'Rescue' from Twist and Turn - The Musical by Donna Hazelton
Written by Tony Gibbs and Sandy Jones
Produced by Sandy Jones at The Foundry Music Lab

All rights reserved

Rescue performed by Donna Hazelton

The Whisperer of Reeds by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

The Whisperer of Reeds

In the stillness of the twilight, where the shadows softly creep,
A tale of the Whisperer stirs from the depths of sleep.
Like desert reeds she sways gently beneath the silver glow,
Her voice a whispered prophecy, a truth few ever know.

With hair like the golden wheat, and eyes that reflect the skies,
A guardian of the secrets that the wild wind only sighs.
She walks through gentle valleys, where the river bends and sways,
While the nightingale sings her songs of love and of the days.

Oh, call her the Whisperer, in her arms the world is still,
She breathes the ancient stories, of the forest, field, and hill.
Hushed tones of nature’s melody fill the air with grace,
As she dances with the moonlight in this sacred, timeless place.

With every sway and every turn, she feels the echoes of time,
Not the steel and fire calling out in a distant chime.
While dark clouds gather ’bove her and tempests clash and burn,
Still she whispers to the grasses, for the world will yet return.

In her heart the winds are howling, in her soul the thunder speaks,
But the gentleness of nature flows through her like river creeks.
Though shadows can be daunting, and the night may seem to reign,
She stands firm, the Whisperer, through the joy and through the pain.

Her kin may feel the tremors of the chaos drawing near,
Yet she listens to the stories that the ancient spirits hear.
In the flicker of the starlight, she can see the paths unfold,
A future painted bright with hope, amidst the tales grown old.

Oh, call her the Whisperer, in her arms the world is still,
She breathes the ancient stories, of the forest, field, and hill.
Hushed tones of nature’s melody fill the air with grace,
As she dances with the moonlight in this sacred, timeless place.

As the dawn approaches, casting gold upon her face,
She embraces all the moments, in this delicate embrace.
For like the reeds that sway and bend, she knows the strength of grace,
And though the steel and fire may come to take her kin,
The whispers of the reeds will always carry hearts within.

So sing, oh Whisperer, in your hushed and gentle tone,
For the tales of yesterday shall never stand alone.
In the echo of the shadows, in the light of morning’s glow,
May your wisdom guide the way, where the desert reeds do flow.

The Whisperer of Reeds performed by Joni Felix featuring Martin McGregor

Teddy Bear by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

Teddy Bear performed by David Brooke

Nightmares Always Win by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

Late at night when the shadows breathe,
Something’s creeping at the edge of the screen.
Could be a film I watched at half-past two,
Or the ghosts of things I thought I outgrew.

Close my eyes and I’m falling fast,
Into stories where the danger lasts.
But the curtain lifts when the light breaks in—
Still I swear that I felt cold hands on my skin…

But every fear is only borrowed,
Gone by sunrise, gone tomorrow.
Still they chase me, whispering,
“Try to run… Nightmares always win!”

Nightmares always win—
Till I turn the lights on.
Till I face the monsters
And I prove that they’re wrong.
Nightmares always win—
Till the morning breaks through.
But they fade like smoke
When I stand and push back at the truth.
Nightmares always win…
Until I win too.

Walking streets I thought I knew,
But the daylight flickers—now the sky’s gone blue.
What if dreams became real everywhere?
What if all my fears decided to play out there?

I’m wide awake but the shadows grow,
Faces rising from the undergrowth.
Every heartbeat’s pounding like a drum within—
Feels like midnight found a way to pull me back in…

But every fear is only borrowed,
Gone by sunrise, gone tomorrow.
Still they chase me, whispering,
“Try to run… Nightmares always win!”

Nightmares always win—
Till I turn the lights on.
Till I face the monsters
And I prove that they’re wrong.
Nightmares always win—
Till the morning breaks through.
But they fade like smoke
When I stand and push back at the truth.
Nightmares always win…
Until I win too.

You hear that?
Footsteps limping up the hall…
Shadows scratching on the wall…
But fear’s a trick, a midnight sin —
And nightmares only win
If you let them in.

Nightmares always win—
Till I turn the lights on.
Every demon falters
When the fear is long gone.
Nightmares always win—
Till the morning breaks through.
Nightmares always win…
Until I win too.

They vanish with the dawn,
Yeah, they vanish with the dawn…
Nightmares always win—
Until I switch the light back on.

Nightmares Always Win performed by Vikki Vee

This is Not Love by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

It’s midnight in the kitchen, and the coffee’s gone cold,
Your coat’s on the back of the chair like a story we never told.
I’m staring at the floor where our shadows used to fall,
Wondering when the space between us
Turned into a wall.

Your silence fills the room like a radio out of tune,
I keep trying to fix the static,
But the song just won’t resume.

’Cause this is not love—
It’s a habit we kept holding.
Two hands on a rope that’s slowly unfolding.
You call it forever, but we barely show up.
If this is all we’ve got,
Then this is not love.

