Lori Snyder

V1
She sat down at that table
Each year around harvest time
While the sun lit up those wheat fields
Sound of tractors passing by

She’d start every letter with
I hope this finds you well
Not even sure if you’ll read this
Might bring ya peace or hurt like hell

Pre:
I can’t imagine the pain that you felt on the day that he died, bet you took it hard
Want you to know that he’s so much more than a number on a donor card

Chorus 1
Because of your son, my husband gets up every morning
He breathes the air, thanks the Lord for what he did for him
He tills the ground, he plants the seeds; there’s mouths in town that he helps feed
Every day he lives it right
Signed, Love, the farmer’s wife

V2
She wrote as if she knew her
She didn't even know her name
She go on & on bout dry summers & hard, hard rains
Sometimes a tear would fall down land right on that page
When she wrote, she’s thankful for the sacrifice he made
And she’d say

Chorus 2
Because of your son, my husband gets up every morning
He breathes the air, thanks the Lord for what he did for him
He tills the ground, He plants his seeds; their mouths in town that he helps feed
And he lives a good, good life
Signed, Love, the farmer’s wife

Bridge
She’d say a thank you ain’t enough
This gift of life cost you so much
But

Chorus 3
Because of your son, my husband gets up every morning
He breathes the air, thanks the Lord for what he did for him
He tills the ground, He plants the seeds; there’s mouths in town that he helps feed
And he lives a good, good life
Signed, Love, the farmer’s wife
Love, the farmer's wife

August 14, Nashville, TN (Original Demos in Guitar and Piano were made)

Written by Lori Unruh Snyder
June 25, 2025

[Verse 1]
He brought me home in ’89,
And I knew that family was meant to be mine.
He carried me with all his pride,
I knew I was meant to be in his life.

Before the daylight, he’d reach for me,
I’d be waiting patiently.
His boots hit the floor, his old coat went on,
Even the dogs knew we’d be out before long.

Out where the marsh met the morning sky,
He’d whisper, “Here they come,” and raise me high.

[Chorus]
I was his Remington Eight-Seventy,
More than walnut, more than steel.
I knew his hands, I knew his heart,
I knew the way his warm breath feels.

From frozen marshes to autumn dove skies,
I rode beside him through his life.
If you knew him, then you knew me—
I was his Eight-Seventy.

[Verse 2]
Little boots stood beside his own,
Learning every muddy place we’d roam.
If the ducks weren’t flying, we’d stay,
Watching all the wildlife out on the bay.

Some days we brought a story home,
Some days we let the whole world go.
Mud on his coat, frost on his sleeves,
Those were the mornings he gave to me.

[Chorus]
I was his Remington Eight-Seventy,
More than walnut, more than steel.
I knew his hands, I knew his heart,
I knew the way his warm breath feels.

From frozen marshes to autumn dove skies,
I rode beside him through his life.
If you knew him, then you knew me—
I was his Eight-Seventy.

[Bridge]
There’s one story I still hold,
The day the marsh ice gave out below.
The water went black, no turning back
but he held on with all his will.
Hands blue, but he didn’t let go,
Till help came through
He saved my life, I saved his too—
That’s what love like his can do.

[Final Chorus]
I was his Remington Eight-Seventy,
More than walnut, more than steel.
I carried every memory
I am his legacy
Part of his family tree
If you knew him, then you knew me—
I was his Eight-Seventy.

[Outro]
I’m still his Eight-Seventy.

That No!
Lori Unruh Snyder October 2025

[Verse 1]
They slammed doors in my face,
Said, “You ain’t ready for this race.”
They tried to scratch off my name
Before I ever staked my claim.

I dug my boots in this ground,
Dug deeper when they counted me out.
Kept putting pen to paper
Till my words were read out loud.

[Pre-Chorus ]
’Cause that “no” that shut me down
Became “That no one’s ever done”

And that “no” that turned me ’round
Led me to that nowhere,
no one’s ever gone.

[Chorus]
No map, no copilot,
Just faith and gasoline.
Every “no” became a spark
That lit a fire in me.

No road laid out before me,
Just knowing I could
But every stone they threw at me
Built this road I’m riding on.

[Verse 2]
They never stood where I was standing,
Felt that burn beneath my skin.
They walked away cold as concrete,
Never knew the fight I was in.

