Songwriter

Check out the song lyrics for WHEN IT DON’T COME EASY -

CHRIS FILER
WHEN IT DON’T COME EASY

Produced By: Dennis Dearing for Menace Music
A&R By: Wally Nason for Nason Music Group
Tracking Engineer: Randy Gardner
Recorded At: Watershed Studio
Mixed by Dennis Dearing
Mastered by Bret Teegarden for Teegarden Media

1) Joy Ride

Kevin Stokes/Bill Filer/Chris Filer

Different day with the same old way of seeing things
We think too much about all this stuff, let’s grab the keys
Turn off the phone put your Ray Ban’s on
Grab on to the wheel
And see how the blacktop feels

CHORUS

Take a joy ride leave your cares behind
As we fly by let our hopes ride high
The scent of grace in the air
Mercy blowing through our hair
We’ll take the freeway ‘cause the toll’s been paid
Chase each new day on the wheels of faith
Can’t drive fast enough, hit the gas, rev it up
Take a joy ride

It’s been a while since these miles have been a friend
Some days this road just goes around and back again
So can’t we quit trying to make sense of this
Let our hearts just run
And drive off into the sun

Sun shinin’, good times on a joy ride
Wind blowin’, we’re goin’ on a joy ride
Grab onto the wheel, see how the blacktop feels on a joy ride

2) Do The Math

Gina Boe/Lisa Qualsett/Bill Filer/Chris Filer

I was boots, buckles and rodeo
You were college bound places to go
As luck would have it you sat by me
Sure made me love geometry

Finally one day after class
Worked up the nerve and had to ask
I may not be your type at all
But here’s a problem I’d like for you to solve

CHORUS

Take one moon and two young hearts
Three little words and million stars
Forget about the odds that it will never last
Four wheel drive at 80 miles an hour
Down Route 5 to the water tower
Might add up to the best life you ever had
Come on baby do the math

That was back in ‘98
I can’t begin to calculate
The times that my heart has skipped a beat
Just because you looked at me
Now we’re counting the kids and bills
But that don’t change the way I feel
Cause our love only multiplies
It’s something real this old world can’t divide

3) When It Don’t Come Easy

Tony Wood/Danny Myrick
BMG Songs, Inc. (Gospel Division)(ASCAP)/Careers-BMG Music Publishing Inc. (Gospel Division)(BMI)

A candy apple mustang at Hot Rod Charlie’s used car lot
I knew I had to have her, ‘cause she already had my heart
So all summer long by the sweat of my brow
I bucked hay ‘til the sun went down
When I got the keys – it was time well spent -
‘Cause I finally knew what my daddy meant

CHORUS

I’ve heard it said a hundred times before
While others only dream, the winners work for their reward
So you just give it all you’ve got, ‘cause it means so much more
When it don’t come easy

I fell for Jenny Thompson, the brand new girl in town,
Everybody said her mama and dad don’t want no boys around
So I sent her mama some flowers and a card
Surprised her daddy when I mowed the yard
Jenny said, please, they said ‘yes’
Her daddy even gave us money for gas

The two of us went riding on the Fourth of July
We stood down by the river & watched the
Fireworks paint the sky
A man stood talkin’ ‘bout his purple heart
And how a million others did their part
In the name of freedom they took their stand
From the revolution to the desert sand

4) So Much Love (So Little Time)

Regie Hamm/ J. Demarcus
Social Frequency Music (SESAC) / Far Reaching Light (SESAC) Administered by Bugmusic.com

He kissed his wife and baby boy
And headed off to work
While they were waving at the door
Made a left on Route 19
Reached down for his coffee cup
And dropped his cell phone on the floor
He tried his best to make it back across the line oh,
But the first thing that went racing through his mind …

CHORUS

Blink your eyes, time will fly
And suddenly it’s gone
Everything turns on a dime
When your blessings fall, count them all and when you do you’ll find
There’s so much love so little time so little time

She took her daddy by the arm
To walk her down the aisle
And to give her hand away

And all the memories rushing in
Skinned knees and soccer games
Broken hearts and high school plays
He said “I love you baby” fighting back the tears
He just kept thinking as his mind raced through the years …

Look at all the people that you love in your life
Hold them close, don’t let go, take your time, love them right

