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Mark Shepard Sings

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March 24, 2015 · Life In Song 1990's, Longing, Love Songs, Peace Songs, Political Songs

147 Before The Sirens

23673433_s“Before the Sirens” is a different kind of love song, a song of longing after a loved one has been taken away either by political events or oppression…

It was inspired by the political events in South Africa and Latin America during the 1980’s and focused and brought forth after seeing “The Handmaids Tale” about a totalitarian society in the future. This song is still applies today wherever political dissidents speak out against oppression.

Although in my mind I hear it being sung at some point by a woman, in a world where women increasingly are serving in the military and speaking out against injustice, it certainly could be a man who has been left behind, “after the sirens”…

At the time of writing this song, I was heavily influenced by the music of Bruce Cockburn as well as the ideas of a radical left wing Methodist minister by the name of Schuyler Rhodes… it doesn’t take much of a search on google or any stock photo service when typing in the key word: “Political Unrest” or “political protest” to find people all over the world speaking out against injustice today.

Please click the arrow to play:

Before The Sirens

Song# 147 | 8/31/1990 | CD: TBD

I dreamed I saw your face again
Before the sirens came
And though they’ve taken everything
My Love for you remains
Before they took your hands
You used to play guitar
You used to touch me in the night
The way clouds brush the stars

Before the sirens
Before the sirens came
Before the sirens
Before the sirens came

I miss your face in my mirror
Your toothbrush in its place
I miss the way you’d sing to me
and the way you would say Grace
I miss you like the shadows
Mis the candlelight
I miss you like the children
Miss their blankets at night

Before the sirens
Before the sirens came
Before the sirens
Before the sirens came

You were the hope I had
That the world was not all pain
But when they took you
They took so much of me
That now I barely remain

Before the sirens
Before the sirens came
Before the sirens
Before the sirens came

I dreamed I saw your face again
Before the sirens came
And though they’ve taken everything
My Love for you remains

Copyright 1990-2015 by Mark Shepard. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Filed Under: Life In Song 1990's, Longing, Love Songs, Peace 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

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

Just awesome…

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

Eric

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

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

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

Brilliant!

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

Mary F.

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

Enjoying your songs so much…

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

Marianne

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

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

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

Love your lyrics!

Love your music! Love your lyrics!

Robin Bridgeford

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

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