Welcome to Songs of Reflection
Songs of Reflection is a platform to share the works of Allen McPherson. His vision is to reflect the journey of life:
Trials & Tribulation mixed with Joy and Celebration.
The purpose is to find collaboration, build community and share ideas to create music.
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Please explore the composition's page and share ideas. These songs should be a starting point of sharing ideas and building community.
House Lights & City Limit Signs
Sitting in this hotel room looking out the window
Trying to check out the view
Been on the road so long, singing all my songs
Still thinking about you
Lord, I’m not complaining, just wondering and explaining
All the things I must do
Another show, Another town, the grind can bring you down
But the music always pulls me through
Turn on those:
Chorus:
House lights & city limit signs
Raise those hands up to the sky
Fell the music and you’ll know why
I keep coming back to those
House lights & city limit signs
Playing my music up on the stage
Songs about love and blame
Feel the energy seeing the fans
You’ll never be the same
From town to town city to city
Trying to remember each name
So many people so little time
Tired of playing the game
Searching for those:
Chorus
Now, sitting at home looking out the window
Trying to find something new
Off the road writing some new songs
Spending time with you
Soon it will be calling & I’ll start falling
Back in the road city blue
Turn up those lights lets see those city nights
I’m coming hard & true
Back for:
Chorus
End
Different People-Different Ways
Watching the nightly news, I get so confused
When angry is all I see
Why so much hate, sometimes it’s hard to relate
What it means to me
People with lots of money, it seems kind of funny
Where did happiness go
Is it a curse, guess it could be worse
Maybe something I don’t know
Chorus:
Different People, Different Ways
Every moment, every day (knowing the cost)
Different People, Different Ways
More words, less to say (what is lost)
Many problems to solve, should I get involved
It all seems so crazy
Stay in a comfort zone, safe & sound at home
Or I’m I just plain lazy
Try to understand, people of diverse lands
Many choices they make
Who’s wrong or right, hard to see the light
The problems to undertake
Chorus
In the country or city, it all seems a pity
Acceptance is hard to do
Being rich or poor, it’s hard to ignore
will we ever get a clue
Maybe being aware and showing that you care
It’s a good way to start
Little words in a song, can help it along
When it comes from the heart
Chorus
End
ONE PENALTY
They chase her out of the city, the scene wasn’t pretty
As they reach down for the stones
She trembled and barely stood, but suddenly something good
She wasn’t standing there alone
Those without sin, can be the first to begin
The crowd starts to turn away
A gentle hand appears, to wipe away the tears
The burdens of a lifetime that day
Chorus:
And the sins of a lifetime
All forgiving
One Day
A love that last forever
One Penalty
One Way
Comes in slowly takes a seat, always shy to meet
Look of worry on her face
It has been so long, the guilt is so strong
The feeling of total disgrace
Church people start to look, the cover of the book
She seems so out of place
Then a hand that cares, one person who dares
Remembering their moment of grace
Chorus
Legalist judge the best-tough to past their test
They seem so wise
Taking one sin over another, singling out each other
Before God there’s no compromise
Which issue to fight, claiming to be right
Serving our flesh never to realize
The enemy just laughs, as we fight on his behave
Not seeing the log in our eyes
Chorus
End
ALWAYS LOVED NASHVIILE
A strong summer wind down a wide-open road
Music like a heartbeat ready to explode
Come to music city feel melody in the air
With fire in my eyes no place can compare
Chorus:
I’ve always loved Nashville (yes, indeed)
I’ve always loved Nashville (Tennessee)
I’ve always loved Nashville-but will she love me
Up and down the row dues paid everyday
Little fish in a big pond finding my way
Night after night carrying my songs
Hoping for my bite to right the wrongs
Chorus
Last line- I hope she loves me
Music bridge
Slow tempo
Songs about life, tales to be told
Straight from the heart-values we hold
Faster tempo
Making music that sets people free
That wind becomes the sweet melody
Chorus
last line- all here in Nashville for you and me.