I could’ve buckled like a tin roof,
Could’ve folded into two.
But I dug my heels in deeper
And did what they said I couldn’t do.

[Pre-Chorus]
’Cause that “no” that shut me down
Became “That no, one’s ever done”

And that “no” that turned me ’round
Led me to that nowhere,
no one’s ever gone.

[Chorus]
No map, no copilot,
Just faith and gasoline.
Every “no” became a spark
That lit a fire in me.

No road laid out before me,
Just knowing I could
But every stone they threw at me
Built this road I’m riding on.

[Bridge]
Every hand that helped me
Helped me go a little faster each day
And every “yes” became the mile marker
Leading where I stand today.

[Final Chorus]
No map, no copilot,
Just faith and gasoline.
Every “no” became a spark
That lit a fire in me.

No road laid out before me,
Just knowing I could
But every stone they threw at me
Built this road I’m riding on.

[Outro]
I’m riding on,
Still riding on

V1
She sat down at that table
Each year around harvest time
While the sun lit up those wheat fields
Sound of tractors passing by

She’d start every letter with
I hope this finds you well
Not even sure if you’ll read this
Might bring ya peace or hurt like hell

Pre:
I can’t imagine the pain that you felt on the day that he died, bet you took it hard
Want you to know that he’s so much more than a number on a donor card

Chorus 1
Because of your son, my husband gets up every morning
He breathes the air, thanks the Lord for what he did for him
He tills the ground, he plants the seeds; there’s mouths in town that he helps feed
Every day he lives it right
Signed, Love, the farmer’s wife

V2
She wrote as if she knew her
She didn't even know her name
She go on & on bout dry summers & hard, hard rains
Sometimes a tear would fall down land right on that page
When she wrote, she’s thankful for the sacrifice he made
And she’d say

Chorus 2
Because of your son, my husband gets up every morning
He breathes the air, thanks the Lord for what he did for him
He tills the ground, He plants his seeds; their mouths in town that he helps feed
And he lives a good, good life
Signed, Love, the farmer’s wife

Bridge
She’d say a thank you ain’t enough
This gift of life cost you so much
But

Chorus 3
Because of your son, my husband gets up every morning
He breathes the air, thanks the Lord for what he did for him
He tills the ground, He plants the seeds; there’s mouths in town that he helps feed
And he lives a good, good life
Signed, Love, the farmer’s wife
Love, the farmer's wife

[Verse 1]
He tracked mud on my clean floor,
Said, “Now ya know I’m yours for sure.”
His boots are sittin’ under my bed,
And I can’t get him out of my head.
Just when I thought I was over him
He carved our initials on my Tupperware lids
He liked my fast talk; I liked his ways—
Neither saw forever in those early days.

[Pre-Chorus]
Hey, hey, hey, hey—hey now!

[Chorus]
He wears his camo Crocs, calls it style,
Struts like GQ down the Walmart aisle.
Won’t wear a tie, no matter the day—
Those calloused hands are his résumé.
I say “you guys”; he says “all y’all,”
Calls me “darlin’” in a low, slow drawl.
I don’t get half the things he does,
But somehow, he’s the Southern relic I love.
Whoo- whoooo

[Verse 2]
I asked for salmon by candlelight;
He packed two poles—“They’re bitin’ tonight.”
We didn’t catch supper, but we talked till ten;
By the next weekend, I was back again.
All summer long, every line we cast
Pulled two different worlds together fast.
One sunset, he dropped to one knee—
We caught no fish, but he landed me.

[Pre-Chorus]
Hey, hey, hey, hey—hey now!

[Chorus]
He wears his camo Crocs, calls it style,
Struts like GQ down the Walmart aisle.
Won’t wear a tie, no matter the day—
Those calloused hands are his résumé.
I say “you guys”; he says “all y’all,”
Calls me “darlin’” in a low, slow drawl.
I don’t get half the things he does,
But somehow, he’s the Southern relic I love.

[Verse 3]
He calls the couch his “thinkin’ chair,”
Then snores so loud he shakes the air.
He won’t wash a dish that’s a guarantee,
But one “yes, ma’am” makes my knees weak.
He writes love notes on paper plates
Oh, he’s definitely my soulmate
Some girls get roses; he gives me cotton,
'Cause it lasts longer; it won’t be forgotten.

