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Mark Shepard Sings

A Life In Song: 4 Decades of Original Music

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March 13, 2015 · Empowerment Songs, Freedom Songs, healing songs, inspirational songs, Life In Song 1980's, Songs of Transformation, Spiritual Songs

104 Minstrel Fires

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Killer song, dude – I love this one! – Jeremy K.

About This Song: (lyrics below)

There is a lot to say about this song so I hope you’ll bear with me.

If you’ve ever had a pivotal moment of desperate, “one step away from losing it” frustration and despair, you’ll relate to this song.

I FINALLY realized one day what the real problem was that was keeping me from “getting my music out into the world”.

  • It wasn’t the “heartless” music industry.
  • It wasn’t my mother telling me that music was a bad career.
  • It wasn’t my shyness or performing anxiety, fear of criticism or any of the other reasons or stories I was telling myself.

 

It was me. My victim thinking. 

This was my moment of truth.

To quote the old motivational speaker cliche: “If it is to be, it is up to me.”

This song basically records the precise moment I started to take charge of my own reality… and my own change.

From that point onward I dedicated my life to healing the thoughts, beliefs and behaviors that were robbing me of my joy, power and health REGARDLESS of whether I was ever able to make a living from being a singer/songwriter.

It was “triggered” by a Bruce Cockburn song, “Loner”… then morphed into a conversation with my imaginary “inner Bruce Cockburn”… by the end of the song I was actually stepping out of my habitual “victim” mentality and owning that I had to “climb out of canyons of my own creating, …escape the prisons of my hesitating…”

The deeper truth here for all of us is that we are ALL trained by our culture to be victims.

The dominant message from the media is that we are not pretty enough, rich enough, thin enough, talented enough or happy enough as we are and and it’s not our fault… we are “victims” of this or that or whatever.

Their solution? Just buy something to fix it!

But no “pill gonna cure this ill”.

Transformation is an inside job. It is sometimes messy and difficult.

If one of my songs can help to give you a little courage in your darkest moments then I’m satisfied that my 40 year journey of self healing is truly what I’m here for. Not fame. Not money. Not “getting my songs out into the world”. Just real transformation.

I invite you to join me out here on this journey back to your core truth: You are an amazing being of LIGHT. Let it shine today in whatever way you can let it shine. – Mark

p.s. Check out the BRILLIANT electric guitar solo by my dear friend Gene Moore (particularly at the end of the song)…

Minstrel Fires

Song #104 | 6/7/1988 | CD: Visions and Voices

When I look at you dancing I breathe deeply
Everything you do looks so damn easy
But envy never healed an aching heart or soothed this strange desire…
Envy only wraps you up in wires

It is raining, I am running I am walking, I am stumbling
I’m dreaming that I’m shouting I wake up mumbling
And the faceless voices Scattered all about me
Speak of a passion that would free me

Refrain:
If I could, I would fly Into the Summer sky
If I would, I could fly Into the Summer sky

My music is my lover It is my enemy
It is my destination It is my agony
Wrapped up in mad desires
Following the lights of Ancient minstrel fires

Refrain:

Let the neighbors talk Let them dream, let them wonder
Let my voice be full of thunder
I must climb out of canyons Of my own creating
I must escape the prisons Of my hesitating

Refrain:

Copyright 1988-2015 by Mark Shepard. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

 

Filed Under: Empowerment Songs, Freedom Songs, healing songs, inspirational songs, Life In Song 1980's, Songs of Transformation, Spiritual Songs

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Some reviews & testimonials

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

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

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

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

Love your lyrics!

Love your music! Love your lyrics!

Robin Bridgeford

Enjoying your songs so much…

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

Marianne

Brilliant!

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

Mary F.

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

Never fails to move me…

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

Paula

Just awesome…

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

Eric

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

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

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

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

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