A grudge can be a heavy load
Too heavy to have and to hold
It can make a heart grow cold
It might be best to let it go

A grudge can truly take it's toll
Crush your love n smudge your soul
A grudge can spoil a great relationship
The best thing to do is pray and forgive

Don't let bitterness spread and fester
Don't let it poison your heart n soul
I ain't tryin' to give you a lecture
But it might be best to let it go

If you find it difficult to forgive n forget
Think of things you did that you regret
The king came and He paid our debt
Where would we be if His blood wasn't shed?

The judge is the only one who knows
What we've been through
And the seeds we've sown
A grudge can truly take it's toll

A grudge can crush your very soul
God loved us so much He paid our toll
A grudge can fester if we let it grow
It's best to just let it go

Don't let bitterness spread and fester
Don't let it poison your heart n soul
I ain't tryin' to give you a lecture
It might be best to just let it go

If you find it difficult to forgive n forget
Think of things you did that you regret
The king came and He paid our debt
Where would we be if His blood wasn't shed?

He sees us as we truly are
With all our flaws and all our scars
If we hold unforgiveness in our hearts
He'll withhold deliverance and we'll be barred
From His kingdom

If you find it difficult to forgive n forget
Think of things you did that you regret
The king came and He paid our debt
Where would we be if His blood wasn't shed?

A grudge can be a heavy load
Too heavy to have and to hold
It can make a heart grow cold
It might be best to let it go

I ain't tryin' to give you a lecture
Don't let unforgiveness spread and fester
Lord, forgive us our debts
as we forgive our debtors

Don't let bitterness spread and fester
Don't let it poison your heart n soul
I ain't tryin' to give you a lecture
It might be best to let it go
It's best to just let it go
Just let it go... 

It's Best to Let it Go

Never been to art school
But I can draw the wrong conclusion
Now I'm sittin' on this barstool
Tryin' to find absolution

Lookin' for forgiveness
In the strangest places
Lookin' for deliverance
From strangers that are nameless

I strike up a conversation
With a sad, unhappy soul
Six degrees of separation
From a man that's on the dole

We have a lot more in common
Than you might ever know
Don't need a priest or shaman
to circumcise my soul

I need to pay my tab
And walk out that door
My future's up for grabs
I feel it deep in my core...

Still believe in the golden rule
Gotta pretty sticky situation
Feel like a silly old fool
Tryin' to find some kind of salvation

Lookin' for a way of escape
From this mixed up maze
Lookin' for forgiveness
For healin' and grace

I strike up a conversation
With a sad, unhappy soul
Six degrees of separation
From a man that's on parole

We have a lot more in common
Than you might ever know
Don't need a priest or shaman
to circumcise my soul

I need to pay my tab
And walk out that door
I need to catch a cab
They're moppin' up the floor

All these memories I'm makin'
Like photos that have faded
Leave me alone and naked

I strike up a conversation
With a sad, unhappy soul
Six degrees of separation
From a cabby with a heart of gold

We have a lot more in common
Than you might ever know
Don't need a priest or shaman
To circumcise my soul

I need to pay my tab
And walk out that door
Left my white coat in the lab
Tossed my doubts on the floor

Never been to art school
But I can draw the wrong conclusion
Now I'm sittin' on this barstool
Tryin' to find absolution

I strike up a conversation
With the One who's in control
Six degrees of separation
From revolution and revolt 

Six Degrees of Separation

I wake up rumpled and unshaven
But I'm humbled and I'm thankful
For the beauty of Your creation
That's so serene and tranquil

I smell the eggs and bacon
Slip on my robe n sandals
Sit down at the table
Brain n eggs are scrambled

We pray and pause before we eat
And thank God for our daily bread
For the sound of little running feet
And for the roof above our heads

Thank You for Your provision
For our family and our friends
We ask You for forgiveness
God help us to make amends

We were lost and blind
You bore our shame
We wanna take this time
To praise Your name

We were imprisoned
Needin' forgiveness
We spoke Your name
You broke our chains


Thank You for Your provision
For our family and our friends
We ask You for forgiveness
God help us to make amends

We were lost and blind
You bore our shame
We wanna take this time
To praise Your name

We were imprisoned
Needin' forgiveness
We spoke Your name
You broke our chains

We need Your wisdom
We were imprisoned
Needin' forgiveness
You died n are risen

You bore our shame
We spoke Your name
You broke our chains
You broke our chains

You bore our shame
We spoke Your name
You broke our chains

We were lost and blind
You bore our shame
We wanna take this time
To praise Your name

We were imprisoned
Needin' forgiveness
We spoke Your name
You broke our chains 

You Broke Our Chains

Song about growing up in the 50's and 60's by Retro Poet Stan Countz
Lyrics
Take a ride in my time machine
Take a spin, it's been a changing scene.
How long's it been since you were seventeen
And you knew absolutely everything?

