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Mark Shepard Sings

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March 30, 2015 · Empowerment Songs, inspirational songs, Life In Song 1980's, Longing, Non-Attachment, Songs of Transformation, Spiritual Songs

58 Visions of You


8107395_sI wrote this song during the frustrating year I was at Princeton Theological Seminary studying to be a Presbyterian Minister. (don’t worry it didn’t “take” :o)

My first year studies included a course on the prophets of the old testament. I was particularly struck by the prophet Jeremiah and his hesitancy to become a prophet…

Being a reluctant prophet is not exactly the best job if you want to have much of a future or raise a family.

Even at age 22 I was struggling with wanting to honor this “muse” or “Djinn” or “talent” that quite literally felt sometimes like it was “forcing” me to write songs but not giving me the tools to actually get the damn things out in to the world…

Little did I know it was to be a 30 40 year journey that would quite literally lead me to something called the “internet” where I can share these tunes to a growing audience around the world without the traditional “middle-men” of the record companies or radio broadcast networks.

As of this moment I still haven’t figured out how to pay the rent with these songs but ultimately that’s not the most important thing.

Knowing that our higher selves, or Spirit or Creator, or God or whatever you want to call it is constantly challenging us to open our hearts and say yes to a life adventure that doesn’t necessarily turn out the way we THINK it SHOULD makes singing this song particularly sweet…

Ultimately Jeremiah said “yes”.

Ultimately, as I have  said “yes” to this crazy songwriting “god” over 500 times, perhaps there are more “yeses” awaiting.

May you find your “yes” today in your life in your own way! Peace! – Mark

Visions of You (I Wreck My Soul)

Song #58 | 4/21/1982

Here I am alive but crazy lately
Writing songs that only sing to these four walls around me
What a fool. Feeling old and angry
Wanting badly to sing about anything but you
But you always win don’t you?
And there’s not a damn thing in the world that I can do

Refrain:
I wreck my soul with visions of you
And I don’t even know who you are
You call the tunes and expect me to shine
Like some firefly in a jar
There’s got to be some answers in here
That I haven’t seen and may never see
And you insist on keeping your distance
To protect your mystery…

If I could rise above my situation
I’d look you right in the eyes and demand that you give me some proof
Give me some truth. I’m tired of wondering
I’m tired of waiting and hoping you’ll show me the way
Ah but you take… your… time… don’t you?
And there’s not a damn thing in the world that I can do

Refrain:

You build me up. Then you knock me back down.
There are times when your Love feels just like the month of December
Then there are times when I just feel like leaving
I get ready to give it all up and then I remember
You always win don’t you?
And there’s not a damn thing in the world that I would do…

Refrain:

Copyright 1982-2015 by Mark Shepard. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

Photo – Copyright: / 123RF Stock Photo

Filed Under: Empowerment Songs, inspirational songs, Life In Song 1980's, Longing, Non-Attachment, Songs of Transformation, Spiritual Songs

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Some reviews & testimonials

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoying your songs so much…

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

Marianne

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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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