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.
In the Water
Billy McLaughlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From babe to old He says, “All you come,
Come be baptized! My river’s wide! Just come.”
In the Water in the name of One
Who has lifted all and forgotten none
We are kept alive and what grows inside is Love
Heals you where you are
No one will judge you here.
You are safe in His arms
In the Water in the morning sun
In the summer shade on a midnight run
Everybody come everybody we are One
River’s wide Jesus Christ Almighty I’m released
Not alone Bring me home Home to heavenly peace
From babe to old He says, “All you come,
Come be baptized! My river’s wide! Just come.
Come be baptized! My river’s wide! Just come.
Come be baptized! My river’s wide! Just come!""
The lyrics to Billy McLaughlin's song "In the Water" speak to the transformative power of baptism and the sense of unity it brings. The song opens with the idea that in the water, we are all born as one. It emphasizes the invitation to be baptized, with the river being described as wide and welcoming. The repetition of the line "Come be baptized! My river's wide! Just come" emphasizes the inclusivity and openness of this invitation.
The second verse expands on the idea that being in the water, in the name of One (presumably referring to Jesus), brings a sense of renewal and healing. The water is described as washing clean and healing wherever one may be. It also emphasizes the absence of judgment, as the water provides a safe space where one can be embraced by God's arms.
The third verse highlights the different experiences of being in the water, from the morning sun to a midnight run. It urges everybody to come together, emphasizing the unity and oneness that is found in the act of baptism. The line "River's wide Jesus Christ Almighty I'm released" suggests a sense of liberation and freedom that comes from being in the water, and a desire to be brought home to heavenly peace.
Overall, the lyrics convey a powerful message about the transformative and unifying nature of baptism, inviting all to come and be part of a community that is bound together by love and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
In the Water we are born as One
When we are immersed in the water, we are united as a single entity
From babe to old He says, “All you come, Come be baptized! My river’s wide! Just come.”
Regardless of age, Jesus invites everyone to be baptized in the wide river
In the Water in the name of One
We immerse ourselves in the water to honor and acknowledge the existence of a higher power
Who has lifted all and forgotten none
This higher power has lifted burdens from everyone and doesn't forget anyone
We are kept alive and what grows inside is Love
The water symbolizes the source of life and within it, love flourishes
Know this Water washes clean.
Understand that this water has the power to cleanse and purify
Heals you where you are
The water has the ability to heal you wherever you are
No one will judge you here.
In this place, you will not be judged by anyone
You are safe in His arms
When in the water, you are protected in the embrace of the higher power
In the Water in the morning sun
During daylight, we immerse ourselves in the water and feel its warmth
In the summer shade on a midnight run
Even in the darkness of night, we seek refuge in the coolness of the water during summer
Everybody come everybody we are One
Everyone is invited to join and together we form a unified whole
River’s wide Jesus Christ Almighty I’m released
The river symbolizes freedom and by being in it, one feels released from worldly burdens, attributing it to Jesus Christ
Not alone Bring me home Home to heavenly peace
The water serves as a guide and brings a sense of peace, helping one find their way home spiritually
From babe to old He says, “All you come, Come be baptized! My river’s wide! Just come.
Jesus welcomes people of all ages and encourages them to be baptized, emphasizing the vastness of the river and urging them to come
Come be baptized! My river’s wide! Just come.
Jesus lovingly invites everyone to be baptized in the wide river without hesitation
Come be baptized! My river’s wide! Just come.
Jesus extends his invitation once again to be baptized, expressing the generous expanse of the river and urging people to come
Come be baptized! My river’s wide! Just come!
With great enthusiasm, Jesus invites people to be baptized, emphasizing the openness of the river and eagerly urging them to come
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Carin Vagle, Billy McLaughlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sharon Matthews
Beautiful ♡♡♡♡