Back to the days
of Mickey Mantle and Willy Mays
Tony Randall and Doris Day
Lou Rawls and Marvin Gaye.

Do you recall that fateful day
in the motorcade?
The day they shot
JFK?

Barney Google blew his bugle
and marched in place.
Yankee Doodle used his noodle
and won the race
to the moon...
And the dish ran away
with the spoon.

Back in the day
when the big debate
was who to take
on that big date.

Days of carhops on roller skates
sock hops and blind dates
Before Vietnam and Watergate
pet rocks and eight track tapes

Before we had to ask our date
if they were gay, bi or straight.

Couldn't wait to drive our Fords and Chevys.
Lookin' forward to 'goin' steady.
The Beav, Wally and Eddy
Fred, Barney and Betty.

Gettin' ready to take on the world
One day at at time.
We didn't have a dime.
It was a simpler time

and a slower pace.
We looked our friends
right in the face.
Had no use for Youtube
Facebook or Myspace

Tatoos were taboo.
Only cowboys cried "yahoo".
We were lost on Gilligan's Isle
and Lost in Space.
Loved Gomer Pyle
and Peyton Place.
Perry Mason never lost a trial
or a case.

Barney Google blew his bugle
and marched in place.
Yankee Doodle used his noodle
and won the race
to the moon...
And the dish ran away
with the spoon.

The Dish Ran Away with the Spoon

Mama say, “Child, you growin’ up fast,
Time gon’ fly like a pole that's cast.”
Barefoot dreams on the island sand,
I’m walkin’ tall like a brand-new man.

Sunrise colors on my open door,
Life keep callin’, can’t be ignored
Every little flaw, every little fall,
Make me strong, I hear the call.

Waves roll in, tellin’ me to come out of hidin',
Feel the rhythm of the wave I’m ridin'…

I’m steppin’ into my glory,
Dancin' on the waves of the sea—
Calypso wind tellin' my story,
Put a brand-new flame in me.

I’m learnin’ who I’m becoming
And who I’m meant to be;
Future vision truly stunning
Brings me to my knees

Grandpa smile, say “You’ll understand,
Storms gon' come, but you still must stand.”
Long road stretchin’ like a reggae bass,
But joy come easy when you set your pace.

Findin' my courage in the midnight deep,
Memories drift like the waves in sleep.
Every new sunrise paint my sky,
Growin’ up slow but the years fly by

Waves roll in, tellin’ me to come out of hidin',
Feel the rhythm of the wave I’m ridin'…

I’m steppin’ into my glory,
Dancin' on the waves of the sea—
Calypso wind tellin' my story,
Put a brand-new flame in me.

I’m learnin’ who I’m becoming,
And who I’m meant to be;
Future vision truly stunning
Brings me to my knees

Ooh, island moonlight guide my way,
Show me what dreams to chase
Every beat and every breeze,
Whisper, “Grow into your dreams.”

I’m steppin’ into my glory,
Dancin' on the waves of the sea—
Calypso wind tellin' my story,
Put a brand-new flame in me.

I’m learnin’ who I’m becoming,
And who I’m meant to be;
Future vision truly stunning
Brings me to my knees

Ooh, island moonlight guide my way,
Show me what dreams to chase
Every beat and every breeze,
Whisper, “Grow into your dreams.”

I’m learnin’ who I’m becoming,
And who I’m meant to be;
Future vision truly stunning
Brings me to my knees

Calypso Wind

Don’t mean to be a stuffed shirt
You know I’m but dust and dirt
I don’t want my "just desserts”
Just want to know where I’m headin’

You’ve seen me at my worst
I’ll seek your kingdom first
May your will be done on earth
As it is in heaven

You’ve walked a mile in my shoes
You've been reviled and abused
So I’ll follow wherever you lead me
I’ll walk in your ways, all of my days
You’ll never forsake me or leave me

Where your truth takes root -- it bears great fruit
A huge tree begins with a little seedling
So here’s the good news, I may be battered and bruised
But I’ll be there in the midst of where you’re leading

You walk right beside me
To teach and to guide me
You abide with me
All of my days

You cue and remind me
Fine-tune and refine me
You’re familiar with
All of my ways

You’ve walked a mile in my shoes
You've been reviled and abused
So I’ll follow wherever you lead me
I’ll walk in your ways, all of my days
You’ll never forsake me or leave me

Where your truth takes root -- it bears great fruit
A huge tree begins with a little seedling
So here’s the good news, I may be battered and bruised
But I’ll be there in the midst of where you’re leading

You walk right beside me
To teach me and guide me
You abide with me
All of my days

