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Mark Shepard Sings

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135 Rise and Fall Home Page

tiananmen-square-1989

2022 Music Video & Audio released 11/30/2022

Feather On The Wind CD

 

This song was inspired by events in Tiananmen Square in 1989. The line “One lone tree guards the hope of the world” was partly inspired by the lone man who stood up to a line of tanks.

For a reminder of those events click this link to see an ABC News report:

ABC News Report On Tiananmen Square

This article is even better:
https://ammo.com/articles/tiananmen-square-massacre-china-chinese-authoritarian-roots-tank-man

Back to 1989 Song Index

Back To Main Song Index

Rise and Fall

Song #135   | June-July 1989 | CD: Feather On The Wind

NOTE: in the “Am” chords I’m hammering on and pulling off the 3 differnt strings of the chord shape. In the G chord for “rise and fall” I’m holding the G and then playing a C chord at the same time on rise and quickly switching back to G before I go to the Am.. watch the most recent video to see what I’m doing. It’s beyond my music theory chops to describe that better. good luck! Thanks for wanting to play this song! – m

Am

Boy have I got a secret for you

Am                                                                            G
There’s power in words to break the world in two

G/C            Am
Rise and fall

Am
One lone tree guards the hope of the world

Am                                                               G
Who can tell but birds it’s branches hold?

G/C            Am
Rise and fall

Can you see the sun break through the clouds
Can you see the troops disperse the bleeding crowds?
Rise and fall
Ruled by men deep in limousines
Who seem to feel that freedom is obscene
Rise and fall

Refrain:

D                                                         Am
I believe I can hear the distance calling

D                                                       Am
I believe I can see the mighty falling…

Bayonets fixed, sweat in eyes
Soldiers lay their lives down serving lies
Rise and fall
What is true? What is false?
Who is foolish? Can you tell me, can you tell me who is wise?
Fall and RISE!

Refrain:

Boy have I got a secret for you
There’s power in Love to make the world anew
Rise and fall
One lone tree guards the hope of the world
Who can tell what birds its branches hold?
Rise and fall

Refrain:

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Some reviews & testimonials

Your lyrics embody everything we hold sacred…

Your lyrics embody everything we hold sacred and dear as a faith community.

Gina Sullivan, Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph

I Love listening to all your songs…

Mark, you really are an amazing songwriter! I Love listening to all your songs and sitting in the creative aura they create!

Cheri

Just awesome…

Your music is taking over my life and it’s awesome!

Eric

I loved the song and listened to it 3 times….

Hi Mark, I just had to tell you this. I emailed my 3 granddaughters the song you wrote who are sisters with the youngest being 11 years old, has cerebral palsy and is very smart, is able to talk, very funny, uses a computer, is able to write, now is learning to play drums, emails me ‘Thanks. I do.’ I loved the song and listened to it 3 times.

Gail Russ

Total awesomeness!!!

‘Let’s Run’ is MY FAVORITE so far.. I LOVE THIS ONE.. great job.. total awesomeness!!! I thank Jana Stanfield for introducing me to your gifts. I am grateful.

Merril

Never fails to move me…

Your incredible music never fails to move me. Thank you, Mark.

Paula

Brilliant!

Brilliant! I LOVE seeing the words to all these beloved songs, thanks!

Mary F.

Love your lyrics!

Love your music! Love your lyrics!

Robin Bridgeford

Been singing the chorus since the first day I heard it…

I sh*t you not when I say I’ve been singing the chorus to Honest Rock since the first day I heard it. I sing this every single day. Many times a day. Seriously. It’s like a mantra to me. It soothes me:-)

Gene Moore

You have put a grown man in tears…

Mark, this song and message really hit home for me today. You have put a grown man in tears. Thank You for what you do. Sometimes I think you sound kind of cheesy, and then others, I think you are a genius, and I’m beginning to realize that you actually care about helping people. So hard to “get out of your own way” sometimes…thanks for the reminder.

Jeremy

Enjoying your songs so much…

Hello Mark. I am enjoying your songs so much! I’d love to see you play live somewhere.

Marianne

You write some great songs!

Hi Mark, You write some great songs! I really enjoyed listening to all of them on Spark and Flame. Thank you for all that you do. Keep up the good work! All the best.

Susan

For me these songs are transformational lessons in self-love…

Dear Mark, THANK YOU for sending *Spark & Flame*!!!! This CD certainly is a compilation of Conscious Love Songs! As I listen I am transported to memory after memory past, present and future, fulfilled and unfulfilled. I was flooded with many different emotions. I cried, laughed, held my breath and also breathed deep heart-centered breaths of connection to the Divine. I feel joy, grief, sadness, compassion, love, awe, freedom, kindness, gratitude and appreciation. For me these songs are transformational lessons in self-love, releasing, acceptance for what was, what is and who I am. Knowing that I am enough and that I am Divinely Loved.

J

Your song was just perfect to start my day…

Mark, your song ‘Freedom (It’s Been  Long Road)’ was just perfect to start my day. I LOVE IT!  Thank you, Thank you.  Blessings to you and much gratitude for your musical gift.

Judy

They love (your song) and ask to listen to it, ALWAYS.

My name is Cecile. I teach kindergarten at OMSD. I had the pleasure of using your song Together We Can Change The World to help my students make a difference in this wonderful world! They love it and ask to listen to it, ALWAYS.

Cecile Arvizo

Love the “Key To Your Cage” album…

Love the “Key To Your Cage” album. I hear so many different influences and styles woven throughout the songs, really keeps it interesting from start to finish!

Dan Z

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