Streetlights paint the curtains with the colour of our doubt,
We talk in measured moments, terrified to shout.
I used to think your needing me meant I was enough—
But being needed isn’t being wanted,
And that truth is tough.

I whisper to the mirror, “You can let this go,”
’Cause staying for the memories
Is the hardest “no” I know.

’Cause this is not love—
It’s a promise we keep faking.
Two hearts in a bed that’s always shaking.
You call it forever, but we barely show up.
If this is all we’ve got,
Then this is not love.

I stayed because the quiet scared me more than the pain,
I thought passion was the thunder
Hidden inside the rain.
But now I see the sunrise on the cases by the door—
I’m walking out to find a heart
That won’t make me feel unsure.

’Cause this is not love—
And I’m done pretending.
I’m choosing the truth, even if it’s an ending.
You call it forever, but we never showed up.
’Cause this is not love.
No, this is not love.

This is Not Love performed by Cadence Road

Unbreakable Pulse by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

Unbreakable Pulse

I was quiet for too long,
Played it safe, bit my tongue,
Now the mirror shows a stranger
Who’s tired of playing dumb.
You tried to write my story
In invisible ink,
But I learned how to see
What you hoped I wouldn’t think.

Now my heart’s in stereo,
Beating louder than the fear,
I’m done with fading slow —
The future starts right here.

 I’ve got that unbreakable pulse,
Running wild through the cracks and walls.
Every scar’s just proof I’m alive —
You can’t dim what refuses to fall.
Unbreakable pulse, unbreakable pulse.

Used to dance around the fire,
Just to feel a bit of heat,
Now I’m walking through the flames
Like they’re cobblestones beneath my feet.
Every “no” became a spark,
Every doubt — a neon sign,
I’m the thunder in the dark
That says the storm is mine.

No more shadows at my back,
I’m electric in my skin,
I’m the comeback you can’t track —
Watch the revolution begin.

I’ve got that unbreakable pulse,
Running wild through the wires and walls.
Every scar’s just proof I’m alive —
You can’t dim what refuses to fall.
Unbreakable pulse, unbreakable pulse.

You said I’d fade out quietly,
But you tuned into my frequency —
Every beat’s a battle cry
For the girl who refused to die.

I’ve got that unbreakable pulse,
Feel it rise as the lights explode.
Every scar’s a crown that I wear —
You can’t break what’s stronger than hope.
Unbreakable pulse… unbreakable pulse!

Keep it beating, beating slow —
Unbreakable… pulse.

Unbreakable Pulse performed by Cadence Road

Happy Funday by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

Yeah… roll out the bed, boots on the ground,
Rushden to Eton — best crew in town.
Come on then… let’s get buzzing.

Stumble out the door with a half-awake grin,
Need a little kick just to get my day in.
Follow that smell down the high street side,
Happy Funday's brewin’ up the morning pride.

Cup in my hand, and the world feels right,
Steam in the air like a neon light.
Rushden buzz with an Eton beat —
Feels like the weekend every day of the week.

“Start your day the Happy Funday way…”

Wake up, shake up, coffee in your hand,
Happy Funday's crew are like nobody in the land,
Rushden buzz, Eaton vibe on repeat,
Find your Happy Funday on any day of the week!

Got a double-shot smile and a baggy-beat bounce,
Life gets brighter with every ounce.
People in the queue say “morning, mate,”
Feels like a rave in a walking state.

From the first hot sip to the last cool drip,
Got the whole town vibin’ on a caffeine trip.
No need for Friday when the groove’s this sweet —
We’ve got Funday magic every day on the street.

Start your day the Happy Funday way…

Wake up, shake up, coffee in your hand,
Happy Fundays crew are like nobody in the land.
Rushden buzz, Eton vibe on repeat,
Find your Happy Funday on any day of the week!

Go on then — get in line, make your day…
proper Happy.

Happy Funday performed by Vikki Vee

Strangely Hopeful by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

I’ve been walking round the edges
Of the pieces left behind
All the letters I never posted
Still flicker in my mind
But tonight the sky is glowing
In a colour I can’t name
And your voice cuts through the twilight
Like it somehow knows my name

I don’t know why the fear is lighter
When you’re standing next to me
But the hurt I held for ages
Starts to loosen, starts to leave

And I’m strangely hopeful
Like the sun broke through too soon
Like a story that I thought was done
Found another truth
Yeah, I’m strangely hopeful
Didn’t think I’d feel this way
But you’re lighting up the quiet parts
I’d forgotten were awake

I was learning how to listen
To the echoes in my chest
Every promise felt like thunder
Rolling far beyond my breath
But you caught me when I stumbled
On a thought I’d tried to hide
And your patience felt like summer
In the middle of July

I don’t know why the night feels softer
When you’re breathing close to me
But the shadows I’ve been sheltering
Start to loosen, start to leave