5) Say Goodbye

Dennis Dearing/ Bill Filer/ Chris Filer
“Hey, Mr. Wilson” Music / ASCAP

It’s been a long night
The screaming was so loud
It seems all we do is fight
Can’t remember what about

I don’t want this anymore
I’ve never felt like this before
And I’m starting to believe
Maybe we should leave
We should leave

And say goodbye to this life we’re leading
Every word leaves our hearts bleeding
And wounded on the ground
Our lives turned upside down

And say goodbye to blaming each other
We need to let our hearts recover
Move selfish out the door
Welcome love a little more
So let’s make up tonight and say goodbye

Gotta find a way
Let’s learn to love and trust
Move on to better days
With what God’s planned for us

So let’s hit our knees and pray
There is no other way
Now we’re starting to believe
Maybe we should leave
We should leave
So baby hold my hand
Let’s get out while we can

6)  I Think You Know
Noah Gordon

I’ve seen lots of hearts get hurt
Those three precious little words
Were much too dangerous
For me to ever use
So I wrapped chains around my heart
Built a wall, kept up my guard
The very next thing I knew
Baby, somehow you broke through

CHORUS

I think you know
The combination to my heart
That’s how you opened up my arms
And one by one your kisses
Broke down my defenses
I think you know
A secret code, some magic touch
That sets my soul on fire because
I’m in love, gotta tell you so
Girl, even though
I think you know

Never knew quite who I was
‘Til the moment that your love
Brought out the best of
The man inside of me
Baby, you unlocked my soul
Felt your passion take control
I still can’t believe
The way you set me free

7)  The River

Kevin Stokes/ Belinda Smith

It was Sunday
The whole church was gathered
Down on the banks of the Ohio River
We were all there
For my baptizing
I took my shoes off and waded on in

And when that preacher
Was taking me under
Oh the choir was singing something like this

CHORUS:

Let the river wash over me
Let the water rise and make me clean
Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Set me free
Let the river wash over me

It’s been years now
Since that sweet morning
My soul was flooded and I came up shouting
I still go back when I get discouraged
And I need reminding of that glorious day

And when that preacher
Was taking me under
Oh my heart was singing something like this

8)  Not To The Grave (Featuring Kelly Filer)

Gina Boe/Lisa Qualsett/Bill Filer/Chris Filer

I’ve cradled the grieving
And soaked up the tears
I’ve heard vain attempts
To make up for the years
I’m a keeper of stories, row after row
If only you knew what I know

Sorry’s no good when you’re standing alone
Begging forgiveness from a name carved in stone
Speak all the words you’ve been dying to say
They belong to the living and not to the grave

A father’s neglect
That can’t be undone
The shame and regret
Of a prodigal son
Seeking a pardon they come and they go
I listen, but can’t offer hope

If the hurt runs deep
Let love run deeper still
Make your apologies, don’t wait
Don’t wait until…

9)  Independence Day

Belinda Smith/Bill Filer/Chris Filer

Big tent Wal-Mart parking lot
I’m 13 in Crazy Mike’s fireworks spot
And it’s the 4th of July
Some say Mike changed in the war
Since he’s back his mind’s not the same anymore
But he’s still a good guy

But something happens around this time of year
His voice is strong, and his words are clear

CHORUS: He talks about freedom, sacrifice
The kind of love it takes for one to give his life
A hero, and the price he paid
He’s so grateful to be saved
On Independence Day

Same tent, same old parking lot
It’s 20 years and back at Mike’s fireworks spot
And it’s the same story
Well maybe I’m just older now
But maybe old Mike is really talking about
A different kind of free

Cause there’s a worn out Bible in his hands
And listening now I understand

Every time I hear that sound
Or see the lights fill up the sky
I think of why

We talk about freedom, sacrifice
The kind of love it takes for one to give His life
A hero and the price He paid
I’m so grateful to be saved
On Independence Day

10)  You Are

Noah Gordon

You’re not just someone that I
Think about from time to time
Girl you’re on my mind
A lot non-stop
You’re not just a picture on my wall
Not just someone that I call
Right before I fall asleep baby

CHORUS

You are the song that’s playing in my head
The best book I’ve ever read
And all the passion that exists in every kiss
You are the little whisper in my ear
That says the things I love to hear
It’s obvious who’s in my heart
You are

You’re more than just someone I see
When I need some company
I want you with me
A lot non-stop
You’re more than words could ever say
More than a poet could convey
But I’ll try anyway just so you’ll know