I'm Not Afraid 
Words & Music by Dennis Stephen 
© 2021 Meloden Music USA (ASCAP) 

In the still of the morning, bluebirds sing a song, 
They say I’ve been in bed too long. 
Pour my cup of coffee, butter my toast, 
My eyes half open at most. 
TV news can’t bring me down, 
With another report of the world gone upside down. 

And now... I’m not afraid to live or die. 
I’m not afraid to laugh or cry. 
I’m not afraid to speak my mind. 
Now... I’m not afraid to work real hard. 
I’m not afraid to be broken or scarred. 
I’m not afraid to be caught off guard. 
Got no time for this charade - I’m not afraid.  

Heaven knows I’m not some Holy Joe, 
Tryin’ to put on a show. 
No matter how hard winds of change increase, 
I stand firm in my beliefs. 
You can’t fill my heart with fear. 
You can try, but I won’t disappear. 

And now... I’m not afraid to live or die. 
I’m not afraid to laugh or cry. 
I’m not afraid to speak my mind. 
Now... I’m not afraid to work real hard. 
I’m not afraid to be broken or scarred. 
I’m not afraid to be caught off guard. 
Got no time for this charade - I’m not afraid. 

Agree to disagree, okay. 
We’re all free to have our say. 
I won’t be forced to bend your way. 

Got no time for this charade - I’m not afraid. 
Got no time for this charade - I’m not afraid.

Songwriter's Notes: I wrote this song about hanging tough in the midst of social pressures. Using a driving beat and strumming acoustic guitar base, the music consists of a fusion of both country and alternative rock styles.