[Bridge]
That’s why I said yes—there wasn’t any doubt;
I knew what that man’s heart was all about.
Every odd little thing just added up—

[Outro]
I used to say “you guys”; now I say “all y’all,”
Still melt when he calls me “darlin’” in a low, slow drawl.
I still don’t get half the things he does,
But somehow, he’s the Southern relic I love.

[Intro — Four bars; warm piano, acoustic guitar, soft strings; establish a gentle swing]

[Verse 1]
You stepped out in that dress in dazzling blue
I lost my words just lookin’ at you
You took my arm and stole a kiss
Said, “We oughta go out more like this”

[Pre-Chorus]
Let’s take the long way home
Find a place where we can be alone
One more kiss, then maybe two—

[Chorus]
Girl, I never get enough of you
There ain’t a minute wasted
With your hand right here in mine
If life’s gonna go this fast
Let’s take our own sweet time

[Tag soft saxophone answers between lines]
Our own sweet time
Our own sweet time

[Verse 2]
Leave your shoes by the kitchen door
I want to spin you once across the floor
When the music stops, I’m gonna hold you close
You hum the part you love the most
We keep swayin’, your head on my chest
Still got some night we ain’t spent yet

[Pre-Chorus]
There’s nowhere else we need to be
Come a little closer here to me
One more kiss, then another or two—

[Chorus]
Girl, I never get enough of you
There ain’t a minute wasted
With your hand right here in mine
If life’s gonna go this fast
Let’s take our own sweet time

[Bridge]
Leave that last light burnin’ low
Come a little closer, nice and slow
Don’t let the hands of that clock hold you back
’Cause it ain’t the one here holdin’ you

[Instrumental Turnaround — Short, lyrical saxophone solo; strings enter, then brushed drums and full ensemble]

[Final Chorus]
Girl, I never get enough of you
There ain’t a minute wasted
With your hand right here in mine
If life’s gonna go this fast
Let’s take our own sweet time

[Outro]
One more kiss, then another or two
Girl, I never get enough of you
Our own sweet time
Let’s take our own sweet time

Taking Back What’s Mine
Written by Lori Unruh Snyder
September 1, 2026

[Verse 1]
You came on charming, talked real smooth,
Had a way of making lies sound true.
You gave me just enough to stay,
Then blamed your past when you pulled away.
I poured a little mercy
Where somebody left you bruised.
Thought we were building something—
Turns out I was being used.

[Verse 2]
Somewhere between forgiving
And trying one more time,
I stopped saying what I needed,
Kept pretending I was fine.
I believed I was the difference,
Like I could love you back to life.
But some men take your healing
And leave you hurting twice.
Then I heard you tell my ideas,
Watched you smile and take a bow.
You never said who wrote them—
Well, I’m not staying quiet now.

[Pre-Chorus]
Let’s see who you’re gonna be
When you don’t get any more of me.

[Final Chorus]
You can’t keep what you stole,
I checked the tag, that’s mine.
My heart, my words, my best ideas,
The dreams I put aside.
You can call it inspiration,
I call it crossing lines.
You can’t keep what you stole,
I’m taking back what’s mine.

[Bridge]
I’m not saying I don’t forgive you,
Or that I wish you bad.
But I’m done calling this a friendship
Just to save what we once had.
You can give it your own ending,
Say that makes it something new,
But if it started in my soul,
It don’t belong to you.

[Pre-Chorus]
Let’s see who you’re gonna be
When you don’t get any more of me.

[Final Chorus]
You can’t keep what you stole,
I checked the tag, that’s mine.
My heart, my words, my best ideas,
The dreams I put aside.
You can call it inspiration,
I call it crossing lines.
You can’t keep what you stole,
I’m taking back what’s mine.

[Outro]
I don’t need to get even—
I’m just done with you.

[Verse 1]
Granddad hid it
Dad learned it
I grew up
And I lived it
“Just stay strong
Nothing’s wrong”
Hold it in
Keep movin’ on

[Chorus]
I’m supposed to be strong
Act like nothin’s wrong
But I need to let it go
Say the things nobody knows
I’m tired of sayin’, “I’m alright”
And keepin’ everything inside
I just need someone to talk to
Why’s that so taboo?

