Second Chance Road by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

We’re standin' in the kitchen, sunlight spillin’ through the blinds,
Your shirt hangin’ off one shoulder, my beating heart fallin’ out of time.
Last night we joked about forever like it wasn’t somethin’ big—
But now you’re lookin’ right at me, and I can feel the truth in it.
You say you've been afraid of love since yours turned into dust,
But girl, I’ve had my own wreck too—maybe that’s just why it’s us.

’Cause every mile we drove last night
Felt like a sign that we could get this right—

So let’s take this second chance road,
Where the past can’t weigh what the heart still holds.
Baby, we survived the storm and the cold—
Now it’s time to see where this thing goes.
If love’s the one thing we both outgrew,
Then maybe it’s the one thing we’re meant to redo.
So take my hand, don’t let it go—
Let’s see how far we get
On this second chance road.

You laugh and brush your hair back, say, “I don’t want to rush the signs,”
But your fingers slip in mine like they’ve been waiting for the right time.
We talk about the heartbreaks, all the times we almost quit,
And somehow in the telling, all the pieces seem to fit.
You say, “I’m scared of falling,” and I whisper, “So am I,”
But girl, I’d rather risk the fall than watch this moment pass us by.

’Cause every truth we shared today
Feels like a chance to wash the hurt away—

So let’s take this second chance road,
Where the past can’t weigh what the heart still holds.
Baby, we survived the storm and the cold—
Now it’s time to see where this thing goes.
If love’s the one thing we both outgrew,
Then maybe it’s the one thing we’re meant to redo.
So take my hand, don’t let it go—
Let’s see how far we get
On this second chance road.

Maybe love ain’t perfect—maybe that’s the point.
Two cracked hearts, same old coin.
If we flip it now, who knows what lands?
Maybe heads is hope, maybe tails is chance.
Either way, girl, I’ll take the ride
If it means you're here beside me tonight.

So let’s take this second chance road,
Lose the weight of the things we’ve told.
Let the sunrise write the stories we’ve yet to know,
And let our futures gently unfold.
If love came once and slipped right through,
Maybe this time it’ll stay brand new.
So take my hand—let’s go slow,
’Cause I’m ready to walk with you
Down this second chance road.

Part 3: Second Chance Road

The Way We Hold On by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

It’s been a while since that wild first ride,
Since your feet on my dash, since our hearts couldn’t hide.
Now the shoes by the door look a lot like home,
And the life that we built doesn’t feel like a loan.
Coffee cups and calendars,
All the little everyday whispers—
Funny how the smallest things
Become the ones you treasure.

And when the world gets loud outside,
You’re still the quiet place I find—

It’s in the way we hold on,
Soft but strong, steady and long,
How the years turn hard times into songs.
Love ain’t fireworks or perfect lines,
It’s the promise kept a thousand times.
Baby, we’ve come so far,
And I’m still fallin’, still in awe—
Of the way we hold on.

We’ve had nights with too much silence,
We’ve had days when we fell apart.
But every time we lost direction,
You still reached for my hand in the dark.
We learned that love is patient,
More honest than we knew—
It’s sayin’ “I’m not leaving”
Even when the sky turns blue to blue.

And every time my fear kicks in,
You’re there to let the light back in—

It’s in the way we hold on,
Soft but strong, steady and long,
How the years turn hard times into songs.
Love ain’t fireworks or perfect lines,
It’s the promise kept a thousand times.
Baby, we’ve come so far,
And I’m still fallin’, still in awe—
Of the way we hold on.

Maybe love was made for seasons—
Storms and summers, doubts and reasons.
But you’re the place I always land,
My steady heart, my second chance.
And even when the years grow tall,
You’re the one I trust through it all.

It’s in the way we hold on,
In the way we choose to stay when the night feels long.
How forgiveness turns the past to dawn.
Love’s not easy, but it’s ours—
A little fragile, mostly stars.
Baby, even when we’re old and gone,
I’ll still be grateful, still be strong—
For the way we hold on.