And I’m strangely hopeful
Like the sun broke through too soon
Like a story that I thought was done
Found another truth
Yeah, I’m strangely hopeful
Didn’t think I’d feel this way
But you’re lighting up the quiet parts
I’d forgotten were awake

Maybe love is just returning
To the room we left behind
Maybe healing is a doorway
Only crossed when we feel blind
But we’re stepping into something
That feels fragile, brave, and new—
And I’m suddenly believing
What I never thought was true

Yeah, I’m strangely hopeful
Like a window opened wide
Like the night gave up its bitterness
For one soft moment of light
Oh, I’m strangely hopeful
Didn’t think I’d feel this way
But with you I see the silver thread
Running through the darkest days

I’m strangely hopeful
Strangely hopeful
And I think I’ll stay

Strangely Hopeful performed by The Willow Lanterns

Open Water by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

Sitting in a waiting room
With anxiety in my throat,
Words I never dared to speak
Tremble inside my coat.
But healing starts in whispers,
Not in loud dramatic scenes—
Sometimes bravery is quieter
Than anyone believes.

And I feel like open water,
Still but getting clearer.
Seeing my reflection
Start to look like someone stronger.
I’m learning I deserve the space
To feel and breathe and face the fear—
I’m stepping into open water here.

I sit with all my questions,
Let them settle where they land.
Some rise like restless sparrows,
Some feel heavy in my hands.
But every truth I’m learning
Comes in fragments, soft and small—
And maybe healing isn’t sudden—
Maybe it’s a gentle call.

And I feel like open water,
Still but getting clearer.
Seeing my reflection
Start to look like someone stronger.
I’m learning I deserve the space
To feel and breathe and face the fear—
I’m stepping into open water here.

Step by step,
I’m letting go of all the old unspoken rules.
Breath by breath,
I’m learning how
To give myself some room.
I’m not fixed,
But I’m not broken—
I’m unfolding like the tide.


I feel like open water,
Wider than I was before.
Every truth I dare to name
Becomes an unlocked door.
And though the waves are rough sometimes,
The shore is drawing nearer—
I’m learning how to love my life—
In open water, clearer.

Open Water performed by The Willow Lanterns

Light on the Pavement by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

I take the long way home again,
Past the windows glowing gold.
People laugh in little rooms,
And I feel half young, half old.
Your memory’s still beside me,
Like a coat I used to wear—
I hang it on the evening
And pretend it isn’t there.

But the air feels lighter
Than it did this time last year,
And every streetlamp flicker
Says I’m still standing here.

So I walk on,
Light on the pavement,
Heart rearrangin’
The shape of your name.
And I breathe in
All that I’m savin’,
Losing you slowly,
Finding myself again.
I’m not broken—
Just a little changed.

I thought the nights would drown me
In the remains of goodbye,
But silence grew around me
Like a clearing open sky.
You were all my constellations—
Now the stars feel wide and new.
Funny how the quiet
Teaches things I never knew.

And the world moves faster
Than the weight you left behind,
But every step gets softer
When I choose to make it mine.

So I walk on,
Light on the pavement,
Heart rearrangin’
The shape of your name.
And I breathe in
All that I’m savin’,
Losing you slowly,
Finding myself again.
I’m not broken—
Just a little changed.

Maybe love is something
That the leaving clarifies—
I can miss you in the morning
And still meet the sunrise.

So I walk on,
Light on the pavement,
Heart rearrangin’
The shape of your name.
And I breathe in
All that I’m savin’,
Losing you slowly,
Finding myself again.
I’m not broken—
Just a little changed.

Light on the Pavement performed by The Willow Lanterns

UK songwriter. Featured songs have been produced thanks to the talent of Cadence Road, Ryan Arthur, Donna Hazelton, Esther O'Connor, Tim O'Connor, Graeme Duffin, Sandy Jones, John Harley Weston, Kim Copeland, Erin Caldwell, Rachel Williams, Tim Buppert, Pete Dymond, Marcie Summers, Stuart Brayson, Buddy Hyatt, Jim Hyatt, Brian Fullen, Glen Duncan, Bob Britt, Wayne Killius, James Mitchell, Doug Grieves, and Ray Curtis. 

All music and lyrics © Tony Gibbs unless shown otherwise. 

2025 onwards: use of Artificial Intelligence -
Lyrics and creative direction: Tony Gibbs.

All creative work is developed through a human-led process where AI acts as a drafting partner, not a replacement. My role is to provide the emotional truth, lived experience and artistic direction. AI is used only to accelerate exploration, not to author the final point of view.

Some songs have been developed using an AI-assisted creative workflow. Every idea, story and emotional direction originates from my lived experience and/or my own imagination. AI helped me shape structure, phrasing and flow — the final voice, choices and meaning are entirely mine.

All intellectual property for the final lyrics remains with the human author.

Happy Funday performed by Vikki Vee

Tony Gibbs

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