Run Rose Run(104)
When the last notes ended, Ruthanna stepped forward and bowed gracefully. “It’s been so good to be with you tonight,” she said to the cheering crowd. “So good, in fact, that I might just have to do it again soon. But right now I’m going to let my little friend here take over.” Then she giggled. “Whoops. I’m really not supposed to call her little.”
Ruthanna blew her a kiss as she exited the stage. And AnnieLee, alone beneath those hot, bright lights, felt a sudden and exhilarating sense of gratitude—and determination.
She hadn’t planned on speaking, but the words came almost unbidden, and they came from her heart. “My name isn’t actually AnnieLee Keyes,” she said. “Even though that’s the name on my album, and it’s what you’ve all gotten used to calling me. My real name is Rose McCord. And I want you to know that it’s taken more than a handful of miracles for me to be here—and to even be alive. As long as I live, I will never, ever stop being grateful for this moment, and for every sweet, free breath I take.”
She glanced to the side of the stage, where Ethan, Ruthanna, and Jack were waiting for her to join them when she was finished. “I owe a lot of my success to my manager, Jack Holm. And I owe much more than that to Ruthanna Ryder—you all know her! But I also owe my life—and my happiness—to someone you don’t know. His name is Ethan Blake.” Then she held up her left hand, where a small, bright diamond sparkled on her third finger. “I figure you might get to know him, though, because unlike my fancy earrings, this isn’t a loaner.” She laughed in giddy amazement. “You guys, this has been a wild, wild ride. Anyway, enough of me talking. Let’s play some music.”
A stagehand ran out and handed her her guitar, and she looped the strap over her neck, relishing the instrument’s cool, familiar weight. She strummed the opening chords, and then Rose McCord did what she was born to do.
She sang.
Dark night, bright future
I’m on my way, I start today
I’m gonna be all right
Dark night, bright future
It’s darkest just before the light
And though it’s been a long dark night
Blue sky on the other side
Songbook
All song lyrics copyright ? 2021 Song-A-Billy Music.
All rights administered by Sony Music Publishing (US) LLC,
424 Church Street, Suite 1200, Nashville, TN 37219.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Songs by Rose McCord
Run
Intro:
Run-run-run, a-run-run
Run-run-run, a-run-run
Run-run, run-run, run
Verse one:
When you find yourself in a mess of trouble
Trapped amongst the trash and rubble
Prayin’ for relief but gettin’ none
You wanna start your life anew
You just don’t know exactly how to
Find your opportunity and run
First chorus:
Run, run, and run some more
Clear the premises before
The same old problems pull you back again
Run, run, and just keep goin’
’Til you get to where you’re knowin’
You can rest, catch your breath
Know how it feels to win
Oh, run-run-run, a-run-run
Run-run-run, a-run-run
Run-run, run-run, run
Verse two:
You want to keep the hounds at bay
Don’t give up, you’ll find a way
Refuse to be controlled by anyone
And the walls that you run into
Break ’em down, you know you have two
Choices, you can stay or run
Second chorus:
Run, run and just keep movin’
Heal the past, keep improvin’
You can face your troubles one by one
You’re gonna have to face your problems
You need time and space to solve ’em
Then you’ll bloom just like a rose kissed by the sun
So run-run-run, a-run-run
Run-run-run, a-run-run
Run-run, run Rose run
Bridge:
Take your chances, you can do it
Make a plan and then stick to it
Make a choice to really be someone
Break away, run to freedom
Break old habits, you don’t need ’em
Break the cycle, those ol’ days are done
You have two choices, you can stay or run
Third chorus:
Run, run, and run some more
Clear the premises before
The same old problems pull you back again
Run, run, and just keep goin’
’Til you get to where you’re knowin’
You can rest and catch your breath
I know that you can win
So run-run-run, a-run-run
Run-run-run, a-run-run
Run-run, run-run, run
Tag:
Come on, run-run-run, a-run-run
Run-run-run, a-run-run
Run-run, run-run, run
Run, you can run
Run-run-run, run-run
Run, you can run
Run-run-run, run-run
Firecracker
First chorus:
Firecracker, I heard you callin’ me
Firecracker, that suits me to a T
A tiny stick of dynamite laced with TNT