Part 6: The Way We Hold On (duet)

When the Road Turns Quiet by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

The sun sets slower these days,
Soft gold in all the familiar ways.
Your old sweater on the backdoor rail,
A warm reminder when the nights get pale.
We’ve driven miles through storms and grace,
But somehow ended in this sacred place—
A house of memories, brave and true,
A little world built by me and you.

And even when the shadows climb,
Your hand still reaches out for mine—

When the road turns quiet,
And the world slows down,
When the laughter fades
To a gentle sound—
I look at you
And I still find
The reason I kept tryin’
All this time.
Love isn’t loud—
It’s strong, it’s kind,
Holdin’ us steady
When the road turns quiet.

We’ve had years that shook our bones,
Tears and triumphs, shifting tones.
But every chapter, every year,
Brought us closer, kept you near.
You still hum that old song sometimes,
The one we played in our reckless prime.
I smile and think of who we were—
And how we still choose who we are.

And even when the night feels long,
Your voice still turns my fear to calm—

When the road turns quiet,
And the world slows down,
When the laughter fades
To a gentle sound—
I look at you
And I still find
The reason I kept tryin’
All this time.
Love isn’t loud—
It’s strong, it’s kind,
Holdin’ us steady
When the road turns quiet.

Maybe the journey
Was never the point—
Maybe love’s the home
We built joint by joint.
Maybe the magic
Was never the start—
Maybe it lives here
In your steady heart.

When the road turns quiet,
And the years unfold,
And the stories settle
Into tales we’ve told—
I hold your hand
And I still know:
You were my map
On every road.
Love carried us
Through fast and slow—
And I’ll love you still
When it’s time to go.
Side by side,
Soft and quiet,
We reach the end
Where the road turns quiet.

Part 7: When the Road Turns Quiet (duet)

Heartbeat Highway (reprise)  by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

I still remember that first night,
You climbin’ in with that half-smile light.
Windows down, a brand-new road,
Two tired hearts with a heavy load.
Funny how the smallest spark
Can shake the quiet in the dark—
I didn’t know it then, but true,
That drive was leadin’ me to you.

On that heartbeat highway,
Where the stars looked close
And the world felt far away—
Wind in your hair,
Your laugh in mine,
Two lost souls findin’ the same line.
No map, no plan,
Just fate on display—
Oh, love began
On that heartbeat highway.

Now years have written on our skin,
But I still feel that spark again
Every time you brush my hand
Or say my name the way you can.
We’ve seen dawns and storms and change,
But nothing made that night grow strange—
It lives inside us like a flame,
Burnin’ soft but just the same.

On that heartbeat highway,
Where something fragile
Found a place to stay—
Two hearts jumpin’,
One story born,
A promise whispered
Long before the morn’.
Whatever life brings
Come night or day—
My heart still runs
On that heartbeat highway.

Part 8: Heartbeat Highway (reprise)

Little Firecracker by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

You walk in, boom, like the Fourth of July,
Red dress, wild hair, mischief in your eye.
You toss your keys on the corner of the bar,
Like you already know you’re the brightest star.
You don’t need matches, you don’t need light,
You bring your own everywhere you go at night.
I’m just a guy tryin’ not to stare,
But you strike sparks in the summer air.

Every laugh you throw is a Roman candle,
I’m a simple heart you’re tryin’ to handle—

Girl, you’re my little firecracker,
Snappin’ off sparks every time I catch ya.
Turnin’ this night into dynamite,
Yeah, you blow my mind in the best way, right?
You light me up, boom-boom laughter—
Girl, you’re my little firecracker.

You grab my hand when the DJ hits,
Drag me to the floor where the rhythm splits.
You spin around in your torn blue jeans,
Givin’ all the stars some brand-new means.
You don’t need a script, you just improvise,
Every move you make is a new surprise.
You say, “Come on boy, don’t hold back,”
And there goes my careful heart off track.

