Billy McLaughlin graduated with honors from the University of Southern California. He now resides in his home state of Minnesota where he is raising his two boys.
While studying music at the University of Southern California, he became interested in the minimalist compositions of Phillip Glass and Steve Reich. Hearing recordings by guitarists Michael Hedges and Steve Tibbets, McLaughlin began composing for his first CD released on his own record label in 1986. Many of the compositions featured a technique using both hands on the fingerboard in which the notes are “tapped” in a series of hammer-ons and pull-offs creating a harp-like effect. The technique became McLaughlin’s stylistic signature and by the early 90s he was touring the US coast-to-coast.
In 1995, Narada/Virgin Records signed McLaughlin to a multi-album contract ending his string of seven self-released titles. Narada’s first release, Fingerdance, climbed to #7 on the Billboard’s New Age chart and was distributed world-wide.
By 2000, McLaughlin's skills on the guitar were severely degraded due a problems in one of his hands. He could no longer perform most of his own repertoire. Several months later Billy was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder called focal dystonia. Choosing to go against doctors’ recommendations to quit music and look for other work, McLaughlin focused on his songwriting and returned to his ensemble which was less demanding for his hands. McLaughlin began the unlikely journey of teaching himself to play in his signature style, left-handed. Warned by doctors of a higher likelihood for developing focal dystonia in his remaining good hand, McLaughlin chose to press on towards an ambitious goal he had yet to achieve – to perform and record a new project with a string orchestra.
In January 2007, McLaughlin published a limited release of Into the Light, a concert recording of compositions for acoustic guitar with string orchestra. This collaboration with Grammy nominated arranger, Eugenio Toussaint, is McLaughlin’s first as a left-handed guitarist. Into the Light will be released nationally in the Fall of 2007 accompanied by a companion concert DVD.
By My Spirit
Billy McLaughlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lonely shadows run
Life loses Love when you don't feel the Son
Heavy world pressing down Dark clouds all around
I pray to the Light I pray to the One
I pray to the Light of this world
Time for the day end of the night
Not by power not by might But by my Spirit
No one likes to see impossible roads ahead of me
No one likes to hear a life broken down
A life full of fear
Time to be coming out into the Light
Time for the day end of the night
Not by power - not by might
But by my Spirit But by my Spirit
But by my Spirit But by my Spirit
So lift what you find hard to lift
And move what you find hard to move
And love those you find hard to love
Nothing's impossible All things are possible
Nothing's impossible
Time to be coming out into the light
Time for the day end of the night
Not by power not by might But by my Spirit
Time to be coming out into the light
Time for the day end of the night
Not by power not by might
But by my Spirit But by my Spirit
But by my Spirit But by my Spirit
The lyrics of Billy McLaughlin's song "By My Spirit" convey a message of hope, perseverance, and the power of faith in overcoming challenges. The song starts by acknowledging a long period of darkness and uncertainty, where the singer feels lost and doesn't know where to begin. The "lonely shadows" running symbolize the absence of love and joy in their life when they don't feel connected to a higher power, referred to as the "Son."
The heavy world pressing down and the dark clouds all around represent the external and internal struggles that weigh the singer down. In this context, the Light symbolizes divine guidance, and the One represents the source of strength and comfort they seek. They pray to the Light, asking for support and guidance to navigate through their difficulties.
The chorus emphasizes the idea that the singer's journey is not reliant on worldly power or material strength, but rather on the power of their spirit. It suggests that by connecting with their inner strength and resilience, they can overcome the seemingly impossible paths that lie ahead.
The lyrics also touch on the challenges of facing negativity and adversity from others. The line "No one likes to hear a life broken down, a life full of fear" implies that the singer's struggles may not be understood or supported by those around them. Despite this, the song encourages the listener to rise above these obstacles and not be deterred by the opinions of others.
The repetition of the chorus reinforces the message that the singer's journey toward the light and the end of the metaphorical night is fueled by their spirit. It emphasizes that the power to overcome lies within oneself and that nothing is impossible with faith and determination. The final lines of the song remind the listener to lift what is difficult, move what seems immovable, and love those who are challenging to love, as all things are possible when guided by the spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Long time in the dark Lost now, where to start?
I have been in a state of darkness for a long time and now I am feeling lost, unsure of how to begin finding my way again.
Lonely shadows run
I am surrounded by the presence of loneliness and fear, and it haunts me like fleeting shadows.
Life loses Love when you don't feel the Son
When you are disconnected from the light and love of the divine, life loses its true meaning and purpose.
Heavy world pressing down Dark clouds all around
The weight of the world bears down on me, and I feel surrounded by darkness and despair.
I pray to the Light I pray to the One
I seek solace and guidance from the divine light and the ultimate source of all existence.
I pray to the Light of this world
I seek the divine presence and enlightenment within the world around me.
Time to be coming out into the Light
It is time for me to emerge from the darkness and embrace the illumination and truth of the light.
Time for the day end of the night
The time has come for the darkness of night to fade away, making way for the brightness of the day.
Not by power not by might But by my Spirit
I will not rely on my own strength or force, but instead, I will depend on the power of my spirit and inner guidance.
No one likes to see impossible roads ahead of me
It is disheartening when others cannot envision the possibilities and potential outcomes of the challenging paths that lie ahead of me.
No one likes to hear a life broken down A life full of fear
It is difficult for others to bear witness to a life that feels shattered and filled with overwhelming fear.
So lift what you find hard to lift
Summon the strength to overcome the burdens that feel too heavy to bear.
And move what you find hard to move
Take action and push forward even when faced with obstacles that seem insurmountable.
And love those you find hard to love
Cultivate compassion and understanding for those who may be difficult to embrace or understand.
Nothing's impossible All things are possible
Never believe that anything is beyond your capabilities, for in reality, everything has the potential to be achieved.
But by my Spirit
Ultimately, it is through the power and guidance of my inner spirit that I will find strength and resilience.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Billy Mclaughlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaelpowell3427
Great Song BIll MAC......then at Maplewood Center and NOW