[Verse 2]
Someday, son
When you’re here
You can tell me
What you fear
You won’t have to
Say, “I’m fine”
Like I’ve done a million times

[Chorus]
You can be strong
And say somethin’s wrong
You can let it go
Say the things nobody knows
You don’t have to say, “I’m alright”
And keep everything inside
You’ll have someone to talk to
It won’t be taboo

[Bridge]
But I can’t tell you
To let it out
If I won’t say
What hurts right now
So I’ll start here
Tell someone the truth
Learn to ask for help
Before I’m raisin’ you
Learn to ask for help
Before I’m raisin’ you

[Final Chorus]
We can be strong
And say somethin’s wrong
We can let it go
Say the things nobody knows
We don’t have to say, “I’m alright”
And keep everything inside
Son, I’ll listen to you
Cause it’s no longer taboo

[Outro]
It stops here
It stops with me
You won’t have to
Hide like me

Jon Boat with My Dad
Written by Lori Unruh Snyder and Lance Carpenter
March 5 2025

[Verse 1]
Daddy was up before the crack of dawn
Ready to go with his boots on
But one Sunday mornin’, to my surprise,
He pointed to that sapphire sky—
“That kind of blue ain’t for puttin’ up hay…
It’s a fishin’ kind of perfect day.”
I grabbed the poles, and he called the dog,
We’re off to Taylor’s Bridge, y’all.

[Chorus]
Muddy boot mornings down by the coast,
Salt in the air where the cattails grow.
Breeze rollin’ in with the risin’ tide,
Mother Nature knows how to paint paradise.
He said “Heaven’s right here, it’s a hella of a view.
There’s nothin’ else I’d rather do.”
Oh, the sweetest days I ever had…
Were on a jon boat with my dad.

[Verse 2]
When I turned fifteen, he let me take the lead—
Hands on the wheel, in the driver’s seat.
We got to the blind, mist hangin’ low,
We put the anchor down where the decoys go.
He left the dog with me had to feed the cows.
The wild teal flew the sky blacked out.
Dad came back, saw that I got two
Said, “Little June, I’m proud of you.”

[Chorus]
Muddy boot mornings down by the coast,
Salt in the air where the cattails grow.
Breeze rollin’ in with the risin’ tide,
Mother Nature knows how to paint paradise.
“Heaven’s right here, it’s a hella of a view.
There’s nothin’ else I’d rather do.”
Oh, the sweetest days I ever had…
We’re on a jon boat with my dad.

[Bridge]
Today the sky ain’t the only thing that’s blue,
Lookin’ down from heaven—bet it’s a hell of a view.

[Chorus]
Muddy boot mornings down by the coast,
Salt in the air where the cattails grow.
Breeze rollin’ in with the risin’ tide,
I give anything to have you by my side
Looking up to heaven it’s a hell of view
Chester sure been missin’ you.
I thank God for all the time we had,
Just never dreamed that ride would be my last
On a jon boat with my dad.

BLUE RIBBON PRIDE
March 20, 2026
Written by Lori Unruh Snyder

[Verse 1 – Lead]
Daddy brought his finest bales
Beneath the fairground lights,
Brushed the dust off the entry card
And tied the twine just right.
When they pinned the blue beside his name,
I watched him smile and say,
“The prize is knowing you gave your best,
Not what you take away.”

[Chorus – Both]
It ain’t what hangs on a wall;
It’s who you are when no one’s watching
And how you take a fall.
It’s looking in the mirror,
Knowing you did right.
It’s putting your name on something
You’re proud to stand behind.
You don’t need a ribbon
To have blue ribbon pride.

[Verse 2 – Lead]
My boy came home from baseball,
Dropped his glove beside the door.
Said, “I gave it everything I had,
But I couldn’t change the score.”
I told him ’bout his granddad,
Watched the hurt leave his eyes:
“The score may tell you who won, son,
But not how hard you tried.”

[Chorus – Both]
It ain’t what hangs on a wall;
It’s who you are when no one’s watching
And how you take a fall.
It’s looking in the mirror,
Knowing you did right.
It’s putting your name on something
You’re proud to stand behind.
You don’t need a ribbon
To have blue ribbon pride.

