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Mark Shepard Sings

A Life In Song: 4 Decades of Original Music

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February 24, 2015 · Life In Song 1980's, New York City Songs, Political Songs

132 All The Money’s Gone

16378928_sAh! The “Reagan Years”…. This song was the result of hanging out with a radical left-wing Methodist Minister and seeing the alarming increase of homeless people on the streets and benches of New York City in the winter of 1988-89…

I remember one January day in Grand Central station, women in high heels and fur coats stepping over and through dozens of sleeping homeless men who were attempting to find a place out of the frigid cold.

Sobering.

For those of you used to my “positive songs”  this one may be a bit challenging to here.

I do believe that one of the responsibilities of songwriters is to sing about the full human experience in a way that can hopefully challenge our habitual way of thinking and inspire change and transformation. Ultimately any one of us could end up on the street. It’s a fact of modern life. Which is why community and personal development are so important because strip away all our “stuff” and we are all fragile, vulnerable members of this crazy human tribe…

Please click on the arrow to play:

All The Money’s Gone.

Song # 132 | June 19, 1989 | CD: Feather On The Wind

Living on the edge of the road
Desperate just to shake off this cold
Clutching in a brown paper bag
Everything that I have…

What is it in me that you despise
When you walk by me averting your eyes?
Is it fear of me or fear of where you
Might someday be too?

Refrain:
You’ve got to open your eyes
To what the world has become
Where there’s plenty of money for guns
But when you ask them to toss you a crumb
They say “all the money’s gone”

The preacher comes around and we’re told
The streets of heaven are paved with gold
That’s really nice and fine and all that
But I eat less than his cat!

Refrain:

The system seems to work for some folks
But if you’re black or poor you’re welcome to choke
And when you dare to start asking them “Why”
Well then, you’re welcome to die…

Refrain:

And I just want to lie down i n peace
Without fear of being stabbed in my sleep
Where they won’t steal the shoes from your feet
Where they have clean sheets…

Refrain:

And I don’t know just what else to say…

Copyright 1989-2015 by Mark Shepard. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

Photo – Copyright: / 123RF Stock Photo

Filed Under: Life In Song 1980's, New York City Songs, Political Songs

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Some reviews & testimonials

Never fails to move me…

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

Paula

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love your lyrics!

Love your music! Love your lyrics!

Robin Bridgeford

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.

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

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

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

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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