John MacLean John MacLean sings with a voice that is honest. His songs reflect on the place where the family meets the heart, with words that linger. "Letters Home" is one of the finest original traditional folk albums of the past few years... Wildy Haskell, Wildy's World John MacLean's beautiful song "Liar's War" is touching and revealing, sad and intimate and sung with a gentle voice and spirit... Julie Dougherty "Baltimore" is full of heartbreak. The room was silent, listening... James O'Brien, Jamaica Plain Bulletin John MacLean played "Liar's War." It knocked me out. His understated style is like quiet fire... Tracy O'Connell John MacLean's version of "Blind Willie McTell" is beautiful... Alain Bouet, Reddog Radio, Paris "Letters Home" is good work... Rich Warren, The Midnight Special, WFMT 98.7 FM, Chicago Bio                 Gigs                 Lyrics                 Links                 email John MySpaceMusic w/songs        Facebook Artist w/songs        EPK        Matchbook        CD Baby Videos:     Liar's War (Letter Home)      Pancho & Lefty      Northbound 35      Baltimore

I love real stories. I am inspired by Richard Shindell, Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Springsteen, and the fact that my mother loved to sing along with her AM car radio. When the great Texan George Brown moved to Baltimore and I heard him sing Pancho and Lefty I knew I would play. He taught me how, and also that music is for including not excluding. Other important influences include The Bank Street Band, Kate Campbell, Seth Connelly, and Dick Pleasants. These days I'm a long way from my hometown of Baltimore, but "Letters Home" is a reality thanks to Seth Connelly. Working with Seth was a true education and fine journey. My thanks to him, to all who provided guidance and support, and to those for whom these letters are sung. I hope you'll give "Letters Home" a listen. I've tried to provoke both your heart and mind while singing my own songs and those of Richard Shindell, Joel Mabus, Dylan, and Townes. You can hear songs from it at the links above and purchase mp3's or the entire CD at CD Baby, iTunes, and Amazon among others. Above are links to my email, gigs, and some lyrics, along with some of my favorite artists, locales, and websites. Of special note is SAMW, a wonderful summer home for lovers of music. And please support lots of establishments that offer live music, and that includes buying their food and drink. Owners provide music because they love it, but they also have to pay the bills. Do your part! Hope to see you when I'm singing out. And don't forget that Election Day 2008 was only a start, Inauguration Day 2009 was not the end, and 2010 elections are coming up! We have been at war for over half a decade now and still have a whole lot of pain at home. Stay involved in both the music and political scenes! Back to Top

LYRICS In order: Apart, Baltimore, Beyond Our Time, Courage To Care, Faraway Friends, First Met You, Here's To The Living, Liar's War (Letter Home), New American Way, Still Waters, Sweet Addiction, Troublesome Daughters, Winter's Tale.         Back to Top APART (© John MacLean 2009) Each of us had dreams of love Some of us still do Some dreams are full-deferred Some with luck come true... Crimson moon rises now Casting bitter light Engines cough then roar awake Eager for the fight We climb inside the metal beast It rises to the air Each soldier touches home inside I say a silent prayer Hoping God is guarding you If he indeed exists I strain to still believe he does But hope he will hear this May every man with me tonight Return with beating heart And may this war soon be o'er that keeps us so apart Silver blades claw the air As we prepare to fight Smoke and fire, blood and fear Will burst into the night But here I see you on our steps Freckles on your skin So fragile are these bodies That hold our hearts within Now I look around me Beneath grim masks I see Tremors born out of fear Just like inside of me All our thoughts turn to now as swiftly we descend Yet in our rush to reckoning this to you I send A prayer for you and for the son whom I have never seen May he have eyes just like yours a shade of emerald green and May every man with me tonight Return with beating heart And may this war soon be o'er that keeps us so apart BALTIMORE (© John MacLean 2004; with thanks to Steve Tilston) She rode the train from Lawyers' Hill He sailed from Halifax Her journey home but one short hour For both there was no turning back Two separate roads boldly taken Crossed near the waterside A glance and smile and a heartbeat Forever changed two lives He dreamed of fame and fortune She of Paris and Rome Those dreams were detoured in Baltimore And there they made their home The blue-eyed raven-haired beauty And her dashing handsome Scot Believed their deepest dreams fulfilled But in truth they sadly were not The lovers discovered in marriage His ambition and her love of gin Would