You cue and remind me
Fine-tune and refine me
You’re familiar with
All of my ways

Where your truth takes root
it bears great fruit
A huge tree begins
with a little seedling

So here’s the good news,
I may be battered and bruised
But I’ll be there in the midst
of where you’re leading

You walk right beside me
To teach and to guide me
You abide with me
All of my days

You cue and remind me
Fine-tune and refine me
You’re familiar with
All of my ways

You abide with me
All of my days
You’re familiar with 
All of my ways
... All of my ways

All of My Ways

Thought I saw Jesus just the other day
Carrying a big bouquet of lilacs and roses
It was addressed to Abraham, Isaac
Jacob and Moses

He was humming a catchy tune
And handed them a card that read
I’m praying for you, so get well soon
He signed it with a bright red pen

They acted like He wasn’t there
Ignored Him and then grew sullen
As they were prayin’ a prayer
For the peace of Jerusalem

May Your Kingdom come, may Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven; embrace the son
And your sin will be forgiven; then we'll be watchin'
And prayin' for the peace, the peace of Jerusalem

He said “I came not to bring peace but a sword
And to preach the acceptable day of the Lord
One day we will be of one mind and accord
And my Father’s kingdom will be restored.”

“Good luck with that,” they said from their bed
As if they all spoke with a single voice
With a nod of his head, He quietly said
“When a sinner repents, the angels rejoice.”

“Ain’t no sinners here,” they volunteered
He said “The kingdom of God is very near.”
And I thought I saw Him shed a silent tear
As He prayed “God give them ears to hear.”

May Your Kingdom come, may Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven; embrace the son
And your sin will be forgiven; then we'll be watchin'
And prayin' for the peace, the peace of Jerusalem

He said “I came not to bring peace but a sword
And to preach the acceptable day of the Lord
One day we will be of one mind and accord
And my Father’s kingdom will be restored.”

Both Isaac and Jacob rose up as if to stand
“Are you greater than our father Abraham?”
Jesus declared “I am the lion and the lamb
Before Abraham was -- I am.”

“If you had only known Him,
You would’ve recognized me.”
They picked up rocks to stone Him
They were just too blind to see

CHORUS
May Your Kingdom come, may Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven; embrace the son
And your sin will be forgiven; then we'll be watchin'
And prayin' for the peace, the peace of Jerusalem

He said “I came not to bring peace but a sword
And to preach the acceptable day of the Lord
One day we will be of one mind and accord
And my Father’s kingdom will be restored.” 

The Peace of Jerusalem

Inspired by my youngest brother Ken who passed away in 2009 having mixed alcohol with Oxycotton

He wore his best cowboy hat
Whenever he'd paint the town
His friend Pat made him laugh
Whenever he came around

He'd been sippin' whiskey
For two straight days and nights
He was feelin' kinda dizzy
So he asked Pat to give him ride

They were just gonna pick up
A coupla packs of cigarettes
But they found some butts
And rolled their own instead

They rolled a coupla doobies
Sat back and just relaxed
Watched a coupla movies
And started thinkin' back
To those 'good ol' days'

Partyin' hardy with a bottle of Bacardi
Laughin' hard at Laurel and Hardy
Whatever happened to Gabby Hayes
Vince Lombardi and Willie Mays?

Was it only a passing faze 
or a momentary craze?
My memory’s a haze 
or were they truly
The good ol’ days?

His friend Pat found him in his favorite place
There he sat in his hat with a smile on his face
If his kids only knew what he’d been through
They would have been amused and amazed
He was thinkin' back to those 'good ol' days'

Partyin' hardy with a bottle of Bacardi
Laughin' hard at Laurel and Hardy
Whatever happened to Gabby Hayes
Vince Lombardi and Willie Mays?

as it only a passing faze 
or a momentary craze?
My memory’s a haze 
or were they truly
The good ol’ days?

It was a simpler time and a slower pace
He looked his "friends" right in the face
Tattoos were taboo, only cowboys cried “Yahoo”
And life wasn’t quite so fast-paced

There he sat with that smile on his face
Wearin' his hat, he went out in a blaze
He was lost in a fog and lost in space
I thank God for His amazing grace

His friend Pat found him in his favorite place
There he sat with that smile on his face
And that was that, he was lost in space
Wearin' his hat, he went out in a blaze

He knew it was risky, 
but he'd hit rock bottom
Shouldn't mix whiskey
with oxycotton 

Out in a Blaze

Dedicated to the memory of my youngest brother, Ken, who went out in a blaze in 2009 by mixing alcohol with oxycotin. Rest in Peace little brother. 

