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
Let Him In
Michael McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No one recalls my name
And thousands of years will fail to
Fully erase my shame
But I turned a profit
Nicely the day
That I turned the couple away
I didn't sleep that evening
Though I'd sold out my place
Somehow I felt uneasy
Something about her face
Why do I wish
That I'd let them stay?
I didn't think they could pay
Or could they have paid?
Restless, I left my bedroom
And I walked the streets all night
Lost in the world I lived in
Found by hеavenly light
Staring at one bright star in the sky
I hеard a baby cry
And I knew where that cry
Had come from
'Cause I'd told them where they could go
But I didn't think I could face them
And so I walked
Slowly home
Missing my chance
To share in their joy
I never saw the boy
He never would condemn me
I did that all on my own
He offered His forgiveness
And ever since then, I've known
That He lets us choose
Each hour of each day
If we'll let Him in to stay
Let Him in
Let Him in
Let the peace on earth begin
Let Him in
Let Him in
Let the hope and joy begin
And whether it be
In your world today
Or a crowded Bethlehem Inn
Find a way
(Find a way)
Make Him room
(Make Him room)
Let Him in
Let Him in
(Let Him in)
Let the hope and joy begin
(It's beginning)
Let Him in
(Let Him in)
Let Him in
(Let Him in)
Let the peace on earth begin
(It's beginning)
Let Him in
(Let Him in)
Let Him in
(Let Him in)
Let Him in
Let Him in
(Let Him in)
The lyrics of Michael McLean's song "Let Him In" tell a powerful story of remorse, redemption, and the transformative power of letting Christ into one's life. The singer, a forgotten man burdened by shame, recalls the day when he turned a couple away. He admits that he turned a profit that day, but deep down, he felt uneasy, especially about the woman's face. There was something that made him wish he had let them stay despite doubting their ability to pay.
Unable to sleep, the singer wanders the streets all night, lost in his own world. It is in this state of restlessness that he is found by heavenly light. As he stares at a bright star in the sky, he hears a baby cry and realizes where it came from. He recognizes that he had told the couple where they could go but didn't have the courage to face them, missing his opportunity to share in their joy and see the child.
But despite his self-condemnation, the singer discovers that Jesus never condemns him; it is something he has done to himself. Jesus offers him forgiveness, and from that moment on, he understands that each person has the choice to let Jesus into their lives every day and experience the peace, hope, and joy that comes with it.
The song ultimately calls for individuals to find a way to make room for Jesus in their lives, to let Him in and let the hope and joy begin. Whether it is in the world today or a crowded Bethlehem inn, the message remains the same: open your heart to Him and let His presence bring peace and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a man forgotten
I am a person who has been disregarded and overlooked
No one recalls my name
No one remembers or acknowledges who I am
And thousands of years will fail to fully erase my shame
Even the passage of time won't completely erase the guilt and regret I feel
But I turned a profit nicely the day
However, I made a significant monetary gain that day
That I turned the couple away
When I chose to reject and send the couple away
I turned them away...
I refused to allow them access or acceptance
I didn't sleep that evening
I couldn't find rest or peace during that night
Though I'd sold out my place
Even though I had successfully filled my establishment to capacity
Somehow I felt uneasy
Inexplicably, I experienced a feeling of discomfort or unease
Something about her face
There was something in her expression or countenance
Why do I wish that I'd let them stay?
Why do I regret not allowing them to remain?
I didn't think they could pay
I didn't believe they had the means to compensate me
Or could they have paid?
Could they have actually had the ability to offer payment?
Restless, I left my bedroom
Feeling unsettled, I departed from my sleeping quarters
And I walked the streets all night
I roamed the roads throughout the entire night
Lost in the world I lived in
Feeling disoriented and detached from the reality around me
Found by heavenly light
Guided and discovered through a divine illumination
Staring at one bright star in the sky
Gazing fixedly at a single radiant star in the firmament
I heard a baby cry
I perceived the sound of an infant's weeping
And I knew where that cry had come from
And I understood the origin of that lamentation
'Cause I'd told them where they could go
Because I had directed and informed them about their possible destination
But I didn't think I could face them
Yet, I doubted my ability to confront them
And so I walked slowly home
Therefore, I ambled sluggishly back to my abode
Missing my chance to share in their joy
Regretfully, I forfeited my opportunity to partake in their happiness
I never saw the boy
I never had the privilege of witnessing the child
He never would condemn me
He never judged or reproached me
I did that all on my own
I, alone, brought about my own guilt and remorse
He offered His forgiveness
He extended His pardon and absolution
And ever since then, I've known
And from that moment onward, I have been aware
That He lets us choose each hour of each day
That He allows us the freedom to decide at every moment of every day
If we'll let Him in to stay
If we will allow Him to enter and remain with us
Let Him in
Invite Him inside
Let Him in
Grant His entry
Let the peace on earth begin
Allow the commencement of tranquility on Earth
Let Him in
Permit His presence
Let Him in
Accept Him
Let the hope and joy begin
Initiate the arrival of hope and joy
And whether it be in your world today
Regardless of whether it occurs in your current reality
Or a crowded Bethlehem Inn
Or during a busy night at an inn in Bethlehem
Find a way
Discover a means
(Find a way)
(Discover a means)
Make Him room
Create a space for Him
(Make Him room)
(Create a space for Him)
Let Him in
Allow Him to enter
Let Him in
Give Him access
(Let Him in)
(Allow Him to enter)
Let Him in
Permit His presence
Let Him in
Accept Him
(Let Him in)
(Permit His presence)
Let Him in
Invite Him inside
Let Him in
Grant His entry
(Let Him in)
(Invite Him inside)
Let the peace on earth begin
Allow the commencement of tranquility on Earth
(It's beginning)
(It is starting)
Let Him in
Permit His presence
Let Him in
Accept Him
(Let Him in)
(Permit His presence)
Let Him in
Allow Him to enter
Let Him in
Give Him access
(Let Him in)
(Allow Him to enter)
Let Him in
Permit His presence
Let Him in
Accept Him
(Let Him in)
(Permit His presence)
Let Him in
Invite Him inside
Let Him in
Grant His entry
(Let Him in)
(Invite Him inside)
Let Him in
Permit His presence
Let Him in
Accept Him
(Let Him in)
(Permit His presence)
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Michael McLean
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ana
on Mary Let Me Hold Her Baby
❤ Best songs ever
Sage Boyer
on What Is Real
It's Real- by Michael McLean
The truth we all must seek; has not been concealed.
If we ask prayerfully, and look, we will see;
everything testifies it's real.
And all the Lord has made, and all His works reveal;
There's a purpose and plan, for the family of man.
And everything testifies it's real.
And every person upon the earth;
can know in their hearts if it's true.
And though it's a struggle; we're not left alone.
And if we have faith, He'll see us through.
And when we see his face; what peace and joy we'll feel!
At the glory of Him, our hearts burn within;
for He testifies that his gospel is real!
And no one can deny; and every soul will kneel,
for with His life, He testified-It's real