drive him away until late at night And slowly do her in Before all tumbled to ruin Children's laughter rang out there But the dark secret slowly twisted Young dreams into growing despair So a boy and a girl with blue eyes And two more with the darkest brown Learned well the lessons of imperfect love Before each of them left town The long ago star crossed lovers Were once again all on their own They lived out their lives together While each in fact lived quite alone With their passing not one single sibling In the city was to be found But there were long nights spent remembering One's bitter and sweet hometown Some have found fame and fortune The others restlessly roam But all visit the graveside in Baltimore The town that will always be home She rode the train from Lawyers' Hill He sailed from Halifax BEYOND OUR TIME (© John MacLean 2006)    {Garageband Best Folk Melody Week of 1/12/09, Best Folk Lyrics Week of 2/23/09} I don't believe in God I don't believe in ghosts I do believe we live beyond our time You won't find me in Heaven I hope I'm not in Hell I might be in our daughters' hearts and minds And what will they remember? What tales will they tell? Will they recall sudden words of anger Or draw softer tears from memory's well? By the end of every day I try to find a way To give those girls reason to sleep well But it's sometimes hard work praised Sometimes voices raised And sometimes we need a final bell And what will they remember? What tales will they tell? Will they recall sudden words of anger Or draw softer tears from memory's well? Don't you hope that as they sleep Our children only keep Visions of happiness and light? Alas it's surely true The brush at times holds blue As those dreamers paint memories at night And what will they remember? What tales will they tell? Will they recall sudden words of anger Or draw softer tears from memory's well? I don't believe in God I don't believe in ghosts I do believe we live beyond our time COURAGE TO CARE (© John MacLean 2007) You've slipped in again like late autumn wind Cool respects to pay Even though it was years ago You quietly stole away I still see your eyes flashing angry Warnings that never will end While you were never much good for a smile You were good to us all 'til the end Beneath that mask of iron will And coke spoon so debonair Lay a girl who lost all her dreams But still had courage to care His cocaine and wine went down fine Chaser to marriage gone bad But you never let your new best friend Touch the real friends you had You were just so terrified Of ending up old and unknown You held him so tight most every night In a bed that wasn't your own You tried to be strong but then in the end After two years clean and alone You took every pill then took your leave While sitting next to the phone My turn to leave sweet Annie Pardon I do gently pray Your visit begs such solitude And this is our family day Unlike you I did find love Laughter rings out in this home But I won't forget you never found A family of your very own Beneath that mask of iron will And coke spoon so debonair Lay a girl who lost all her dreams But still had courage to care FARAWAY FRIENDS (© John MacLean 2004) I was long on the road and lonely At Sandy's in the old Empire State So after my songs were over I stayed even though it was late Sandy opened a Miller and dark Guinness Stout Her east Texas black and tan I moved to the farthest barstool And reflected as I sometimes can. The miles and years are many Since I left my hometown But I still wish I could find a way To gather my old friends around We were the damnedest collection of shipwrecked fools Each nursing a big broken heart Our collective convictions were failing As our worlds were falling apart We'd gather together to sing out some songs Drink a cold frosty beer or two Go out to bars and ballgames And together we somehow got through The miles and years are many Since I left my hometown But I still wish I could find a way To gather my old friends around They helped me to see that there could be light In the midst of a dark bitter end By showing how strongly they felt that I was Worth having as one of their friends I never told them they gave me the courage To risk going so far away And how that farewell courage they gave me Makes me miss them to this very day By the time Sandy softly bid me goodnight My thoughts had become hard earned verse I set those words to music Laid 'em plain for better or worse And so my long ago faraway friends You helped me to write this song When I sing it I'm saying what I should have said When I long ago said so long Oh the miles and the years are many Since I left my old hometown But at times when I sing you are right here with me Old friends we have gathered around FIRST MET YOU (© John MacLean 2004) Oh so many years on the run Chances lost one by one Chased by the past, future too Until that evening I first met you Childhood full of sunny days to keep But also shadows that still