CLEARNESS
In this world we live, we move to the gray
What seems right one-minute turns dark the next day
Countless words are spoken, but nothing really to say
Many paths to follow, no one knows the way
Chorus:
God, give me a nearness, not to be deceive
An internal strength, to help me believe
So God, give me a CLEARNESS, something I can see
An internal insight, the bond between you and me
The world promises much but yields so little
Seeking the balance struck in the middle
Words and wisdom a search to become clearer
Better understanding starts by looking in the mirror
Chorus
Clean my wounds, wash the mud from my eyes
So blind, so long, searching for the prize
The decision must be made with no compromise
Stop seeking self then you’ll finally realize
Chorus:
God, I feel the nearness, no more to deceive
Your internal strength now I can believe
The son is the CLEARNESS now I can see
The eternal insight the unbroken bond between you and me
Repeat and end
COMING HOME
Losted in the woods as darkness starts to fall
Seeing the clearing he starts to recall
His eyes begin to focus on the place
Look of relief on his worried mama’s face
Chorus:
It’s time…
Time to come home
We are all prone to roam
But nothing fells like…. Coming Home
A businessman with no time but much power
Spends most of his days in a glass, concrete tower
Talking about his next deal then looks down at his desk
Pictures of his grown kids and ex-wife and says what a mess
Chorus:
I wish…
I could come home
Always prone to roam
Can I ever…. Come Home
Life’s directions as I look into the mirror
Like the boy and the man it’s getting clearer
Houses are made with wood and stone
The people inside is what makes it a home
Chorus:
Now time…
Time to come home
No more to roam
It’s time to come home
Finally feels like….Coming Home
I Believe
In this world of losing sleep
Discouragement can run deep
Just searching to understand
Are we part of a bigger part plan
Chorus:
I believe he knows every reason why
I believe he hears every child’s cry
But we’re too blind to see (2nd- Now it’s time to see) (3rd- His plan to see)
I believe he knows every hair on my head
I believe he wants every child fed
The problem is you and me. (2nd-Died to set us free) (3rd-The final peace for you and me)
Explore the journey take the chance
Leave the guild learn how to dance
God’s not a concept or something to debate
Came to creation so he could relate
Chorus
Believe in nothing there’s nothing to believe
Something bigger than us is hard to conceive
Begin the journey start the race
He waits for you to take your place
Chorus (repeat & end)
Rest in You
Hard fought determination, fighting through the complication.
Daily grind in life’s situation.
Rest in You-Lord. Rest in you. Is it true.. I can rest in you.
Mankind filled with murder & rape, no peace in all the red tape.
This fallen world we cannot escape.
Rest in You-Lord. Rest in you. What can I do. but rest in you
Trouble waters hard to navigate, wrong paths taken is why I hesitate.
Love that brings me through a narrow gate.
Rest in You-Lord. Rest in you. No penalty due so rest in you.
Moving across the great divide, fully exposed no reason to hide.
Freedom found with broken pride.
Rest in You-Lord. Rest in you.
Seeing it through to rest in you.
Then all creation on one knee. Unveiling the great mystery.
New home waits in eternity.
Rest in you-All is made new so rest in you.
SAID & DONE
Life is strange in so many ways
Minutes seem like hours, hours into days
Sometimes your up, always to come down
Relentless circle with no level ground
Is there a difference… When its all said & done
It’s a mystery hard to explain
Something inside you it seems pre-ordain
Confused world is there any hope
Everyone is at the end of the rope
What’s the difference…. When its all said & done
Music Solo (yes, there is a difference it’s not in you)
Seeking the truth starting to know
Like a child you begin to grow
Love given with no explanation
Burden’s gone-Born a new creation
He is the difference… when its all said & done
Make a difference…Under the sun
Jesus is the difference…. He is the one
End
Thank You
Thank you for taking away, now I see more clearly
The things I chase, possessions held so dearly
The gift given in that day, Sacrifice for the payment due
Showing creation a new way, Just fall on my knees to Thank You
Thank you for the love, I didn’t want to take
Giving without condition, what was at stake
Knowing my deeds, a life out of control
You took me as I am and changed my soul
Thank you for the trials, I didn’t understand
It’s part of life and a much bigger plan
Sharpen me like iron, my image to conform
Rain falls on everyone in a much bigger storm
UNDERSTANDING JESUS!?
