If your ship has come in and your flag is flyin' high, don't slip into sin, don't be full of pride. Cuz pride goes before a fall!

Song about Big Pharma's control of the medical establishment

Money's Pretty Good at Talking

Love Come To Life

Redeemed

This song is open source ...Cover Away!
The Land of Close and Almost  by songwriter Edwin H. Balder
played my part just off the stage
behind the lights and center page
steel string, low key, old sunburst wood
made a lot of stars sound good
i've had stadium crowds on their feet
for a solo that never had my name on the seat
then I slide back down, no bow, no boast
just another face in the land of close and almost
rode the bus through a thousand towns
tuned the set while they wrote it down
shared my soul with neon halls
while the headliner soaked it all
knew better than to wait for a wave
some stories just ain’t made to save
you shake the hand, you lift the load
then disappear on a different road
but it’s been almost wonderful to me
this life just shy of marquee
no gold-plated name, no fan mail flood
but I’ve bled truth in every chord I strummed
in the shadow of the spotlight’s ghost
I found my home
in the land of close and almost
there’s a brotherhood behind that mic
where late-night jokes outlive the likes
we raise our cups to second takes
and harmonies the star can’t fake
we play for rent, and for the hush
when a room goes still in a quiet rush
no interviews, no headlines bold—
just worn-down calluses and gold
i’ve watched the glitz, i’ve seen the fall
signed names on vinyl with no call
stood behind a singer in rhinestone light
while my chord held up their biggest night
but I learned a thing the front don’t teach—
the deepest love don’t need a speech
there’s glory in the hidden hand
that helps a stranger take a stand
so to the drummers, techs, and pedal men
the ones who try, then try again
we built this whole damn song by host—
this land of close
and almost
yeah, it’s been almost wonderful to me
a patchwork prayer in every key
i’ve earned my keep in grace and grit
and left no stage without a bit
may not be the name they toast
but I belong
in the land of close and almost
still I belong...
in the land of close and almost
close and almost (close and almost) close and almost
still I belong...(belong)
in the land of close and almost
close.. and.. almost.. (close and almost) ...close ...and ...almost......


More country songs you can cover : https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/song-of-the-year-songs?si=15ee4215ebcd4cdcb9004bd452a2c2d7&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing


The Land of Close and Almost  by songwriter Edwin H. Balder

Lyrics by Stan Countz
A woman's heart holds a thousand secrets
Her secret fears, her inner weakness
Her secret loves she buries deepest
She tells no one where she keeps it

It's hard to measure or define
Like buried treasure - it's hard to find
Gotta dig deep and listen close before
You find the key that unlocks her door

She recalls all the taunts and jeers
They're locked inside her box of tears
Caught between her doubts and fears
That haunt her throughout the years

A woman's heart holds a thousand secrets
Walks a line between strength and weakness
Her secret loves she buries deepest
She tells no one where she keeps it

She's slayin' inner giants tryna tear her apart
Loving her is a science and an art
Swings between courageous and afraid of the dark
Carries a thousand secrets deep in her heart

She recalls all the taunts and jeers
They're locked inside her box of tears
Caught between her doubts and fears
That haunt her throughout the years

She's slayin' inner giants tryna tear her apart
Loving her is a science and an art
Swings between courageous and afraid of the dark
Carries a thousand secrets deep in her heart

It's hard to measure or define
Like buried treasure - it's hard to find
Gotta dig deep and listen close before
You find the key that unlocks her door

Caught between her doubts and fears
That haunt her throughout the years
She recalls all the taunts and jeers
They're locked inside her box of tears

Caught between her doubts and fears
That haunt her throughout the years
She recalls all the taunts and jeers
They're locked inside her box of tears
Her box of tears

Box of Tears (Female Vocals)

I can't believe what we've become
Our nation is still reeling
Gunned down in cold blood at thirty one
And some are still unfeeling

What did he do? What was his crime?
That they had to take him away?
Snatched away in his prime
Because they couldn't win the debate

While left-wing nuts feast and cheer
The rest of us can't believe our ears
It seems to me, something's snapped
The people weep, the devil laughs

This wasn't the way it had to be
But God's gonna use this tragedy
To help those leadin' us see the light
And expose the media's evil lies

