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The Key To Your Cage (Full Album)

by Mark Shepard

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1.
Freedom (It’s A long Road) Song #312 | 12/12/2000 | CD: Eyes On The Horizon Freedom is a word That is very often heard But just as often much misunderstood It might mean nothing left to lose Or that you get to choose Between two leaders, neither of them good It could mean you have got no plans Or that you cut loose when you dance It might mean you got the guts to speak your mind It could mean you have no regrets, Beliefs, possessions, pets Or that you always pay your bills on time Refrain: It’s been a long road That I’ve been walking down That I’ve been lost and found on It’s been a long road That I’ve been walking down But now I hear the sounds of… Freedom I choose not to be a slave To the assumptions you have made And I accept the consequences of my choice I will make my own mistakes I will find out what it takes From now on I will heed my inner voice I pledge allegiance to my self For the sake of my own health Not a country or a point of view If I declare myself to be A human being free Well you know, that gives your freedom back to you Refrain: Bridge: Freedom. Freedom.(X2) Freedom is a bird That is seldom seen or heard But still it rises up on falcon’s wings And when it bursts up into flight With it’s feathers full of light It fills my heart with joy to hear it sing… Copyright 2000-2015 by Mark Shepard. All Rights Reserved.
2.
Honest Rock Song # 499 | 3/30/15 | CD: TBD I have been healed On this honest rock (3x) I am grateful just to be alive today… I have been broken and I have been blessed oh yes! (3x) I am grateful just to be alive today… Refrain: If you chanced to glance Upon the face of God Why would you ever look away? I have been walking Through the valley of the shadows (3x) I am grateful just to be alive today… I have been raised up From all my “failures” (3x) I am grateful just to be alive today… I have been blessed (oh yes!) With this honest love (3x) I am grateful just to be alive today… Refrain: I have been healed... That Cold water for a thirsty soul I have been healed... She dipped down the bucket and the water will flow I have been healed... On that Joshua the walls come a tumbling down. I have been healed On this honest rock (3x) I am grateful just to be alive today… [ Tuning: Open D - DADF#AD] Copyright 2015-2016 by Mark Shepard & Joe Mennonna. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.
3.
Together We Can Change The World Song #375 by Mark Shepard | 12/5/2007 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 I believe it’s not too late Together we can change the world Lay the puzzle pieces out Find out what it’s all about Together we can change the world Refrain: Can’t do it by myself So I’m asking for your help Together we can change the world Sail past where it’s been charted Roll your sleeves up, let’s get started Together we can change the world Together we can change the world With our hands and with our hearts We can dare to make a start Together we can change the world What if we spoke with one voice, Knowing that we have a choice? Together we can change the world Refrain: [instrumental] Change your mind and change your life Set aside the fear and strife Together we can change the world When we open up our eyes Then we start to realize Together we can change the world Refrain:
4.
If You Could Walk In My Shoes version 3 | 11/19/11- 12/15/11 | Song # 436 Character 1: 5 am the alarm rings again Character 2: 6:15 I’m standing out in the rain Character 3: The bus arrives and so does the pain Character 4: I put on a mask so I don’t have to explain Character 5: 6:42 I walk into the school with you Character 6: Who I really am, you don’t have a clue Character 7: Sometimes I feel like my heart is full of holes Character 8: Broken laces, worn down soles… Refrain: If you could walk in my shoes If you could walk in my shoes If you could walk in my shoes You might understand why I do what I do… You might understand why I am who I am… 11 am cafeteria line Eating lunch alone again trying not to lose my mind You judge and taunt me for the way I look If you only dared to read more than the cover of this book Refrain: 2:00 pm. Fell asleep in math again The teacher woke me up and everybody laughed again You all had fun at my expense What you don’t get is that I have no defenses left… Refrain: My parents drink and they often fight all night I can’t sleep because my gut is wound too tight I don’t remember when the good times stopped This mask is so heavy I’m ready to drop… Refrain2: If I could walk in your shoes If I could walk in your shoes If I could walk in Your shoes I might understand why you do what you do… I might understand why you are who you are… Copyright 2011-2017 by Mark Shepard. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.
5.
Rain (KTYC) 05:24
Rain Song #518 | 7/15/16 Rain, rain, rain… Find your edges and lean in to them Even if you fall down Seek your ledges and climb up to them Start right now Rain, rain, rain… We make up stories And then live them out… As if they are true… Every “dead end” is a new way out Dare to break through Rain, rain, rain… [Instrumental] Let go of what You can not control… Even if it feels strange The world believes What you believe about 
your self… So, Expand your range! Rain, rain, rain… [Instrumental] Brush your self off And get up again You have work to do Love yourself Until your love is true Until it’s true for you Rain, rain, rain… Lean in to the rain… Lean in to the rain… Lean in to the rain… Lean in to the rain… Copyright 2016 by Mark Shepard
