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A Life In Song: 4 Decades of Original Music

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March 11, 2010 · Empowerment Songs, inspirational songs, NLP Songs

The Boats Are Burning On The Shore


From “Life In Song 2009 – If I could Fly”
Commentary:
A song that came out of a long period of entrepreneurial frustration, dead ends, obstacles, obstinate business partners,  setbacks, cash flow challenges, creditors calling, etc. With the personal realization that on every great journey there are moments when you just want to quit. Those are the moments to get motivated and take massive action! The classic metaphor from history of the leader burning the boats upon arrival in hostile territory says: “There is no going back. There is no Quitting. There’s no place to go but forward. Make your choice and then get moving.” My last NLP class just loved this song and it became the theme of our most recent bootcamp. I hope it motivates you as much as it does me.
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Lyrics:

Boats Are Burning | Song #403 | 10/25/09

I wish that I could tell you what you wanted to hear
I wish I could tell you that there’s nothing to fear
But I don’t have time to argue any more
Because the boats are burning on the shore
You can choose to think the thoughts you’ve always thought to think
You can medicate the pain with something strong to drink
But it won’t drown out the wolves howling at your door
Because the boats are burning on the shore

Refrain:
The boats are burning There is no turning back
The boats are burning on the shore
Your life is calling, stop stalling and attack
The boats are burning on the shore

Sometimes you have to do what no one else has done
Sometimes you have to walk when you would much rather run
You can see your self as rich or see your self as poor
But the boats are burning on the shore
Our backs are to the sea and there’s no where else to flee
So we must move forward ever more fiercely
There’s no time for you to add up what you’re due
The boats are burning on the shore

I don’t have time to explain it all to you
Or to take classes in your school of fools
I’m playing by a brand new set of rules
Cause the boats are burning on the shore
This is not a drill It’s either kill or be killed
We’ll either stand or fall but there’s no-one left to call
So lead or follow or get the hell out of the way
Cause the boats are burning on the shore

Look away if you want to or stare into the flames
Focus on your anger or focus on your pain
Either way you may not live to see another day
Cause the boats are burning on the shore
I rather go down fighting knowing that I’d done my best
If I take a bullet I’d prefer it in the chest
Than hiding in a cubicle or clinging to a desk
The boats are burning on the shore

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Creative Commons License
The Boats Are Burning On The Shore a.k.a. Boats Are Burning by Mark Shepard is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

Filed Under: Empowerment Songs, inspirational songs, NLP Songs

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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

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

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

Love your lyrics!

Love your music! Love your lyrics!

Robin Bridgeford

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

Enjoying your songs so much…

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

Marianne

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

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

Never fails to move me…

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

Paula

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

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

Brilliant!

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

Mary F.

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

Just awesome…

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

Eric

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

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

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