Mystery man who holds us in time
Humbly came to renew the mind
Never ruled a land or invented a cure
Love and redemption- simple and pure
Even before we were dust,
The understanding of Jesus
Came to the children that you made
Never demanding the love you craved
Restoring man from his falling state
Putting on flesh so you could relate
You gave love as a must,
The understanding of Jesus
The truth was sought within the heart
Life’s position was never a part
Hard to listen, parables to understand
Now redeem with nails in your hand
In you we trust,
The understanding of Jesus
Came for the sick and they found worth
You left home and came to your earth
To feel pain and reasons to cry
To be hurt by your creation and then to die
God’s substitute for us,
The understanding of Jesus
More than a teacher or good advice
You came as the total sacrifice
Man’s entire penalty hung on that cross
Came to be king but died for the lost
Forgiving for man’s lust,
The understanding of Jesus
Love’s final deed done by God’s will
The burden of sin placed on that hill
Three days later replacing the temple
Conquer death with a plan so simple
Never to turn to rust,
The understanding of Jesus
Well , what does this mean to me
A blind man to stubborn to see
You can have your doubts or disagree
But to be fully free begins on a knee
Time to discuss
The understanding of Jesus
Life is a circus
The understanding of Jesus
Joy of Her
It’s one of those times-I had no choice in the matter
If I chose-I would pick no other
She has given all she has-From first day to this
Soul to Soul- Joy of my Mother
Oh-How Beautiful-she gave it all to have me
Oh- The Joy of Her-She gave it so freely
Then a time came along-I had to share some space
Now she’s far away- oh how I miss her
While growing up-we shared all the moments
Blood to Blood-Joy of my Sister
Oh-How Beautiful-No matter what always there
Oh- The Joy of Her-No matter what situation always care
Then one night-it seemed time stood still
Seeing her there change my life
Now everything is ours and together we are everything
Flesh to Flesh-Joy of my Wife
Oh-How Beautiful-When the two become one
Oh- The Joy of Her-A new life had begun
Coming into my life-one breath at a time
Body so fragile- eyes like blue water
Confusion and celebration-She melted into my hands
Body to Body-The Joy of my Daughter
Oh-How Beautiful-Time with no motion
Oh- The Joy of Her-Feeling instant devotion
This is to them-the women in my life
Sometimes hard but I touch of sweet
Can’t image walking alone-with them I’m always home
Life to Life-always complete
Oh- How Beautiful-There is one beside every man
Oh-The Joy of Her- I’m beginning to understand
Old World/New World
Chorus:
Some are the old world-some are the new
Speaking out- our points of view
Learn to live between the two
We are the old world-we are the new.
Today is frustration and confusion
Blood on the pavement. Drugs in the basement.
Searching for an answer with no conclusion
Seeking out the right solution
Chorus
Points of reference and personal preference
Change is hard to embrace while keeping face
But my side is right and their wrong
Stubborn mankind goes on and on
Chorus
Many ideas to follow- Hard to swallow
Fight the hate and relate-not too late
One World-both old and new
One Love for me and you.
Simple Things
Lighting bugs in June, Schools out real soon
It’s summertime again
Glass of lemonade, Ice cream in the shade
good times with friends
A warm summer breeze dancing through the trees
it feels so right
Swim in the creek, child’s hide n seek
baseball game at night
Chorus:
The world turns around & around
You got to take what it brings
We all have our ups and downs
Remember-the simple things.