6.
Be The Change Song #472 by Mark Shepard What if you could really vote with your heart? Imagine the world a better place because of you What if we could pause for a moment of peace? What if for a moment all hostility could cease? Refrain: Be the change you want to see in the world Be the change you want to see Be the change you want to see in the world Be the change you want to see Brothers sisters, fathers and mothers What if we all got together And took a moment to breathe with each other So that we can make things better Refrain: Broadcasting love is a conscious choice that allows your hurt to mend So lay down your arms and open up your heart There is nothing that you have to defend Refrain: Bridge: I will hold you in my heart And surround you with love I will hold you in my heart In the Light we're all made of... Refrain:
7.
Paying Attention (Version 2) Song # 462 | version 2 June 2011 | CD: Home Across The Sea Hey are you paying attention? As the words flow down like rain Can you feel the touch of Spirit Like wind in the ripening grain? Can you hear the thoughts of neighbors… As blackbird gossip in the trees? It’s a call to meditation To catch an ancient, honest breeze Refrain: Did I catch you dreaming? Did I catch you wide awake? The way I see it There’s no such thing as a mistake… When I asked you to receive me I was really opening to you On the path of seeking silence We can create our world anew… It’s a judgment-less catharsis A new coat cut from the old Like the day that Saul of Tarsus Was struck down blind, but joyful on the road… Refrain: Hey I’m just trying to pay attention While the silence patiently explains The need for such a gratitude That nothing else but Love remains… Tuning: EABEBE Copyright 2013-2016 by Mark Shepard. All Rights Reserved
8.
Oh My Beloved Song # 506 | October 2015 | tuning: DADF#AD Oh my beloved Oh my beloved Oh my beloved I rest my eyes in you heart mind soul breath love etc.
9.
There’s A Drum In The Distance Song #511 | January 2016 | Tuning: DADGAD | Inspired by Heather Diddel There’s a drum in the distance There’s a drum right here (repeat) When are you gonna do What you came here to do? (repeat) There’s a light in the distance there’s a light right here When you gonna shine, they way you came here to shine? There’s a truth in the distance, there’s a truth right here x 2 when you gonna say what you came here to say?x2 There’s a dream in the distance, there’s a dream right here when you gonna build what you came here to build? There’s a love in the distance, there’s a love right here x2 when you gonna love you who came here to love? There’s a drum in the distance, there’s a drum right here (repeat) When you gonna Be who you came here to BE? (repeat) credits
10.
I Surrender To The Source Song # 482 | 4/19/14 | by Mark Shepard | Arrangement by Joe Mennonna I surrender to the source Of all hope and all delight I surrender to the source That guides me through my night Refrain: I surrender to the source I surrender to the source I surrender to the light that restores my eyes to sight I surrender to the light That turns my darkness bright I surrender to the truth That extinguishes the lies I surrender to the truth That I can always trust as wise Refrain: I surrender to the love That heals my broken heart I surrender to the love And I dare another start I surrender to the way That guides me through my day I surrender to the way that has the kindest things to say Refrain: bridge: And the wind upon the sea Dances out a harmony Upon the pages of my heart Upon the gifts that I receive Refrain: (x2) credits
11.
So Be It, Amen Song # 505 | 9/21/16 | inspired by talk by Rev. Crystal Muldrow Tuning: DADGAD Capo 2 Lord, lord, lord Shine your light through me X2 Refrain: So be it. Let It Be. As it is. Amen So be it. Let It Be. As it is. Amen So be it. Let It Be. As it is. Amen Amen Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Lord, lord, lord Shine your Love Through Me Refrain: Add additional verses as needed: Joy, Peace, Light, Hope, Song, Truth etc.
12.
The Key To Your Cage Song # 523 | 9/16/16 It’s the key to your cage It’s the steps to your stage It’s the jewel in your rage It’s the war that you wage It’s the wind in your sail It’s the win in your fail The card that gets you out of jail It’s the steel in your rail Refrain: It’s the key to your cage It’s the key to your cage It’s the key to your cage It’s the word on the street It’s the gift of a thief It’s your sigh of relief At a brand new belief It’s the road out of town It’s the loft in your down It’s the sound of your sound It’s your feet on the ground Refrain: It’s the wisdom of pain The note the bottle contains It’s your skin in the game While the rest just complain It’s the breath of a breeze In the tops of the trees It’s the moment you seize To secure your release… Refrain: Copyright 2016 by Mark Shepard. All Rights Reserved.

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released June 3, 2017

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Mark Shepard Albany, New York

Welcome to my “Life In Song” project.

Since 1976, I’ve been obsessively and compulsively writing songs. Some of them are inspired by my own life, my attempts to understand love, life, spirituality, peace and justice.

While I recently have started to get a little recognition, you’ve probably never heard my songs ANYWHERE.

But now you can hear them... here... Download. Share. Thanks!
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