You’re a sparkler trail in a dark sky,
Drawin’ your name on my good-bye—

’Cause girl, you’re my little firecracker,
Snappin’ off sparks every time I catch ya.
Turnin’ this night into dynamite,
Yeah, you blow my mind in the best way, right?
You light me up, boom-boom laughter—
Girl, you’re my little firecracker.

If we burn out when the night is through,
I’ll still be thankful I got lit by you.
But I got a feelin’ when the smoke is gone,
You’ll still be here turnin’ my heart on—

’Cause girl, you’re my little firecracker,
Snappin’ off sparks every time I catch ya.
Turnin’ my life into dynamite,
Yeah, you blow my mind in the best way, right?
You light me up, boom-boom laughter,
I’ll chase you ever after.
In a world full of fade-to-blackers—
You’re my little,
My forever
Firecracker.

Little Firecracker

Produced for the Rushden branch of the Royal British Legion

Never Forgotten

Shadow on my Trail by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

I’ve been running from a promise
that I made when I was young,
Swore I’d never let the darkness
overshadow what I’ve done.
But the night keeps creeping closer,
and the road feels worn and frail —
Every mile I leave behind me
still leaves a shadow on my trail.

’Cause I walk with the light,
though the dark calls my name.
I’ve lost a few battles,
but I’m still in the game.
There’s a fire in my heart
that’ll never turn pale —
I keep moving on
with the shadow on my trail.

Had a woman once who loved me,
but I loved the highway more.
Left her standing in the doorway
like a saint behind a door.
Now her memory rides beside me
in the wind and in the hail —
She’s the angel on my shoulder,
not the shadow on my trail.

Cause I walk with the light,
though the dark calls my name.
I’ve lost a few battles,
but I’m still in the game.
There’s a fire in my heart
that’ll never turn pale —
I keep moving on
with the shadow on my trail.

Some men chase redemption,
some men run from sin —
I guess I’m somewhere in the middle,
trying not to fall again.

Yeah, I walk with the light,
though the dark calls my name.
If the good Lord will guide me,
I won’t end up the same.
There’s a fire in my heart
that’ll never turn pale —
I’ll keep moving on
with the shadow on my trail.

Shadow on my Trail (tribute to Johnny Cash)

I’m Still Standin’ by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

I’ve worn shame like a shadow at noon,
Heard the devil say, “Boy, you’re through.”
But grace hit hard like a freight-train sound,
And I found my feet on holy ground -

Yeah, I’ve lost my way, I’ve paid my dues,
But I ain’t done — I’ve still got truth.

Every scar’s just proof I survived the night,
And I’m still here, still breathin’, still alive - 

HEY! — I’m still standin’!
I said — I’m still standin’!
Hands up high, yeah, I’m forgiven!
Knocked down hard, but I rose again,
By the mercy of God and the strength within.
Every doubt tried to pull me under,
But here I am — I’m still standin’!
I’m still standin’!
I’m still standin’!
Can you hear me?
I’m still standin’!

I’ve seen rock bottom look back at me,
Felt the weight of who I used to be.
But the past don’t own this heart no more,
I walked out free through a wide-open door -

When the world said “quit,” Heaven said “go,”
And that truth’s the only thing I know.

Every prayer I whispered in the dark
Lit a fire where I once fell apart—

 HEY! — I’m still standin’!
I said — I’m still standin’!
Hands up high, yeah, I’m forgiven!
Knocked down hard, but I rose again,
By the mercy of God and the strength within.
Every chain broke like distant thunder.
But here I am — I’m still standin’!
I’m still standin’!
I’m still standin’!
Can you hear me?
I’m still standin’!

I’m not who I was!
I rise because of love!

HEY! — I’m still standin’!
I said - I'm still standin'
Every breath says “hallelujah!”
I’m livin’ proof that grace wins,
And the story ain’t over till God says when.
Let the world hear the truth I’m handin’—
HEY! — I’m still standin’!
I said — I’m still standin’!
I’m still standin’!
I’m still standin’!

Can you hear me?
I’m still standin’!

