McLean released his debut album, You’re Not Alone, in 1983 and with every song that followed, his lyrics filled voids, encouraged love, and offered hope. Now, more than 25 albums later, his musical legacy has not only resonated in the hearts of thousands, but continues to be a standard for those seeking meaning and peace.
To celebrate this exciting anniversary, McLean released a boxed set of six albums in 2008. The definitive collection, 25, is filled with his most beloved songs from the last 25 years, many of which were out-of-print, as well as a handful of brand-new songs on each album.
With a background in film, McLean began early in his career making commercials for radio and television, receiving numerous national and international awards for advertising. Such awards included the prestigious Clio Award, National Addy Award, New York Ad Club’s Andy Award, two National Emmy Finalists Awards, and the Bronze Lion at the Cannes Film Festival. He later used his film experience to produce and direct several films including, Together Forever, The Prodigal Son, and Mr. Krueger’s Christmas starring film legend Jimmy Stewart.
Ever the engaging performer and master storyteller, McLean has shared his beloved Christmas musical, The Forgotten Carols, with more than a half-million people across the country since 2001. With humor and heart, “The Carols” has become a beloved tradition for thousands of families who mark the beginning of their holiday season with this magical musical.
Celebrating the Light, another of McLean’s musicals, ran for five seasons at the Promised Valley Playhouse in Salt Lake City and The Garden, an allegorical oratorio written with Merrill Jenson and Bryce Neubert, opened in Jerusalem and has been performed across the country as well as in France, South America, and Russia. His popular sea-faring musical The Ark enjoyed a New York City debut in 2005.
In addition to his music and films, McLean has also authored four books with accompanying CDs – Distant Serenade, Hold on the Light Will Come: And Other Lessons My Songs Have Taught Me, The Forgotten Carols, and most recently, From God’s Arms to My Arms to Yours.
McLean and his wife Lynne have three children and live in California.
Musical Style: Piano driven inspirational
Current Residence: California
Handel's Dream
Michael McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When my moment arrived, I stood before the Musical Tribunal, and I sang, and I sang, and I sang! And no one snickered, or laughed at me, because this was heaven. But I knew almost immediately that I would not be invited to join the heavenly choir for one simple and rather obvious reason: I couldn't sing. I could feel it I could feel that music, but I couldn't get that feeling to come into my voice. Well, the Grand Chorusmaster, he smiled and nodded to his cheif assistant to show me out.
"This isn't fair!" I pleaded. "If you could hear what's in my heart, you'd let me sing!" And I raced back in to beg the Chorusmaster to give me one more chance. And as I did, music filled that heavenly room. And I recognized it, because it was the music coming from my very own innocent, tender heart.
Hallelujah, Lord of all
Hallelujah to the Lord of all
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Be our guide every day
King and Lord of All
Give us the strength to see
how best to follow Thee
Hallelujah Lord of all
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
When all the heavenly singing had stopped, my friend told me that, in his dream, all the other angels stood motionless and amazed when they heard the sound. He said, and when my carol to my King was over, the Grand Chorusmaster himself stood, and said, "Oh little one, you have so much to give, and your time will come. Your time will come."
"Ohh... then I can't sing with the choir?" I wanted him to change his mind, but he just shook his head.
"You have a different voice," he said, "but it will be heard. Centuries from now, it will be heard. More orchestras and choirs than you can possibly imagine will be giving the music of your heart a voice that will echo through time."
Joy to the world, the Lord has come
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
Hallelujah repeat several times
He is God, Praise His name
The King and Lord of All
Wonderful!
Counselor!
The mighty God!
The Everlasting Father!
The Prince of Peace!
The Everlasting Father!
The Prince of Peace!
The lyrics of "Handel's Dream" by Michael McLean can be interpreted as a metaphorical representation of the journey of discovering and embracing one's unique talent and purpose in life, despite initial setbacks.
The song begins with the singer recounting a dream where they were a young angel in heaven. The announcement of auditions for the choir that would announce the Holy Birth creates an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. The singer's heart is filled with a desire to participate, and they approach the Musical Tribunal to showcase their singing abilities. Although the heavenly setting ensures that no one ridicules them, the singer realizes that they cannot sing well enough to be part of the divine choir. Despite this setback, they are determined to prove themselves and plea for another chance. Here, the singer's heartfelt plea reflects their inner conviction and longing to express themselves through music, even if they lack the technical proficiency.
The chorus of "Hallelujah" signifies the universal praise and worship. As the singer pleads for another chance, they experience a moment of realization. The music that fills the room comes from their own innocent and tender heart, representing the genuine passion and inner voice that cannot be solely expressed through conventional singing. The singer understands that their voice, though different, has the potential to be heard in the future. The Grand Chorusmaster acknowledges the singer's unique talent and assures them that their time will come. This moment is a reminder that everyone has their own journey and purpose, even if it takes time for it to be recognized and appreciated.
The outro section of the song shifts the focus to the celebration of the birth of the Lord and the greatness of God. It conveys a sense of joy and reverence, as the angels and humans alike acknowledge the Lord's arrival and express gratitude. The repetition and exclamation of "Hallelujah" emphasize the universal praise and the significance of the Lord's presence. The mention of various titles and attributes of God, such as "King and Lord of All," "Everlasting Father," and "Prince of Peace," further emphasize the greatness and majesty of the divine.
