grace that come when a lost love finds its way home—years, even decades, after goodbye. It’s not a song about regret. It’s a song about enduring love—the kind that lives in silence, matures with time, and returns not with fanfare, but with truth.

With aching vocals and a timeless folk-rock arrangement, Tim Cooney captures the emotional reckoning of being seen again by someone who once knew your soul—and still does. Part of The Journeyman soundtrack, this track echoes the memoir’s central theme: it’s never too late to begin again.

The Journeyman Vol II

Back For Me

Several generations in....the land holds memory and blood.


A warm, rootsy ballad with fertile soil in its soul. Out Here... Nobody’s Watchin’ captures the quiet resilience of rural life where things might look rough, but they’re workin’. Slide guitar, understated vocals, and grounded imagery....that reminds you of home, healing, simplicity, or the slow grace of everyday living.


LYRICS

This land is hard and needs some help
Eight generations in, we depend on self
Ain't got no time...for no pity
While them crops out there are sittin pretty

Chorus
Its rickety , looks rough..but it's workin
Like a man who's seen hard times...just hurtin
Scotch irish strong.. bred to the bone..
My pappy told me.. boy, you ain't alone

Verse 2
My wife.. she's borne five men strong
The backbone of this family
Always smiles, hardly complains
She brings me to my knees..

Chorus
Its rickety , looks rough..but it's workin
Like a man who's seen hard times...but keeps hurtin
Scotch Irish strong.. bred to the bone..
My pappy told me.. boy, you ain't alone

Verse 3
Us farmers gotta take a stand...
Ain't gotta be loud or grand but
Nothing like feelin fresh soil in my hands
Knowing we feed America from the heartland

Chorus
Its rickety , looks rough..but it's workin
Like a man who's seen hard times...just hurtin
Scotch Irish strong.. bred to the bone..
My pappy told me.. boy, you ain't alone

Out Here...Nobody's Watchin

Out Here..Nobody's Watchin

Let’s Make Country Great Again3

Feelings of War is a heartfelt country ballad with a touch of Irish influence, born from a poem I first wrote in 1990–1991 during the Gulf War. Decades later, in 2025, I adapted those words into song as a tribute to my wife—Lt. Col. Debbie Sterling, USAF—for her courage, sacrifice, and faithful service to our country.

This song reflects the doubt, fear, and separation we endured during wartime, but also the strength of love that carried us through. It’s about keeping the home fires burning, holding onto faith, and waiting for the day when two hearts are reunited again.

A story of love, duty, and resilience—Feelings of War is both personal and universal, honoring the men and women who serve and the families who stand beside them.

Feelings of War

I am a lyricist just trying to get noticed. I am not a musician like most of you although I know what my lyrics should sound like in my head, and I use whatever I have at my disposal to create that sound. That includes AI. Then I take the Stems and put them into FL Studio to get the final sound I want.  I just want to write songs for people, artists, whomever and hear them come to life on the radio and streaming services. I can only play drums, and my singing voice sounds like an old coon hounds wail and since I can't afford to pay studio artists, I get the help from wherever is possible. I have so many poems and journal entries of my life and experiences on this planet that aren't doing anyone any good sitting on my computer, so I decided to try to bring them to life.

Use By Date

Clay Allen

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