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April 12, 2015 · Bullies & Bullying, Empowerment Songs, Life In Song 2000's, Non-Attachment, Songs of Transformation

394 The Power of Words

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This is one of the first songs that I wrote for my Bullying Prevention Program for schools. I was attempting to communicate the somewhat strange idea that it isn’t the words that cause us pain. It’s our INTERPRETATION of the words. If you are my friend you can probably tell me I’m fat or whatever without hurting my feelings. But if you’re a “bully” trying to hurt me with that statement, I can either feel hurt or I can decide that your opinion is not important. Someone showed me that if you string “Words Words, Words,” together slightly differently it becomes, Swordswordswordswords… I was trying to empower the “target” with the kind of interpretation that would cause any “bully’s” words to bounce off harmlessly…

Please click the arrow to play:

The Power Of Words

Song # 394   | 3/17/09 |  CD: tbd

He said, she said, they said, we said,
Somebody said something
Somebody’s feelings got hurt
All because of the power of words…
Sticks and stones may break your bones
But words can only hurt you
If you allow them to
If you give them power over you…

Refrain:
The Power of words…
The power of words…
The power of words
Is the power we give them

Think about a warm Spring day
A soft breeze caresses your cheek
Cherry blossoms drift from the trees
And flutter away like pink snow
Carpeting the ground
Listen now for the sounds of birds
And children playing on the playground
Across the park….
The sounds of laughter and 
the squeaking of the swing set
A friendly dog barks at his owner to 
Throw the Frisbee one more time
and yet…

None of that exists.
It’s all in your mind.
My words just triggered memories that Hopefully were pleasant for you…
But what if you’d fallen off a swing
On just such a day
And had to be rushed to the hospital?
My words might have the opposite
Reaction as you remember months in traction…

Refrain:

But the power of words
To make you feel is an inexact science
Because I never really know
How you are interpreting them
Or what things I’m triggering with my words…

What I said and what I meant
And how you interpret it
Could be very different
Depending on what’s going on with you
Inside… you mind…

You have a choice to choose
You have a voice to use
You have a mind to change
You can always rearrange
What you decide it means

Refrain:

Bridge:
Words, Words, Words, Words
wordswordswordswordswords…

He said, she said, they said, we said,
Somebody said something
Somebody’s feelings got hurt
All because of the power of words…
Sticks and stones may break your bones
But words can only hurt you
If you allow them to
If you give them power over you…

Refrain:
The Power of words…
The power of words…
The power of words
Is the power we give them

 

Copyright 2009-2015 by Mark Shepard. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Photo Credit – Copyright: / 123RF Stock Photo

 

Filed Under: Bullies & Bullying, Empowerment Songs, Life In Song 2000's, Non-Attachment, Songs of Transformation

Previous Post: « 397 Ocean Between Us
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Some reviews & testimonials

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

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

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

Just awesome…

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

Eric

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

Brilliant!

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

Mary F.

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

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

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

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 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

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 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 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

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