Charlie's army won't be slowed or stopped
In fact, it's gonna grow and pick up steam
Don't be deceived, God won't be mocked
As we expose their wicked schemes

Charlie's army is gonna sweep the land
It'll grow, it can't be shadow-banned
Those who sat in silence will finally take a stand
N those who do violence will feel the jailer's hand

I can't believe what we've heard and seen
Our nation's heart was beginning to heal
But now it seems all they want is blood
Now they're gonna see the Art of the Deal

What did he do? What was his crime?
That they had to take him away?
Snatched away in his prime
Because they couldn't win the debate

Charlie's army won't be slowed or stopped
In fact, it's gonna grow and pick up steam
Don't be deceived, God won't be mocked
As He exposes their wicked schemes

Charlie's army is gonna sweep the land
It'll grow, it can't be shadow-banned
Those who sat in silence will finally take a stand
N those who do violence will feel the jailer's hand

He was slayin' deep state giants
Tryna tear this nation apart
Don't need more violence
Need to keep Charlie's legacy
Deep in our hearts

Charlie's army won't be slowed or stopped
We need to be brave, not afraid of the dark
Charlie's army is gonna sweep the land
So get off the sidelines, and join the band

Charlie's Army

I can't believe what we've become
Our nation is still reeling
Gunned down in cold blood at thirty one
And some are still unfeeling

What did he do? What was his crime?
That they had to take him away?
Snatched away in his prime
Because they couldn't win the debate

While left-wing nuts feast and cheer
The rest of us can't believe our ears
It seems to me, something's snapped
The people weep, the devil laughs

This wasn't the way it had to be
But God's gonna use this tragedy
To help those leadin' us see the light
And expose the media's evil lies

Charlie's army won't be slowed or stopped
In fact, it's gonna grow and pick up steam
Don't be deceived, God won't be mocked
As we expose their wicked schemes

Charlie's army is gonna sweep the land
It'll grow, it can't be shadow-banned
Those who sat in silence will finally take a stand
N those who do violence will feel the jailer's hand

I can't believe what we've heard and seen
Our nation's heart was beginning to heal
But now it seems all they want is blood
Now they're gonna see the Art of the Deal

What did he do? What was his crime?
That they had to take him away?
Snatched away in his prime
Because they couldn't win the debate

Charlie's army won't be slowed or stopped
In fact, it's gonna grow and pick up steam
Don't be deceived, God won't be mocked
As He exposes their wicked schemes

Charlie's army is gonna sweep the land
It'll grow, it can't be shadow-banned
Those who sat in silence will finally take a stand
N those who do violence will feel the jailer's hand

He was slayin' deep state giants, tryna tear this nation apart
We need to be brave, not be afraid of the dark
And carry Charlie's legacy deep in our hearts

Need to be brave and not be afraid of the dark
Slay the deep state giants tryna break us apart
Charlie's army won't be slowed or stopped
We need to be brave, not afraid of the dark

Charlie's army is gonna sweep the land
So get off the sidelines, and join the band

Afraid of the Dark

Lyrics
We've got rot that goes all the way to the top
In a lot of our agencies and institutions
We need more than a lot more cops
We need forgiveness and absolution

It's gone way, way too far
They're breakin' this nation apart
What we need is a change of heart
Pray grace makes a way to hit re-start

At the beginning of each new day
We need to hit our knees n pray
That Grace'll see n lead the way
N those who sleep, He'll awake

We unlocked a plot that goes all the way to the top
We don't need no half-baked solutions
This incendiary talk has got to stop
Need to stop blockin' the Constitution

It's gone way, way too far
They're breakin' this nation apart
What we need is a change of heart
Pray grace makes a way to hit re-start

At the beginning of each new day
We need to hit our knees n pray
That Grace'll see n lead the way
N those who sleep, He'll awake

It's gone way, way too far
They're breakin' this nation apart
What we need is a change of heart
Pray Grace makes a way to hit re-start
What we need is a change of heart
Pray Grace makes a way to hit re-start 

Hit Re-start

Lyrics
The holidays are on their way
Time for tinsel, wreaths and bells
Time to write those cards and take
Those decorations off the shelves

But He's the reason for the season
Not reindeer, sleighs and elves
The worst gift we could ever give
is to be wrapped up in ourselves