cut deep I learned to trust, but not too far I just thought that was the way things are As a young man I tried to build Sturdy bonds but instead dreams I killed The part of me I would not share Proved much more than love could bear So to this northland I moved away To live out quiet and reflective days Held scant hope of love anew Until that evening I first met you And though I write this song in room alone You and our daughters fill this sturdy home The day you opened up your heart to mine Marks the end of my running time What did I ever do to so deserve Your constant love behind that calm reserve? With love that's broken almost all the chains And put peace in place of all the pain I fear at times I am still too reserved But your touch tells me your heart feels well served As for my heart, it's been yours it's true Ever since that night I first met you HERE'S TO THE LIVING (© John MacLean 2004)  Loved ones lost, they won't be back Countless more, dressed in black With clouded eyes and faces drawn Memories search for faces ever gone But before shock even sets full in Snake oil salesmen slither in With hearts of tin worn on their sleeves They sleekly comfort those who grieve As they steal our hearts, feed on our dread And slyly defile our newly dead So here's to the living Those who survive Who fill the holes in shattered lives Shattered lives On that day you lose your loved one Learn you're left all on your own The strength to rise will come from Those you love and long nights alone Not weeping words from perfect strangers Softly whispering their perfect lies Not righteous prayers from sly shape changers Who pray with hooded eyes We're better off not even mourning For those Judases to see Yes here's to the living Those who survive Who fill the holes in shattered lives Their shattered lives LIAR'S WAR (LETTER HOME) (© John MacLean 2004; dedicated to Porter Rathmell and Johnny Painter)   Dear Sally I just came in from patrol    And now it's quarter past four  I hope you're sleeping safely tonight  I don't sleep much anymore  If I could I would reach out and hold you  And whisper what's inside my head  I'm sending good soldiers to their desert deaths  And I'm wishing it were me instead Three boys gave up their lives tonight And a brave young girl makes it four We're right back where we started a lifetime ago In another liar's war I'm thinking of my brother William He died leading his men tough and true And while it's now been more than 35 years His passing tonight feels brand new He died in a long ago Asian war But now more have died on the way Down a long bloody road that ends right here But began back in Cam Ran Bay Three boys gave up their lives tonight And a brave young girl makes it four We're right back where we started a lifetime ago In another liar's war You know best how proud I have been to serve Thirty years in a tangible way And to honor my brother's sacrifice In that rice field an ocean away But my proud serving days are over There's no honor in burying men For those who chose to start this war But chose not to fight back then Three boys gave up their lives tonight And a brave young girl makes it four We're right back where we started a lifetime ago In another liar's war Three boys lost their lives tonight That young girl she died too I miss you Sally so much tonight And I wish I were there with you NEW AMERICAN WAY (© John MacLean 2005) You need not say a single word I can read your angry eyes Yes I've had a drink or two With all the day shift guys Indeed we closed down Ernie's In a most rememberable way With bitter words we made our toast To the new American way I've raised my glass forty years or more To brides and newborn babes Tonight I hurled it to the floor They stole our dream today At Nine A.M. those Boston brats Shut this old factory down That was just the first mean blow They laid on this old factory town They're parsing out but two weeks pay For all our years of sweat We asked about our pensions No answer did we get I've raised my glass forty years or more To brides and newborn babes Tonight I hurled it to the floor They stole our dream today We drove four hours to corporate towers To ask our so called bosses To reconcile their new found gains With our profound new losses But Ammerman, McGrath, and Potter Hid from Jimmy, Jenny, and me While a stiff and stammering Boston cop Marched us back down to the street Jimmie Lamore turns sixty-four With no retirement pay Charlie Hall who's lived here all His years tomorrow will say There is no future here my son You must move away And as for you and me, my dear They stole our dream today I've raised my glass forty years or more To brides and newborn babes Tonight I raised then hurled it down To the new American way STILL WATERS (© John MacLean 2004) They named their child Grace Frances Last born shy little girl Surrounded by words she mostly watched And kept to her own quiet world Alone on a pond, cold moon lit nights Was one place