Fire And Stone

© 2025 WhoaProductions – All Rights Reserved

Our paths would cross 
From time to time. 
This is a story 
Of an old friend of mine. 
A tale deep in our minds. 
The choices we make 
Seem like glimpses 
Of a picture that shines 
Becoming shadowed 
By the choices we find. 
Woven in the truth 
Shadowed by my friend 
This becomes a story 
That attempts to amend. 
I can only feel 
The sorrow of my heart 
Reaching back 
To what once was 
And the complication, 
The entrapment 
Of the shadow’s attachment. 
But, the freedom of choice 
Combined with 
Life’s gentleness 
Of a coin toss. 
It did not allow 
My mind to see 
What in fat 
Ad captured me. 
As the universe does speak, 
A message to seek 
As the mind begins 
To peak 
To the peripheral  
Of a vision 
Begging for this 
Divine recission. 
Still, not understanding 
It’s always 
Our simple decision 
Yes, the shadow 
Comes invited 
By something 
We may feel excited 
The choice is everywhere 
To live in love 
Or, to sit  
And breathe my air. 
To embrace the choice 
That brought fear 
Propagating my actions 
Pushing away 
What I held very dear 
I wish you were here –  
My friend. 
We once laughed 
And dreamed. 
But the shadowing future 
Was not clear. 
As I sit here 
With the courage to care. 
I have the power 
To free love 
From there to here 
And beyond 
The shadow’s sneer. 
A heart with no fear –  
Love that can care. 
A soul, timeless 
With the ability 
To make illusions disappear.

Old Friend of Mine

Heard the name in a stranger’s song,
Some said he was here, then gone.
Built of fire and second chances,
Left behind a trail of dances.

They say he smiled through aching bones,
Gave his light, though he walked alone.
Never asked for much, just peace,
But gave his blood so we’d be free.

He held the world with shattered hands,
Built his strength from sinking sand…

Joshua… they still whisper your name,
Like a legend caught in the pouring rain.
You gave it all, though you were barely whole,
Carried the lost, burned through your soul.
And I don’t know if you ever found home…
But damn, you never walked alone.

He loved like thunder, broke like glass,
Hid his pain behind a laugh.
Took the blows and wore the blame,
Never once forgot a name.

He’d pour his drink for the quiet ones,
Tell the moon about battles won.
But no one saw him bleed at night,
When no one watched, he’d lose the fight.

He held the world with shattered hands,
Built his strength from sinking sand…

Joshua… they still whisper your name,
Like a legend caught in the pouring rain.
You gave it all, though you were barely whole,
Carried the lost, burned through your soul.
And I don’t know if you ever found home…
But damn, you never walked alone.

There’s a man in the mirror sometimes,
Wearing your smile, your crooked lines.
And I wonder if you’re looking through —
Or maybe, you’re still walking too…

Joshua… they still whisper your name,
Through these towns, through loss and flame.
You gave your love, though your heart was torn,
A gentle storm, forever worn…

Joshua

Whiskey in the Wind

Girl From San Francisco (original version)

Whisper in My Ear. Texte Eric Verdin


You are the best worst thing I've ever had in my life...
Those long leg stockings cut me...
like a knife...
You're just as hot as you can be...
girl... you’re eggin’ me on...
Smilin’ like trouble...
and you got it all goin' on...


dancin’ on the hardwood, lights the fire in me,
I’d be the best worst thing... 
you’ve ever seen me be...
Because those long leg stockings... yeah they turn me on...
And you wear ’em like a bad girl playin’ my song.


Hey girl...
I love your stockings and the way that you move...
Rolling so smoothly...
such a sweet little groove.
I can’t look away... 
no I don’t even try...
With every little hip wag...
your moves get me high...


dancin’ with you on the hardwood...
lights the fire in me...
I’d be the best worst thing you’ve ever seen me be...
Because those long leg stockings, yeah they turn me on...
And you wear ’em like a bad girl playin’ my song...


You’re trouble in heels... and your cowboy boots.... but I can’t say no...
Every step, every sway, takes me where I shouldn’t go...
But I’m gone...
yeah I’m gone...
lost in your sway...
The best worst thing I’ll never chase away...