When you were young, it’s all about the fun
don’t have to think
But time passes by, it seems to fly
so you better not blink
Chorus
(Slow down) Now looking back the cards seemed stack
but it’s all OK!
(Pick up pace) Sun with rain, pleasure with the pain
chasing the simple way
Chorus and end
COFFEE AND DRINK
Chorus:
Coffee in the morning
A drink at night
And in between
Trying to get it right
My bookends of life
Until that final light
My coffee in the morning
My drink at night
In my youth-my dreams my own
Making my way strong as a stone
Paths taken-some right some wrong
Becoming a man search for my song
Chorus
The work was hard but it was steady
My life in my hands willing and ready
Built a home to be proud of
Remember-it was all a gift from above
Chorus
Music solo
Older & Wiser- my story to tell
Lived a good life and lived it well
Looking at my family and friends
My two drinks of life came together at the end
Chorus/End
Bad Love
Late night- at my back door
Moonlight-I’ve seen this before
Shaking my head as I let you in
Tell me a story let the lie begin
Chorus:
Bad Love- back against the wall
Bad Love- or no love at all
Same old story just a different line
Give my heart lose my mind
“Heart of Gold” hard to find
Missing the mark time after time
Chorus:
Bad Love- Waiting for the fall
Bad Love or no love at all
Music Break
Guard my heart think with my head
Tired of you and seeing red
Please be the one that gets away
Back door is closed- today!
Chorus:
New Love- standing tall/Good Love-making the call
New Love-Having a ball/Good Love-Strutting down the Hall
Comfortable Confusion (Covid)
When it happen, it took us by surprise
Seeing the world through brand new eyes
All the modern potions had no chance
The music stopped in the middle of the dance
Once blinded by this world’s illusion
Start to live in comfortable confusion
The wide-open world hidden at home
No more boundaries all left alone
The many trials cleaned us of pride
Anger grew as we took a side
Fighting the fight in this disillusion
While living in comfortable confusion
Both Right and Left- the social norm
Nightly news elevated the storm
Forever changed divided in half
As the powerful people just laugh
Music Break
Did this happen to fix our focus?
Losing our control feeling hopeless
Some will remember but most will forget
Space in time- that precious nugget
What is our conclusion?
Search for the truth in comfortable confusion
GONE FISHIN’ (fun, up-tempo country song)
My daddy sat me down and had a talk
Son, I’ve showed you many things-even how to walk
I’m not the sharpest tool and I’ve past that to you
You keep catchin’ and fetchin’ is anything getting through
Daddy, I don’t know about tools or things I shouldn’t caught
But I do remember one thing that you taught
How to hook a line or special hiding spot
Fishin’ stays in my head, the other stuff does not
Chorus:
Gone Fishin… what’ll you say
Gone Fishin… it’s a beautiful day
Gone Fishin’… it sets me free
Gone Fishin’… so just leave me be
When I was older started liking girls
Ask some to go fishing they gave it a whirl
But all they did was talk even with the poles in
Wanting to know everything even my closest kin
Now, I’m out of school and running out of luck
Not enough money for fishin’ and my truck
How about the T.V. guy with a “T” on his hat
Just talks about fishin’ can I sign up for that
Chorus:
Gone Fishin’... with my gear
Gone Fishin’… got any beer?
Gone Fishin’… I’ll drive
Gone Fishin … Feel alive
Found a nice girl and made her my wife
Love her lots but it’s hard to share my life
Work hard for my three sons and daughter
But now I have to seek out to go to the water
By the big oak tree down by the lake
Life is fast and sometimes hard to take
I try to do my best but my head gets full
Let’s all go fishin’, the rest is just bull!