[Bridge – Harmony Builds]
No judge can ever give it,
No loss can take it away.
It’s the best of those who raised us
Still at work in us today.

[Final Chorus – Both, Full Harmony]
Ain’t what hangs on a wall;
It’s who you are when no one’s watching
And how you take a fall.
It’s looking in the mirror,
Knowing you did right.
It’s putting your name on something
You’re proud to stand behind.
You don’t need a ribbon
To have blue ribbon pride.

[Tag]
Win or lose, you carry it inside—
That blue ribbon pride.

“Here We Go”
Writers: Lori Unruh Snyder, Keesy Timmer 4-16-2026

VERSE 1
Oh—I got some ramble in my soul
Green means gas just push on down the road

I'm proud to say I’m built this way
I’ll chase the sunrise, runnin’
I’ll climb the hill, go the extra miles
So I ain’t always wonderin’

CHORUS
So Let's go, go where the wild wind blows
Leave a Dusty trail down some ol’ back roads
Go all out, girl, it never gets old
Our stories out there waitin’ to be told

We’ll let go of what’s weighing us down
Then go to town when the sun goes down
All systems go, don’t say no
Baby, hold on — here we go

VERSE 2
We can go out west
Where the water’s crystal clear
We can go right now
Leap, and the net will appear

Go lay under stars, get deep in the heart
Go a little crazy, whatcha say, baby

CHORUS
Let's go, go where the wild wind blows
Leave a Dusty trail down some ol’ back roads
Go all out, girl, it never gets old
Our stories out there waitin’ to be told

We’ll let go of what is weighing us down
Then go to town when the sun goes down
All systems go, don’t say no
Baby, hold on — here we go

BRIDGE
Sometimes you just go through life
Sometimes it all feels right

CHORUS
Let's go, go where the wild wind blows
Leave a Dusty trail down some ol’ back roads
Go all out, girl, it never gets old
Our stories out there waitin’ to be told

We’ll let go of what is weighing us down
Then go to town when the sun goes down
All systems go, don’t say no
Baby, hold on — here we go

(c) April 16, 2026

[Verse 1]
He fell for my ponytail and farmer’s tan
Said, “Girl, I wanna be your man”
He called every cow a big ol’ bull
Bless his heart, I had my hands full
First date, he tried to back my trailer straight
Spent half the evenin’ blockin’ the gate
I kept hollerin’, “Left—no, right!”
He grinned and said, “See ya tomorrow night?”

[Chorus]
He’s gettin’ dirt on his boots, grease on his jeans
Learnin’ what “one more chore” really means
Love ain’t all kisses on a Saturday night
Sometimes it’s “Baby, hold that light”
He ain’t there yet, but he’s doin’ just fine
I’m makin’ a farm boy outta that man of mine

[Verse 2]
I taught him “we” means he holds the gate
And “one more chore” means date night waits
He used to sleep till the mornin’ was gone
Now he’s got the coffee on before dawn
Backs that trailer right into the shed
Feeds those calves before I’m outta bed
Leaves his work gloves by the kitchen door
Says, “What’s next?” instead of “How much more?”

[Chorus]
He’s gettin’ dirt on his boots, grease on his jeans
Learnin’ what “one more chore” really means
Love ain’t all kisses on a Saturday night
Sometimes it’s “Baby, hold that light”
He ain’t there yet, but he’s doin’ just fine
I’m makin’ a farm boy outta that man of mine

[Bridge]
He knelt by the barn with a ring in his hand
Said, “I’m puttin’ down roots right here on this land
I know what I’m marryin’ into
I want this life, and I want you”

[Final Chorus – Full Band]
He’s got dirt on his boots, grease on his jeans
Knows just what “one more chore” really means
Love ain’t all kisses on a Saturday night
Sometimes it’s “Baby, hold that light”
Look at him now—he’s doin’ just fine
I made a farm boy outta that man of mine

[Tag]
Yeah, that man of mine
He’s a farm boy, alright

One Day into Day One
Written by Lori Unruh Snyder
September 12, 2026

[Verse 1]
Same old alarm, same old snooze,
Same old someday, same excuse.
“Next week, next month, when things slow down”—
Funny how that day never comes around.
Been sayin’ “soon” since who knows when,
Caught myself sayin’ it again.

