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Mark Shepard Sings

A Life In Song: 4 Decades of Original Music

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June 30, 2015 · Freedom Songs, inspirational songs, Joy, Life In Song 1980's, present moment awareness, Songs of Transformation, Spiritual Songs

94 Brand New Polka

marching band crop

One day, when I lived in Peekskill NY, quite early in the morning I heard a strange yet pleasing sound of a Marching Band. Evidently band practice was first period at the high school a couple of blocks away and they were out in the neighborhood practicing their marching. I don’t know if you have ever tried to chew gum and walk at the same time but I’ve been in a marching band and it’s HARD to play the actual correct notes AND walk at the same time in step…

See them all attempting to play and walk at the same time and getting their steps out of sync was so funny and joyful and poignant that of course. I had to write a song. And this is it. Probably one of my most joyful, exuberant songs.

Thanks for listening!

Please click the arrow to play:

Brand New Polka

Song # 94 | September 1987 | CD: tbd
[Tuning: EABEBE]

I been told, streets of heaven
Paved with platinum, paved with gold
Now that’s fine with me but, I don’t care either,
The street I live on is fine with me.

Can you see me trembling? Can you hear me singing?
Can you feel the earth turn under us?
Can you catch the rhythm of the shooting starlight?
I feel so full that I could bust!!

Refrain:
And a mile from my house the sun rises
To the tune of a marching band
And the children on the street they stop in their play
And laugh till they cannot stand.

Oh, Listen to me, you glancing children
Can you hear, can you hear the piper’s call?
We are just here for a few short moments
Do not allow your life to stall

Go stand in the ocean, feel her hands upon you
Let the waves, let the waves roll over you
If you stand there stiffly, I be you a dollar
You will be lost in the under tow

Refrain:

I feel like dancing to the hokey pokey
I feel like dancing in the rain
I feel like dancing in my three piece suit now
I feel like dancing again and agin.

I feel like dancing to this strange new polka
I feel like dancing till I drop
But I will rise up one more time and
This time I refuse to stop!

Refrain:

Copyright 1987-2015 by mark Shepard. All Rights Reserved.
Photo credit – Copyright: raecher / 123RF Stock Photo

Filed Under: Freedom Songs, inspirational songs, Joy, Life In Song 1980's, present moment awareness, Songs of Transformation, Spiritual Songs

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Some reviews & testimonials

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

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

Just awesome…

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

Eric

Love your lyrics!

Love your music! Love your lyrics!

Robin Bridgeford

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

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

Never fails to move me…

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

Paula

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

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 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

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

Brilliant!

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

Mary F.

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

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

Enjoying your songs so much…

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

Marianne

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