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
The Innkeeper
Michael McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No one recalls my name
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 turned them away...
I didn't sleep that evening
Though I'd sold out my place
Somehow I felt uneasy
Something about her face
Why did 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
I walked the streets all night
Lost in the world I lived in
Found by a heavenly light
Staring at one bright star in the sky
I heard a baby cry
And I knew where that cry
Had come from
'Cuz 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
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 song "The Innkeeper" by Michael McLean portrays the emotions and thoughts of the innkeeper who denied accommodation to Mary and Joseph on that fateful night when Jesus was born. Though he made a profit by turning them away, he was left with an overwhelming feeling of guilt and remorse for missing the chance to witness the greatest miracle of all time. He walks the streets restlessly all night before being led to the manger by a bright star and hearing the baby's cry. In the end, he confesses his sins to the baby Jesus and experiences His forgiveness.
The lyrics of the song are a beautiful depiction of the innate human desire to be forgiven and to find peace. They also bring to light the reality of missed opportunities in life, and how a single decision can have a lasting impact on our lives. The innkeeper is a reminder that we have to be selective of the choices we make, and sometimes, we might not have a second chance to correct our wrongs.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a man forgotten
I am a man who nobody remembers
No one recalls my name
Nobody knows who I am
Thousands of years will fail to
Fully erase my shame
Even after thousands of years, I will still be ashamed of what I did
But I turned a profit
Nicely the day
That I turned the couple away
I turned them away...
But I made a good profit on the day I turned the couple away from my inn
I didn't sleep that evening
Though I'd sold out my place
Somehow I felt uneasy
Something about her face
I couldn't sleep that night, even though my inn was full. There was something about the woman's face that made me feel uneasy
Why did I wish
That I'd let them stay?
I didn't think they could pay
Or could they have paid?
Why did I regret not letting the couple stay? I didn't think they had money, or did they?
Restless, I left my bedroom
I walked the streets all night
Lost in the world I lived in
Found by a heavenly light
I couldn't sleep and I walked outside all night, feeling lost in my own world. Then I saw a heavenly light
Staring at one bright star in the sky
I heard a baby cry
And I knew where that cry
Had come from
As I looked at the bright star in the sky, I heard a baby cry and I knew where it was coming from
'Cuz I'd told them where
they could go
But I didn't think I could face them
And so I walked slowly home
I had told the couple where they could go, but I didn't think I could face them, so I walked home slowly
Missing my chance
To share in their joy
I never saw the boy
I missed the chance to share in the couple's joy and I never got to see their baby boy
He never would condemn me
I did that all on my own
He offered His forgiveness
And ever since then, I've known
God never condemned me, I did that to myself. He offered me forgiveness, and ever since then, I've known
He lets us choose
Each hour of each day
If we'll let Him in to stay
God gives us the freedom to choose whether or not we will let Him stay with us at any moment of any day
Let Him in
Let Him in
Let the peace on earth begin
Let Him in
Let Him in
Let the hope and joy begin
We should invite God into our lives, and as we do, peace, hope, and joy will 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)
No matter where you are today, whether in your own world or a crowded Bethlehem Inn, find a way to make room for God and invite 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)
When we invite God into our lives, hope, joy, and peace will begin, and we should continue to let Him in every day
Contributed by Callie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@christiangibbs8534
I've been looking for this version on youtube for years. Thatks so much for sharing.
@Himedits-nl1pi
One of the best and underrated Christmas movies ever! Beautiful Music.
@donnachatterton6298
The very best version..
@wendie8290
Agreed.
@mariazamarripa8274
These are so beautiful, so much peace to the soul. Any time of the year. Thank you Brother McLean.
@jeffwhittington5057
I was part of a choir who performed 'The Forgotten Carols' an experience I will never forget- thank you for sharing.
@derzeichner2192
This music was truly inspired
@haleyfitz-simmons5735
Yes, it was❣️
@kaitlingower7618
Best song ever ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@ryanwiddison7152
Definitely need the message of these forgotten carols here in 2020