Unstoppable Bette

This song is deeply personal—it holds pieces of my own life, my own journey. When I sing, “didn’t know how to love until you taught me so,” it comes from experience. I thought I understood love, but it wasn’t until I became a parent that I truly learned what it meant.

We’re all doing the best we can, every single day. Some of us navigate it better than others, and that’s okay. For me, I was determined to break the cycle—to ensure that the trauma I experienced wouldn’t be passed down to my children. This song is a call to pass down love, empathy, and the belief in oneself—because that’s the kind of legacy worth leaving behind.

I know I could have done better. But I also know that I did the best I could with the knowledge, resources, and emotional strength I had at the time.

Let’s come together and Pass It Down.


Lyrics:
Grew up in a house where the roof barely held
Daddy swung a hammer, Mama prayed we’d be well
We had enough but never much more
Hand-me-down jeans and cracks in the floor

Started young with a wrench in my hand
Worked overtime just to make a stand
Missed your first steps, caught the tail end of two
But I never missed a game when you laced up your shoes

Life’s a little tough, but love gets around
Built on the backs of what came before now
From holding your hand to watching you grow
You’re learning the things only time lets you know
It’s grit and grace, the ties that bind
Unconditional love ain’t hard to find
You hold that baby with tears in your eyes
And I see my heart in yours this time
Pass it down, pass it down

First time I held you, swore I’d never let go
Didn’t know how to love ‘til you taught me so
Braids in your hair and mud on your knees
Now you’re braiding her hair, I can’t believe what I see

Called me “Papa” today, I damn near broke down
That little smile with her mama’s eyes
The years flew by like dust in the wind
But we’re building something that’ll never end

Life’s a little tough, but love gets around
Built on the backs of what came before now
From holding your hand to watching you grow
You’re learning the things only time lets you know
It’s grit and grace, the ties that bind
Unconditional love ain’t hard to find
You hold that baby with tears in your eyes
And I see my heart in yours this time
Pass it down, pass it down

It’s Sunday dinners and prayers at night
Picking wildflowers, porch swings at twilight
What you give away is what you keep
Roots run deep when the heart plants the seed

Life’s a little tough, but love gets around
Built on the backs of what came before now
From holding your hand to watching you grow
You’re learning the things only time lets you know
It’s grit and grace, the ties that bind
Unconditional love ain’t hard to find
You hold that baby with tears in your eyes
And I see my heart in yours this time
Pass it down, pass it down

You’re more than enough, you’ve always been
Through struggle and sweat, through thick and thin
Just look at her smile, the love that you’ve found
It’s a beautiful life — pass it down

Pass It Down

Elbows Up (Country Version)

Back Then

[Verse 1]
Back then,
Was a different world, 
In different times,
With different rules.
Right now,
Can’t speak your mind,
Can’t cross the line,
Can’t waste the fuel.

[Verse 2]
Back then,
You drove a truck,
Five hundred miles,
Only cost you twenty.
Right now, 
Can’t fill her up,
Can’t afford a trip,
Passed the county.

[Chorus]
I remember we were free, didn’t need much to get by.
Now we’re chasin’ every dollar, in a world runnin’ dry.
We were livin’ for the moment, without fear in our eyes.
Now we’re barely holdin’ on, as our time slippin’ by.

[Verse 3]
Back then, 
You drank the water, 
From a garden hose,
And you’re still breathin’.
Right now,
You read the labels,
You wash your hands,
And you’re still thinkin’.

[Verse 4]
Back then,
you went to church,
Listened to a prayer,
And asked for mercy.
Right now, 
You’re wastin’ time, 
Waitin’ for a sign, 
But you can’t see.

[Chorus]
I remember we were free, didn’t need much to get by
Now we’re chasin’ every dollar, in a world runnin’ dry
We were living for the moment, without fear in our eyes
Now we’re barely holdin’ on, as our time slippin’ by

[Verse 5]
Back then,
Was a different world,
In different times,
With different rules.
Right now,
It’s a whole new world, 
A whole new time,
And too many rules.

[Chorus]
I remember we were free, didn’t need much to get by
Now we’re chasin’ every dollar, in a world runnin’ dry
We were living for the moment, without fear in our eyes
Now we’re barely holdin’ on, as our time slippin’ by

Back Then
Back Then
Back Then

Terence Hart – All Right Reserved

Terrence Hart

Back Then

OLD FREINDS

You ain't her

Drinking For Three (Marvin Shelton)

[VERSE]
We used to park down by the shore, in the tall grass
Your feet up on the dashboard, footprints on the glass
Those memories take hold, and never let me go!