Good Ol' Daze - Out in a Blaze

I wake up each day with a grateful heart
But I'm watching what we made breakin' apart
Things we took for granted are slippin' away
It was a simpler time and different place

Granddad told me 'bout the price he paid
Seems these days we've really got it made
Now I see the walls that once stood strong
Startin' to fall, somethin's gone wrong

Today Lady Liberty is beyond the pale
Filled with evil judges and cashless bail
NYC's got a commie - runnin' the town
Academic zombies - dumbin' us down

What happened to the land of the free?
Screens spewing crap and insanity
Need to cut through the lies and hate
And get back to what made us great

(We need to stand guard, stand guard)
For the generations yet to come
(Stand guard, stand guard)
Till our work on earth is done

I remember Sunday morning we'd gather 'round
Voices raised in praise, a gladdening sound
We'd speak our minds without fear or doubt
Now the loud voices wanna burn it all down

We're losing our right to keep and bear arms
While Gates n Red China own all our farms
In some towns they're following Sharia Law
Gonna lose our land if we don't stand guard

(We need to stand guard, stand guard)
For the generations yet to come
(Stand guard, stand guard)
Till our work on earth is done

Today Lady Liberty is weak and frail
Filled with evil judges and cashless bail
NYC's got a commie - runnin' the town
Academic zombies - dumbin' us down

What happened to - the land of the free?
Screens spewing crap - and insanity
Need to cut through the lies and hate
And get back to what made us great

When the winds of change come blowing through
And they try to take what belongs to you
Don't bow your knee, roll over and die
Gotta rise up, be sober and fight
(fight, fight, fight)

The weight of history is on our shoulders now
Generations before us have shown us how
To cherish what we have, not take it for granted
Don't wanna lose what we've been handed

Need to stand guard through the night and day
To make sure these blessings never slip away
Need to cut through the lies and hate
And get back to what made us great

(We need to stand guard, stand guard)
For the generations yet to come
(Stand guard, stand guard)
Till our work on earth is done

Stand Guard - What Made Us Great

I walk these streets
Where my fathers walked
Breathing the same air
They once breathed

Tryin' to connect the dots
Wonderin' what kind
Of legacy I'll leave
It's hard to believe

They call it progress
They say it's grand
It wasn't bomb threats
That made this land

We need to hold fast
To the things that last
Be bold and fight
For what we know is right

We need to hold on
We need to right what's wrong
Before it's long gone
We need to right what's wrong

My grandpa's unyielding hands
Worked the fields and the land
But loud voices taunt and jeer
The end is drawing near

Other voices on the rise
Offer choices I despise
These voices yell and scream
Making noises in the streets

They say it's progress
They say it's safe
Didn't win a contest
It was God's grace

We need to hold fast
To the things that last
Be bold and fight
For what we know is right

We need to hold on
We need to right what's wrong
Before it's long gone
We need to right what's wrong

When the winds of change blow like the breeze
And they try to take what belongs to me
I won't give in, won't bow my knee
I won't be timid, or cowardly

I'll hold on tight, be bold and fight
Won't let the devil, devour me
I'll walk in the Light as You're in the light
I'll let Your Spirit empower me

The weight of change is on my shoulders now
Those who came before me, have shown me how
To cherish what I have, not take it for granted
Don't wanna lose the chance, I've been handed

Need to stand guard through the night and day
To make sure these blessings don't slip away
What we have is sacred, what we have is true
Need to protect the red, white and blue

We need to hold fast
To the things that last
Be bold and fight
For what we know is right

We need to hold on
We need to right what's wrong
Before it's long gone
We need to right what's wrong

Right What's Wrong

Songwriter. Storyteller. Sound pioneer, Stan Countz is a genre-bending songwriter with over 300 original songs under his belt — a true craftsman of lyric and melody. From his debut track “Those Hap Happy Days” in 2005, a nostalgic tribute to the golden era of the ’50s and ’60s, Stan has built a musical legacy rooted in meaning, melody, and message.

Writing under the moniker Stan and Be Counted, he stands tall in the world of music as both a creator and a voice of purpose. His catalog spans a kaleidoscope of genres — from contemporary Christian rock and gospel to EDM, country pop, blues, R&B, hip hop, folk, and beyond. Each song is a reflection of his passion for storytelling and his desire to uplift, challenge, and connect.

Whether crafting soul-stirring love ballads, foot-tapping jingles, or heart-pounding hard rock anthems, Stan brings a rare blend of versatility, depth, and soul to every track. He doesn't just write songs — he writes moments you can feel.

Stan Countz is more than an artist — he’s a movement. A call to stand... and be counted. He is a prolific lyricist and lives in Denison, Texas with his artist/photographer wife. 

If you're an Artist looking for a song for the next hit, send me a message. Who knows, I may have a gem and a #1 hit for us both!