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Mark Shepard Sings

A Life In Song: 4 Decades of Original Music

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May 6, 2015 · Bullies & Bullying, letters to daddy, Life In Song 2000's

370 Billy Is A Bully (I Will Defend)

3656363_sLooking back through my “archives” this morning my attention was attracted to a couple of songs from the musical “Letters To Daddy”.

In this part of the play the main character stands up to the “bully” who has been stealing smaller kids lunches.

Of course the teacher didn’t see THAT. The teacher only sees HER start the fight. So She gets in trouble. Later on in the musical, of course, she discovers WHY Billy is acting out the way he’s acting out. I’ll share that with you tomorrow.

Today, I thought you might like to experience the process of how a song goes from simple guitar accompaniment with me singing to a full blown arrangement with someone else singing.

In this case the “someone else” is the The Amazing Rilee O’Neill.

Here’s my version –
Please click the arrow to play:

Here’s Rilee O’Neil’s version, Arrangement by Joe Mennonna, Electric Guitar by Gene Moore

Billy Is A Bully (I Will Defend)

Song #370 | 10/19/07 | CD:  Letters To Daddy

Billy is a bully and
He always tries to pull me
Into a confrontation
That will land me in detention at my school
I feel the need to mention
That the tension just cemented
My intention to take action
And cause a slight infraction of the rules

My parents told me not to fight
They also said to “do what’s right”
And someone has to stand up to this bully
And show him the light
He’s pushing little kids around
Knocking them right to the ground
And there is no adult around
To settle everybody down right

Refrain:
I will defend the small
I will defend the weak
I will take the bully’s punches
I will defend the young
I will defend the meek
Now give them back their lunches
Leave those kids alone

I know that I should walk away
But this is real this is not play
So I will stay and do my best
To make this bully take a rest…
From putting down and posturing
Punching, poking, punishing
Pushing, hitting, puncturing
Shouting, spitting, pummeling and yes…

Refrain:

I stood up to him and got knocked down
He shoved my face into the ground
Now my mouth is full of dirt
My pride is hurt but it could be worse
A teacher saw me start the fight
I guess it wasn’t very bright
But I would do it all again
And gladly do my time in detention

Copyright 2007 by 4-E Productions. ASCAP. All Rights Reserved.

Photo – Copyright: / 123RF Stock Photo

Filed Under: Bullies & Bullying, letters to daddy, Life In Song 2000's

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Some reviews & testimonials

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 your lyrics!

Love your music! Love your lyrics!

Robin Bridgeford

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

Just awesome…

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

Eric

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 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 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

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

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

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

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

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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