[CHORUS]
I ain't stopping at one, I need more than two
It's the only way, I won't think about you
A six pack or more, sitting at the lake
Hell, I might need a keg, as much as it's gonna take
This is for my truck, my dog and me. 
Yeah, I'm drinking for three

[VERSE]
You always were the first person, that he'd run to
The second that you walked in, he was all over you
He won't chase a ball no more, or even get off the porch!

[CHORUS]
I ain't stopping at one, I need more than two
It's the only way, I won't think about you
A six pack or more, sitting at the lake
Hell, I might need a keg, as much as it's gonna take
This is for my truck, my dog and me. 
Yeah, I'm drinking for three

[BRIDGE]
I don't even want to cast a line
I guess you've out fished me...,
for the last time!

[Instrumental]

[CHORUS 2]
I didn't stop at one, not even two
By the way, I'm still thinking 'bout you
A six pack or more, sitting at the lake
Hell, I might need a keg, as much as it's gonna take 
This is for my truck, my dog and me. 
Yeah, I'm drinking for three
Ever since the day you up and left me,... I've been drinking for three

Drinking For Three (uptempo)

Every time love goes bad she looks good to me

You Wear It Well

[Verse 1]
When you and I met for the first time
Oh how I tried so hard to catch your eye
I knew what we had was real
That’s still the way I feel

[CHORUS]
I guess it’s a good thing that I didn’t know
That we’d part ways somewhere down the road
Cuz I would have up and run
Never done the things we’ve done
So if you don’t mind I’m taking it slow, letting you go

[Verse 2]
I keep it all inside, say I’ll be alright
But time after time, I know I'm living a lie
Cuz' that ain't the way I feel.
This broken heart is real

[CHORUS]
I guess it’s a good thing that I didn’t know
That we’d part ways somewhere down the road
Cuz I would have up and run
Never done the things we’ve done
So if you don’t mind I’m taking it slow, letting you go

[Solo]
[Bridge]
I knew what we had was real
Dammit that’s how I feel

[CHORUS]
I guess it’s a good thing that I didn’t know
That we’d part ways somewhere down the road
Cuz I would have up and run
Never done the things we’ve done
So if you don’t mind I’m taking it slow
If you don’t mind I’m taking it slow, letting you go
letting you go

Letting you Go (New Version)

You wore goodbye like a fashion piece,
Said, “this ain’t deep,” but you still kissed me.
Left your perfume on my old gray tee,
Like you knew what that would do to me.
We made rules like we planned to break ‘em—
Hearts unlocked with no plan to take ‘em.
One look back, and I knew that face—
It was never just a one-night place.
We said, “don’t catch feels,” but we caught ‘em fast…
Now I’m wonderin’ why we even said that.
You’re way too good at fallin’ halfway,
Then pullin’ me back like it’s all okay.
Actin’ cool, but your hand don’t lie—
It’s on my chest every Friday night.
We said, “don’t stay,” but you never leave—
Now your toothbrush is beside my sink.
We were supposed to walk away—
But girl, we’re fallin’ anyway.
You say, “we’re chill,” but you text too soon,
Sayin’ “goodnight” with a full-blown moon.
Your lipstick stains still on my glass,
Like you meant to leave a little past.
I try to act like we’re just a fling,
But my playlist says you’re everything.
We played dumb, but we knew the score—
Girl, we’ve been more since night number four…
You’re way too good at fallin’ halfway,
Then pullin’ me back like it’s all okay.
Actin’ cool, but your hand don’t lie—
It’s slidin’ over by Saturday night.
We said, “don’t stay,” but you never leave—
Now your earrings sleep on my TV.
We were supposed to walk away—
But girl, we’re fallin’ anyway.
You say “no label,” but it’s all over town.
We’re foolin’ no one when you’re always around.
Might not be love… not yet, okay?
But hearts don’t fake it this far, this way.
You’re way too good at fallin’ halfway,
Then makin’ me think I should wanna stay.
You’re in my shirt, on my couch, all day—
Call it what you want, but you’re here to stay.
We said, “don’t stay,” just somethin’ light—
But now you’re leavin’ on my porch light.
We were supposed to walk away—
[caesura – 1 beat silence]
But girl… we’re fallin’ anyway.


Fallin' Anyway

leaving you behind!

Originally from Las Vegas, NM, Marvin Shelton is a songwriter based out of Tijeras, New Mexico. With influences ranging from George Strait to Bon Jovi, Marvin combines melodies and storytelling into an experience for the listener, allowing them to be elsewhere if only for a short while.