[Pre-Chorus]
Got a long list of meant-to-do’s,
Today I’m makin’ time for a few.

[Chorus]
I’m turnin’ one day into day one,
Look out, life, here I come.
Right here, right now, ready or not,
Gonna live a little more with the time I’ve got.
A little less gonna, a little more go,
A little less someday, a little more let’s roll.
No more waitin’ till the work is done—
I’m turnin’ one day into day one.

[Verse 2]
Called an old friend, heard, “Where you been?”
An hour on his porch, we were kids again.
He pulled out a picture of my first Chevrolet,
We laughed till we cried at the trouble we made.
Said, “Next time, I won’t wait so long,”
Made plans for Sunday before I headed home.
[Pre-Chorus]
Been sayin’ “one of these days”—
Well, today’s one of those days.

[Chorus]
I’m turnin’ one day into day one,
Look out, life, here I come.
Right here, right now, ready or not,
Gonna live a little more with the time I’ve got.
A little less gonna, a little more go,
A little less someday, a little more let’s roll.
No more waitin’ till the work is done—
I’m turnin’ one day into day one.

[Bridge]
I can’t get back the years that flew right by,
But I’ve still got a few things left to try.
I don’t need every answer, just a place to start,
Still got a little fire in this heart.
[Breakdown — Solo Vocal, Band Hits]
Ready or not!
Just gettin’ started—
With what I’ve got!

[Final Chorus]
I’m turnin’ one day into day one,
Look out, life, here I come.
Right here, right now, ready or not,
Gonna live a little more with the time I’ve got.
A little less gonna, a little more go,
A little less someday, a little more let’s roll.
No more waitin’ till the work is done—
I’m turnin’ one day into day one.

[Tag]
Got a long list of meant-to-do’s,
Today I’m makin’ time for a few.
No more waitin’ till the work is done—
I’m turnin’ one day into day one.

[Verse 1]
I'm a little seed a big machine
Plants me in the ground
I feel the raindrops falling
Oh, but I can't hear a sound
It's cold and dark and lonely
But Mother Earth, she holds me
They call me cotton

[Verse 2]
As my roots take hold, my fragile leaves
Push up through the dirt
For a little thing like me, this growing up's
A lot of work
Seven days and nights till I see that big blue sky
They call me cotton

[Chorus]
I might be the shirt you bought first time you saw the Grateful Dead
Or the case around your pillow where you lay your sleepy head
Might be the rope that holds the tire swing on the live oak tree out back
Or that home run ball you caught in Wrigley Field with your dad
I'm a million memories that won't be forgotten
And a million more to come, they call me cotton

[Verse 3]
All grown up, my friends and I now
Color these fields white
The easy part is over, tomorrow's harvest time
I'll be picked and torn apart
Then my new journey will start
They call me cotton

[Chorus]
I might be the shirt you buy first time you visit Myrtle Beach
Or the paper where your daughter draws a family masterpiece
I might be the long white dress you're in, dancing with your dad
Woven in the beaties, worn on a soldier's back
I'm a million memories that won't be forgotten
And a million more to come, they call me cotton

[Bridge]
Future generations, I need you to understand
A seed is not the only thing I am
I'm in every thread of pride waving in your nation's flag
I'm the handkerchief that catches all your tears when you get sad
I'm the denim in your jacket, I'm the Bible that you read
I'm the blanket round your baby as you're rockin' him to sleep
I'm a million memories that won't be forgotten
And a million more to come, they call me cotton

[Outro]
A million memories never forgotten
And a million more to come
They call me cotton

[Intro — piano]

[Verse 1]
You let me down again
It’s time to say goodbye

[Melodic lift]
I’ve still got so much life to live
And I still have some love to give

[Refrain]
I’ll be fine

[Piano interlude]

[Verse 2]
I won’t wait by the phone
For you to change your mind

[Melodic lift]
There’s still so much I want to see
I’m finding my way back to me

[Refrain — more certain]
I’ll be fine

[Instrumental]

[Final vocal]
I’ve still got so much life to live
And I still have some love to give

I’ll be fine

[Outro]
I’ll be fine

[Piano ending]