The holidays are coming.
Time for gifts and toys
I can hear the drumming
of the Little drummer boy

Why do I feel like running
When I should be full of joy?
I'm runnin' out of money
And my life is one big void

These days are full of stress and strife
But that's not how it has to be
The king came to bring us life
And that abundantly

We've paid too high a price
It ain't 'bout glitz and flash
Christmas without Christ
Is just a waste of cash

He's the reason for the season
Not reindeer, sleighs and elves
The worst gift we could ever give
is to be wrapped up in ourselves

Why do I feel like running
When I should be full of joy?
I'm runnin' out of money
And my life is one big void

These days are full of stress and strife
But that's not how is has to be
The king came to bring us life
And that abundantly

We've paid too high a price
It ain't 'bout glitz and flash
Christmas without Christ
Is just a waste of cash

He came and paid the price
So we'd be saved n blessed
Christmas without Christ
Would be chaos and a mess

Yes, He came n gave His life
Paid the price, passed the test
Yes, Christmas without Christ
Would be chaos and a mess

Christmas Without Christ

Fences we once sat on, have now fallen down
Princes we once spat on, have lost their crown
I hope and I pray, we change our ways soon
Cuz the dish already ran away with the spoon

Humpty Dumpty, stopped all construction of the wall
Our country's destruction has temporarily been stalled
All the kings horses and all the kings men
Can’t put this country back together again

I hope and pray they won’t keep dumbin’ us down
We’re countin’ the days til the sand runs out
He warned us in advance what these days would be like
Then we nailed His feet n hands to the tree with spikes

Jack and Jill hiked up the hill
To fetch a cup of water
Jill fell down and ripped her gown
Then Jack got up and shot her

Nursery rhymes are great and all
But this time we’ve taken a fatal fall
Humpty Dumpty tried to play defense
This country needs to pray and repent

Only the true king can bring true peace
May His kingdom come and never cease
Keep an eye out for His soon return
No doubt we'll see it all crash n burn

This is no modern day fable or fairy tale
This world will fade, His word never fails
I hope and pray this country hits its knees
And returns today to the one true king

Humpty Dumpty sat on the great wall
Lord our country has taken a fatal fall
All the kings horses and all the kings men
Can’t put this country back together again

This is no modern day fable or fairy tale
This world will fade, His word never fails
I hope and pray this country hits its knees
And returns today to the one true king 

The One True King

Who cares how long you plan to live
It’s in His hands, it’s all been heard
If you can’t love or you can’t give
He has a plan and it’s in His Word

Fear God and keep His commands
For this is the whole duty of man
So take His nail-scarred hand
and soon you'ill understand

But take heed if you stand lest you fall
Take His hand and heed His call
It rarely works out like we plan
So build’ bridges instead of walls

Now here's the crux of the matter
Pride goes before a fall
There’s nothin’ sadder than
Climbin’ a ladder that’s leanin’
Against the wrong wall

If your ship has come in
and your flag's flyin' high
Don't slip into sin
Don't be full of pride

Take heed if you stand lest you fall
Take His hand and heed His call
It rarely works out just like we plan
So build’ bridges instead of walls

Now here's the crux of the matter
Pride goes before a fall
There’s nothin’ sadder than
Climbin’ a ladder that’s leanin’
Against the wrong wall

If you’re up against the wall
Take heed if you stand lest you fall
Humble yourself and pray
And obey the Spirit’s call

Take heed if you stand lest you fall
Take His hand and heed His call
And build bridges instead of walls
Bridges instead of walls

Male baritone backed by female alto vocals
If your ship has come in
and your flag's flyin' high
Don't slip into sin
Don't be full of pride

Take heed if you stand lest you fall
Take His hand and heed His call
It rarely works out just like we plan
So build’ bridges instead of walls

Now here's the crux of the matter
Pride goes before a fall
There’s nothin’ sadder than
Climbin’ a ladder that’s leanin’
Against the wrong wall

Just make sure your heart is pure
He’ll try to lure you into his web
Don’t forget what His Word says
Stay humble and you'll be blessed

Male baritone backed by female alto vocals
Cuz pride goes before a fall
Pride goes before a fall
Pride goes before a fall 

Pride Goes Before a Fall

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!

Pride Goes Before a Fall

Stan Countz

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