Chorus (end/ad lib)
Gone Fishin’… do it today
Gone Fishin’… let’s get away
Gone Fishin’… Where’s my keys
Gone Fishin’… rain oh please
Gone Fishin’… ready or not
Gone Fishin,… my favorite spot
Gone Fishin’… hide it’s my wife
Gone Fishin’… she’s got a knife
Gone Fishin’… time to go
Gone Fishin’… I know,I know
Gone Fishin’… sit right here
Gone Fishin’… is that a deer
Finish
Joseph’s Prison
Lost traveler who has been found
Accepted now on holy ground
Wrong paths I have taken
But never leave nor forsaken
Self-pity at its worse
Subjects of the fall. Part of the curse
Searching for something that I lack
Two steps forward, one step back
Chorus: Time for Peace-Time for pain
Fall on all of us through the rain
Eyes wide open with blind vision
Living in Joseph’s Prison
My life still rattles and shakes
Making my share of mistakes
But new reasons for the tribulation
The trails are part of the celebration
Chorus
Our pride is the final step
My own guilt I fully accept
God’s promises are always kept
Penalty paid for my debt
Chorus
RIVER RUNS
Born into this world without a home
Living on the streets on his own
He grew up hard, He grew up fast
Never thought about the future, forgetting the past
Chorus:
Before the setting sun
At the end of the day
Where the River runs
Take me away
Wash me away
There was a girl in love with a man
News of a baby the faster he ran
She told her family with tears in her eyes
What about your future, what you’ll comprise?
Chorus, Solo
An aged man sitting, staring into space
Life reflections, tired runner in the race
Now his child would have a child too
What was the right thing to do?
Chorus
3 broken souls with promises under delivered
Changing Chance in Life’s river
They stopped and looked forgetting the shame
Together, family forever under one name
New life had begun
Starting a new way
Where the River Runs
Under a new sun
A beautiful new day
Repeat and End
Surburbianity
Point to him but focus on us,
good as gold in God we trust
Find happiness and our passion,
give “God the glory” is so in fashion
In or out you must choose,
when chasing the world what do we loose
Chorus:
Surburbianity-
too blind to see. Living in your own reality
Surburbianity-
are you free? Jesus didn’t die for a theocracy
Live a great life easy to sell,
who’s behind the product it’s hard to tell
The book of manners and behavior,
just look good to earn God’s favor
Jesus and love in lyric line,
market numbers show plenty of air-time
Chorus
Bring heaven on earth with political power
with tall steeple tower
Stop moving the chairs on the titanic,
PR spin can be so gigantic
Forget about what you deserve,
live for him-die to serve
Chorus, (less of me)
(now I’m free)
End
Two Places
This is a tale of two places,
looks different in the social graces
But more common than you think,
the similarities are forever link
Chorus:
Two places- in any home town
Two places- when you’re feeling down
Up on a stool or down in pew
Just depends on your point of view
It’s Two Places…….
Center of town with a steeple stack,
the other on the wrong side of the track
Where all kinds of people come to meet,
hoping to feel a little more complete
Friendly faces to talk and hear,
one has coffee, the other has beer
Sunday morning or Saturday night,
trying to make the wrongs seem right.
Chorus
Acceptance is hard to do,
Don’t judge the best of the two
Filled with people feeling used,
the lines are often confused
Heart of the person matters most,
give both a timely toast
Remembering, all the many faces,
my life spent in both places
Chorus
WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE
Two young boys in any home town
Words are spoken to cut each one down
One is black and the other one is white
Legacy reasons they didn’t start the fight
We all have prejudice of some kind
Where do you draw the line?
Two people talking at their work
About who they like and who’s a jerk
No harm, I would say this to their face
Someone overhears and feels out of place
Gossip bites on company time
Where do you draw the line?
Bridge:
Points on a page, Hard to define
We all have the scars, Where do you draw the line?
Don’t judge the cover of the book
All of us need a second look
To be different makes the world unique
All living together to make it complete
Start to open your mind
Stop drawing so many lines
Bridge:
Points on a page, help to define
Start healing the scars and open up your mind
Stop drawing so many lines
Repeat and end