I'm Still Standin'

Still Becoming Us by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

We change more than the seasons.
I still see that look in your eyes.
Every year gives another reason,
Why goodbye never crosses my mind

I’m not who I was when you met me
You’re not who you used to be
But love don’t freeze in a moment
It's forever making memories.

We’re not finished, we’re not through

We’re still becoming us
Still learning how to trust
Every scar, every promise
Teaching us to love deeper than before
If forever’s a road, we’re still catching up
But I don’t need the end
When I reach out for your hand
We’re still becoming us
Still becoming us

If the world asks who we are
Tell ’em we’re still writing it

We’re still becoming us
Still learning how to trust
Every scar, every promise
Teaching us to love deeper than before
If forever’s a road, we’re still catching up
But I don’t need the end
When I reach out for your hand
We’re still becoming us
Still becoming us

Still Becoming Us (duet)

Your Name in the Toolbox by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

I keep your name in the toolbox drawer
Right next to the nails I don’t use anymore
It’s not romantic, it’s just the truth
You were part of fixing what I broke in my youth

Now every time something rattles loose
I reach for a memory I can’t refuse

’Cause you taught me how to hold my temper
How to finish what I start
How to speak when it would’ve been easier
To keep my mouth shut and my pride up
If you ever wonder what you changed
It ain’t just love—it’s the way I’m made
Yeah, I carry your name in the toolbox
Right by the things that keep me from falling apart

There’s a scratch on the truck from that fence post day
You laughed so hard you couldn’t catch your breath to say
“Maybe slow down,” but you said it kind
Like you wanted me safe, not simply right

I lost you, yeah, I know I did
But I kept what you built in me, bit by bit

’Cause you taught me how to hold my temper
How to finish what I start
How to speak when it would’ve been easier
To keep my mouth shut and my pride up
If you ever wonder what you changed
It ain’t just love—it’s the way I’m made
Yeah, I carry your name in the toolbox
Right by the things that keep me from falling apart

Some people leave and take the good with ’em
You left and somehow left it here
So if I love somebody better someday
It’ll be partly because you were here

You taught me how to hold my temper
How to finish what I start
How to speak when it would’ve been easier
To keep my mouth shut and my pride up
If you ever wonder what you changed
It ain’t just love—it’s the way I’m made
Yeah, I carry your name in the toolbox
Right by the things that keep me from falling apart

Your Name in the Toolbox (duet)

County Line Clean Break by Tony Gibbs
All rights reserved © ℗ 2025 Tony Gibbs

I packed my boots and a coffee cup
Left the key where you’d pick it up
Didn’t write a note, didn’t make a scene
Just chose my peace over being mean

I’m not the villain, you’re not the saint
We’re just two folks that wouldn’t change

I’m taking a county line clean break
No late-night calls, no “one more” stake
No circling back like a habit I can’t shake
If you’re looking for closure, I ain’t got a speech
Just a full tank and a little relief
Yeah, I’m taking a county line clean break

Your mama liked me, your friends did too
That don’t make us bulletproof
We kept patching holes with weekend fun
Till the weeks turned heavy and the fun got done

I won’t drag your name through town
I’ll just be gone when you turn around

I’m taking a county line clean break
No late-night calls, no “one more” stake
No circling back like a habit I can’t shake
If you’re looking for closure, I ain’t got a speech
Just a full tank and a little relief
Yeah, I’m taking a county line clean break

Some good things end without a bang
Just a quiet “enough” and a different lane

I’m taking a county line clean break
No late-night calls, no “one more” stake
No circling back like a habit I can’t shake
If you’re looking for closure, I ain’t got a speech
Just a full tank and a little relief
Yeah, I’m taking a county line clean break

County Line Clean Break

UK songwriter. Featured songs have been produced thanks to the talent of 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: Lyrics, melodies and creative direction: Tony Gibbs.

Use of Artificial Intelligence:

All creative work is developed through a human-led process where AI acts as a digital tool, not a replacement. My role is to provide the emotional truth, lived experience and artistic direction through my lyrics.

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. Backing tracks created using AI. 

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

Your Name in the Toolbox (duet)

Tony Gibbs

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