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
Safe Harbors
Michael McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The battles they've been waging are from very private wars.
There are no correspondence documenting all their grief.
But these refugees among us all are yearning for relief.
There are refugees among us they don't carry flag or signs.
They are standing right beside us in the market checkout lines.
And the war that they've been fighting will not be televised.
Can you see through their disguises?
Can you hear what words won't tell?
Some are losing faith in heaven cause their live's a living hell.
Is there anyone to help those who have no one else to plea?
Because the only arms protecting them belong to you and me.
This is a call to arms to reach out
And to hold the evacuees from the dark.
This is a call to arms to lead
Anguished souls to safe harbors of the heart.
Can you hear the pleas from the refugees to safe harbors of the heart?
The lyrics of Michael McLean's song "Safe Harbors" are a powerful depiction of the struggles of refugees who may not be from foreign shores but who are still fighting private internal battles that are just as difficult. These refugees are not carrying flags or signs, and their stories are not documented in correspondence or televised on screens. Instead, they are standing in line at the market, living their everyday lives, masked by disguises that hide their pain; yet, their need for relief and love is apparent in the stories that are written in their eyes.
McLean implores the listener to see through their disguises and hear what their words may not say, for many are losing faith in heaven because their lives have become living hells. Even more distressing is the fact that some of these refugees may have no one to turn to for help, and it is left to the collective efforts of society to lend a hand and offer them the safe harbor of the heart.
The call to arms in this song is a powerful one, urging the listener to reach out to hold the evacuees from the dark and lead them towards safe harbors of the heart. It's a poignant reminder that we all have a role to play in creating a society that is compassionate, empathetic, and supportive. At its core, "Safe Harbors" is a reminder that everyone has their own personal struggles and pain, and that we should approach each other with kindness, empathy, and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
There are refugees among us who are not from foreign shores.
There are people around us who are struggling in their personal battles even though they aren't from foreign lands.
The battles they've been waging are from very private wars.
These people are dealing with really personal issues that they are fighting independently.
There are no correspondence documenting all their grief.
There's no written or physical documentation detailing the struggles these people are facing and the pain it causes.
But these refugees among us all are yearning for relief.
Despite no physical record of pain, these people are yearning for someone to witness their struggles and seek help for them.
There are refugees among us they don't carry flag or signs.
These people don't openly or publically show their suffering.
They are standing right beside us in the market checkout lines.
They appear like normal people in our everyday lives, they are ordinary individuals.
And the war that they've been fighting will not be televised.
These people are fighting a personal battle that isn't broadcasted to the world.
But the story of their need for love is written in their eyes.
Their eyes depict their inner struggle that needs love, care, and support from others.
Can you see through their disguises?
Can we recognize beyond their normal appearance and look through them?
Can you hear what words won't tell?
Can we feel and understand the pain which they could not express through their words?
Some are losing faith in heaven cause their live's a living hell.
Some might lose hope and faith in the existence of God because their current situation is so miserable.
Is there anyone to help those who have no one else to plea?
Is there anyone willing to aid and support an individual in need, when they can't ask themselves?
Because the only arms protecting them belong to you and me.
We are the ones who can offer the needed care, and thus the responsibility lies on our shoulders to support people in need.
This is a call to arms to reach out
This is a call to extend our support towards those in need.
And to hold the evacuees from the dark.
We must help those who are lost and feel trapped in their agonies and provide them with the much-needed support.
This is a call to arms to lead
This is a call to educate others and motivate them to support the needy.
Anguished souls to safe harbors of the heart.
These individuals are seeking solace and comfort, and we must lead them towards such safe harbors to help them feel secure and protected.
Can you hear the pleas from the refugees to safe harbors of the heart?
Can we listen to the plea of these individuals seeking help and provide them with the much-needed support and care they deserve?
Writer(s): michael mclean
Contributed by Julia S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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