Dancin’ on the hardwood... 
girl you set me free...
I’d be the best worst thing you’ve ever seen me be....
Because those long leg stockings, yeah they shine like the moon...
And you’re the best worst thing that I’ll be lovin’ on... lovin' on... soon... hahahaha... come on stockings... Just give up... give up....give up... I'm swaying your way... hey hey....


Stockings

My New Album Delta Dusk & Soul will be releases on a streaming platforms November 6th. This is a sneak preview for SoundCloud only. Let me know what is your most memorable song!

It’s Just A Song

The Little Things of Christmas

[Verse 1 – male]

I said I’m done fallin’ for your midnight calls,
Swore I’d let it ring out, leave it on the wall.
But you hit my phone with that “you up?” grin,
And hell, I’m already halfway drivin’ again.
I tell myself this time’s the last—
But girl, you got a way of pullin’ me back.

[Verse 1 – female]

I told my friends I’m stronger than your sweet talk ways,
I’m better than your tailgate “baby please stay.”
But here I am hearin’ your headlights hum,
Standin’ at the door hopin’ you still come.
You say you’re done, but I know that cue—
Boy, I ain’t the only one addicted to you.

⸻

[Pre-Chorus – Together]

We swear we’re finished, but who are we kiddin’?
One little spark and we’re right where we’ve been…

⸻

[Chorus – Both (female leads line 1, male line 2)]

’Cause I go right back to you—
And I go right back to you—
Like a match to a flame, like we ain’t got a clue.
Try to walk away but what’s the use?
Yeah, I go right back to you—
And I go right back to you.
Tell our friends we’re movin’ on,
But that don’t stick, it never do…
’Cause we go right back to you.

⸻

[Verse 2 – male]

Girl, you say you’ve changed but I know that look,
That “come on in” smile always gets me hooked.
I try to be strong, try to shut that door,
But your hands on my chest make me forget what for.

[Verse 2 – female]

You swear you’re tough but you ain’t that cold,
One kiss and your whole damn story gets told.
Everybody sees what we try to hide—
We’re a wildfire we keep tryin’ to fight.

⸻

[Pre-Chorus – Together]

Talk a big game, but our hearts won’t listen,
One little touch and the whole thing glistens…

⸻

[Chorus – Both]

Yeah, I go right back to you—
And I go right back to you—
Like trouble don’t care what trouble will do.
Try to fight it, but that ain’t the truth…
I’m built to fall right back to you—
And I’m built to fall right back to you.
Tell our friends we’re movin’ on,
But that don’t stick, it never do…
’Cause we go right back to you.

⸻

[Bridge – female + male trading lines]

Female: Maybe it’s wrong but it feels so right…
Male: I end up at your door almost every damn night…
Female: If love’s a road, where else would it lead?
Male: Every damn turn keeps pullin’ me…

⸻

[Final Chorus – Both, full power]

Yeah, I go right back to you—
And I go right back to you—
Know it ain’t good but it ain’t somethin’ new.
Try to leave, but hell, we don’t do that, do we?
I go right back to you—
And I go right back to you.
Heart says stop, but it never comes true…
’Cause darlin’, truth is me and you—
We go right back to you.

Tag (Together):
Yeah… right back to you.

Right Back To You

“No Rest For The Happy II” expands the tribute to Michael T., carrying forward the same message written in his own hand: “Till the next time, old friend. Till death.”
This version leans more cinematic and emotional — a continuation of the story, a promise kept in song.
Written by Hikemike • Lonesome Doe Farm Records LLC.

No Rest For The Happy II

Stephen Ryder is a country artist with a storyteller’s heart, weaving real-life experiences into heartfelt, powerful songs. His music blends traditional country with modern influences, creating songs that speak to love, life, and the journey in between. 

With a growing catalog of music, Stephen continues to share songs that resonate with listeners, whether it’s a heartfelt ballad, a foot-stomping anthem, or a reflective tune about life’s unexpected roads. His dedication to authenticity and storytelling makes his music a perfect fit for country radio and beyond. Follow me on Spotify!  

https://open.spotify.com/artist/60jKjrPsJ9Z43m0qF60S74?si=ayZTWLy5T5udCZ1y1hhYlA