her dreams rang out clear Though her silvery skates whispering on ice Was the only sound you could hear Chorus We rush through our days never seeing Those who their own counsel best keep Just remember while rivers at times rush and roar Still waters are what run most deep Well childhood dreams get faded And for some that's the end of the road But Grace Francis just turned to the future And took on her real life's load You might think she chose the wrong line of work So full of loud classrooms and all But she loves to hear children cry out their joy And they love to heed her soft call Chorus Quiet, firm, and determined Do not every man's interest keep But beneath all that fearsome beauty Lies a beauty much more than skin deep Later than most do she married And the girls get their voices from John But you know when those two are sad at night It's her voice they depend upon Chorus You can waste half your lifetime looking For the one who will bring your heart peace So remember while rivers at times rush and roar Still waters are what run most deep SWEET ADDICTION (© John MacLean 2004) Sweet addiction be my partner Come with me into the night In the shelter of your shadow I pretend all is all right Dear Attendant be my consort In these hours that bring you here I have need of your affection Of diversion from my fear Damned demon drown my yearning For the dreams that will not be Dull my mind from all the burning Blind my eyes so they won't see Suave accomplice stay my searching For the road I dare not take Still my pleas for final parting I do not care to make Dear companion bring me comfort Take my hand and take me deep In the silence of our landing I can taste my final sleep Deadly demon drive me crazy Take me on your swirling flight Cut the pain of knowing loved ones Once again stand watch tonight Sweet addiction bring me comfort Take my hand and take me deep In the silence of our landing I can taste my final sleep TROUBLESOME DAUGHTERS (© John MacLean 2004, with tongue firmly in cheek) Troublesome daughters, a demanding wife Whatever happened to my bachelor life? Even on vacation I'm always on call I surely am shackled to that old chain and ball Always I hear their constant demands Diverting my focus from the pleasure at hand When I ask for time to read the comics or sports My wife and my daughters just laugh, sneer, and snort Oops, here they are coming with blood in their eyes They just heard me whining and I think I'm 'bout to die Cause my wife holds down two jobs and my girls work real hard While I write sad songs and go out to bars I confess it is true they make few demands And 'til they just heard me I was a most lucky man But now they just declared they've had enough of me And they've locked me outside without even a key Yes now they have declared they've had enough of me There's nary a chance I'll get back that key Cause my wife holds down two jobs and my girls work real hard While I write sad songs and go out to bars WINTER'S TALE (© John MacLean 2006) She stands at winter window And stares out through the years Well past holding grudges She's conquered all her fears Winter's sun, pale yellow Lies kind upon her face Of regret, life's last joker The light reveals no trace But still she feels a longing Born in dreams of youth As she surveys roads not taken And the shifting sands of truth First love long forsaken Children's time long past She was offered constant love Settled peace at last And if, as on this winter's day The heat is less intense It's not that life goes unfulfilled In truth it makes more sense But still she feels a longing Born in dreams of youth As she recalls roads not taken And the shifting sands of truth

LINKS

Some Music Folks Kate Campbell Al Cath Dan Cloutier Seth Connelly Don Croad Julie Dougherty Cliff Eberhardt Mark Erelli Joe Fredette Fishken & Groves Tim Fitzpatrick Dick Gaughan Andrew Greene Patty Griffin Trina Hamlin Kim Jennings Joel Mabus Tracy O'Connell Gayle Picard Garnet Rogers Gerry Ryan Richard Shindell Mark Simos Ellen Schmidt Tom Smith Valerie Thompson Two Cat Folk

Hangouts Amazing Things Cantab Lounge Emerson Umbrella Java Room Lizard Lounge Main Streets Cafe Parish Center for Arts Pig's Eye Rose Room Review Sangria's Savoury Lane TCAN Tom's Eatin' & Drinkin' Tupelo Music Hall Twice Told Tales Village Gate (NH) Back to Top

This and That Acoustic Music.Com Boston Folk Festival KDVS Freeform Radio - UC Davis Leslie Lee Graphic Design Nicholas Rellas Photography Ron's Folk Pages SAMW Summer Acoustic Week Sam Bayer Boston Mikes Wildy's World WUMB - Boston Folk Radio Places Where My Music Has Played Earl Clifton Radio - Chesapeake, VA Grizzly's Growls IDSL - Duluth MN INDIE104~iRADIO LA Indie Lady A - WSF Radio Midnight Special Blues - Paris MVYRadio - Martha's Vineyard Reddog Radio - Paris Songwriter's Network - Bristol, CT WERU - Blue Hill, ME WFMT's Midnight Special - Chicago WHFC - Bel Air, MD WholeWheatRadio - Talkeetna, AK Did I miss any? Email me!