I was Good Where I Was

Beer Drinking Cowgirl

Breathing

Love Is Not A Feeling

The Better Man

The Calm

Open Eyes

Borrowed Time

Flowers

A heartfelt song about understanding what trauma can push people to. You may think you understand the damage that drives a person to act the way they do. There is something in all of us we keep to ourselves we all are damaged but still worthy of being loved.. 

A New Story

Savannah"s Eyes

Savannah's Eyes

Don't Cry For Me

Paradise

[Verse 1]  
You say you love the lost, but you don’t take the calls,  
I knocked, I bled, I told it all.  
You smiled like you meant it, then backed away slow,  
Like my pain was somethin’ you didn’t wanna know.  

I ain’t beggin’ for a pulpit or a stage,  
Just someone who won’t run when the truth turns gray.  
You sing about grace like it don’t get stained,  
But I found it in the ashes callin’ my name.  

[Chorus]  
You preach it ’til it’s pretty,  
You post it ’til it sells,  
But when a man walks outta Heaven,  
You leave him by himself.  
You talk about revival,  
But you don’t know how it feels —  
Don’t say you believe in fire  
If you won’t preach it ’til it’s real.  

[Verse 2]  
You got a verse on a post-it by your desk,  
But you can’t look me in the eyes when I confess.  
Said your God saves, said your door’s open wide,  
But I watched you lock it when I stepped inside.  

I came back burned but breathin’ air,  
With a heart still beatin’ and a thousand prayers.  
I ain’t here to fit your mold,  
I’m here ’cause love wouldn’t let me go.  

[Chorus]  
You preach it ’til it’s pretty,  
You post it ’til it trends,  
But when a man walks outta Heaven,  
You don’t call, you just pretend.  
You shout about the miracles,  
Then ghost the ones who heal —  
Don’t say you believe in fire  
If you won’t preach it ’til it’s real.  

[Bridge]  
One breath from gone, one foot from grace,  
You’d think that would change a man’s face.  
But truth cuts deep, peace comes slow,  
So I’ll sing it loud — even if I stand alone.  

[Final Chorus]  
You preach it ’til it’s polished,  
You quote it with a grin,  
But when the grave lost its grip on me,  
I saw where grace begins.  
You talk about the Spirit,  
Now I know how it feels —  
Love don’t hide from the broken,  
It heals us ’til it’s real.  

[Outro]  
Don’t preach it — unless you mean it.  
Real.

Preach It 'Till It's Pretty

What Are You Listening To? - Chris Stapleton Cover

Fallen

[Verse 1]
Got a picture of my daddy,
Worn soft around the sides.
He taught me how to stand my ground,
Not how to quiet my mind.
There’s a lighter from my wild years,
Still half-full of gasoline—
Some memories spark too easy,
Some don’t ever come out clean.

[Pre-Chorus]
I don’t talk about it much—
But it’s the weight behind my touch…

[Chorus]
These are the things I carry—
The ones that made me, broke me, saved me.
Every mile on this heart’s old tread
Comes from folks who tried to change me.
I ain’t proud of every story,
But they’re the truth that lives inside me…
Yeah, love me right and you’ll still find
The things I carry.

[Verse 2]
There’s a little bit of anger
I keep buried in my chest.
Shows up when I’m worn down—
Reminds me what’s still left.
Got a prayer I stole from Mama,
Got a fear I learned alone…
Funny how the same two hands
Build a life or throw a stone.

[Pre-Chorus]
Still learnin’ how to choose
What to keep and what to lose…

[Chorus]
These are the things I carry—
The ones that shaped me, pushed me, dared me.
If I hold on hard or love too long,
It’s ’cause someone tried to spare me.
I ain’t proud of every story,
But they ride along beside me…
Yeah, walk with me and you’ll still feel
The things I carry.

[Bridge]
One day I’ll lay ’em down—
Find a little peace somehow.
But ’til that day, just understand…
I’m doin’ the best I can.

[Final Chorus]
These are the things I carry—
Not excuses, just what made me.
If you stay, I’ll share the load
Of all the ghosts that chase me daily.
I ain’t proud of every chapter,
But if you want the whole story…
Come close and I’ll let you hold
The things I carry.


The Things I Carry

I’m JD Hodge — Oklahoma-born, red dirt-raised, and songwriting for over 30 years.

In 2024, I flatlined on an operating table. Cardiac arrest. Everything changed.

When I came back, the words came with me — like they’d been waiting their turn. Since then, the songs haven’t stopped. I write what’s real: struggle, hope, grit, and grace — stories meant to be felt.

You’ll hear pieces of my past, my people, and the kind of heartland truth you can’t fake. These songs aren’t just mine — they’re for anyone who’s fought through silence and still found a voice.

Retired • Lyricist • Country • Americana • Acoustic Soul
Oklahoma, USA

New tracks tagged #chrisstapleton