In summary, "Handel's Dream" explores the journey of self-discovery, resilience, and embracing one's unique talents and purpose. It conveys the idea that even when one's abilities may seem inadequate in certain situations, their true voice and impact can still be heard and appreciated in due time. The song ultimately celebrates the arrival of the Lord and praises God's greatness.
Line by Line Meaning
In my dream, he told me, I was a very young angel in a very heavenly place, when a trumpet was sounded and an announcement was made.
In the dream, Michael McLean was told that he was a young angel in a heavenly place when a trumpet sound signaled an important announcement.
All the angels in heaven were invited to audition for the choir that would announce the Holy Birth.
Every angel in heaven was given the opportunity to audition for the choir that would announce the birth of Jesus.
There was an excitement and a sense of anticipation that, well, it nearly caused my little angel heart almost to burst.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation, overwhelming Michael McLean's young angel heart.
When my moment arrived, I stood before the Musical Tribunal, and I sang, and I sang, and I sang!
When it was Michael McLean's turn, he stood before the Musical Tribunal and sang with all his might.
And no one snickered, or laughed at me, because this was heaven.
No one ridiculed or mocked Michael McLean because he was in heaven where love and acceptance prevailed.
But I knew almost immediately that I would not be invited to join the heavenly choir for one simple and rather obvious reason: I couldn't sing.
Despite his passion, Michael McLean soon realized that he wouldn't be chosen for the heavenly choir because he lacked the ability to sing.
I could feel it I could feel that music, but I couldn't get that feeling to come into my voice.
Although he could sense the beauty of the music, he couldn't translate that feeling into his own voice.
Well, the Grand Chorusmaster, he smiled and nodded to his cheif assistant to show me out.
The Grand Chorusmaster kindly acknowledged Michael McLean but instructed his chief assistant to escort him out.
"This isn't fair!" I pleaded. "If you could hear what's in my heart, you'd let me sing!"
Michael McLean protested, feeling unjustly treated, and believed that if they could perceive the contents of his heart, they would allow him to sing.
And I raced back in to beg the Chorusmaster to give me one more chance.
Filled with determination, Michael McLean hurriedly returned to plead with the Chorusmaster for another opportunity.
And as I did, music filled that heavenly room. And I recognized it, because it was the music coming from my very own innocent, tender heart.
As he made his plea, the heavenly room was filled with music, and Michael McLean realized that it was the expression of his own pure and tender heart.
When all the heavenly singing had stopped, my friend told me that, in his dream, all the other angels stood motionless and amazed when they heard the sound.
After the heavenly singing ceased, Michael McLean was informed by his friend in the dream that all the other angels stood still in awe upon hearing his voice.
He said, and when my carol to my King was over, the Grand Chorusmaster himself stood, and said, "Oh little one, you have so much to give, and your time will come. Your time will come."
According to his friend, when Michael McLean finished singing his carol to the King, the Grand Chorusmaster stood up and spoke encouraging words, assuring him that his time to shine would arrive.
"Ohh... then I can't sing with the choir?" I wanted him to change his mind, but he just shook his head.
"Ohh... Does that mean I can't sing with the choir?" Michael McLean hoped for a different outcome, but the Chorusmaster simply shook his head in response.
"You have a different voice," he said, "but it will be heard. Centuries from now, it will be heard. More orchestras and choirs than you can possibly imagine will be giving the music of your heart a voice that will echo through time."
"You possess a unique voice," the Chorusmaster assured, "and although not now, it will find its way to be heard. Many generations later, countless orchestras and choirs will bring life to the music from your heart, echoing through time."
Joy to the world, the Lord has come
Let there be joy throughout the world, for the Lord has arrived.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord!
Hallelujah repeat several times
Repeating 'Hallelujah' multiple times as an expression of exultation.
He is God, Praise His name
He is God, let His name be praised.
The King and Lord of All
He is the King and Ruler above all.
Wonderful!
How marvelous!
Counselor!
Our advisor!
The mighty God!
The powerful God!
The Everlasting Father!
The eternal Father!
The Prince of Peace!
The source of peace!
The Everlasting Father!
The eternal Father!
The Prince of Peace!
The source of peace!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Michael McLean
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@edwardbeers1668
All the songs are great and they have moved me. I am so Thankful to have heard them.
@chidote1howtodo
Thanks so much for posting this. I listened to this original score in 7th grade during a snow day home from school and have wanted to hear it again for 28 yrs and couldn't find it. I love Glenn Yarbrough's voice
@hugglebear69
Though I'm no longer LDS, the memory of "Forgotten Carols" has stayed with me, when others became bitter.
This song in particular gives me such hope that maybe, just maybe.... I really am worth something!
@GrantAmann
thanks for spreading the love, friend! hearing this helped me today.
@beverlygillis5199
oh you are worth something. Your soul is special!!! People may be flawed, but it does not mean we are not special with eternal worth, Take care of your special self. Merry Christmas
@haleydunn9091
You're worth everything. I don't know what happened, or anything about you, but everyone is worth Everything. I've actually just fully accepted myself for who I am and am helping other youth in the LDS church accept themselves too. And Forgotten Carols is such a beautiful story
@keilaniallen8690
"It's not fair! If you could hear what's in my heart, you'd let me sing!" cue me blubbering 😭😭❤️💕
@zagiproductions1630
My favorite scene😃
@nikocontra4216
Thank you
@utahvalleyhiking
How did you get this? I can’t find the original album anywhere