Ortega was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico near the banks of the Rio Grande. He started learning piano at eight years of age. Through his father's work with the United States Department of State, he also spent time in Ecuador and Barbados. It is from his heritage and classical training at The University of New Mexico where Ortega derives his sound, embracing country, classical, Celtic, Latin American, world, modern folk, and rustic hymnody. Fernando Ortega currently leads worship at Christ the King Anglican Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
His album Storm reached No. 197 on the Billboard 200 in 2002, and Christmas Songs reached No. 36 on the Billboard Christmas Album Chart in 2009.
Don't Let Me Come Home A Stranger
Fernando Ortega Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To breathe the air and soothe my mind,
I thought of friends and the home I had,
And all those things I left behind.
A silent star shone on me,
My eyes saw a far horizon,
As if to pierce this veil of time,
Will there come a time when the memories fade.
and pass on with the long, long years,
When the ties no longer bind?
Lord save me from this darkest fear.
Don't let me come home a stranger,
I couldn't stand to be a stranger.
The first verse of Fernando Ortega's song "Don't Let Me Come Home A Stranger" describes a person taking a walk outside to clear their mind. While walking, they start to think about friends and the home they left behind. The person starts to feel like they are in a prison on earth and sees a star shining on them, as if it is a sign of hope. The person feels like they are trying to escape the limitations of time and space.
The second verse is more reflective and contemplative. The person begins to worry about the passage of time and the memory of their friends and family fading away. They fear that they will become a stranger to the people and the place they once called home. The person prays to God to save them from becoming a stranger, stating that they couldn't bear the thought of being unknown and disconnected from the ones they love.
Overall, the song explores the themes of homesickness, nostalgia, and the fear of being forgotten. It touches on the idea that the ties we have with our past and our loved ones are what make us feel connected and rooted in this world. Without those ties, we risk feeling lost and alone.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walked out one evening
During one evening, while I was outside wandering around.
To breathe the air and soothe my mind
I went outside to take a breath and calm down my thoughts.
I thought of friends and the home I had
My thoughts drifted towards my friends and my old home.
And all those things I left behind
I remembered everything that I had to leave behind when I moved away.
A silent star shone on me
The quiet but noticeable light of a star was shining on me.
My eyes saw a far horizon
I was able to see long distances ahead of me.
As if to pierce this veil of time
It was as if the long distance was breaking through the barrier of time.
And escape this earthly prison
And that long distance gave me thoughts of leaving this physical world.
Will there come a time when the memories fade
Is there a moment when my recollections will start to disappear?
And pass on with the long, long years
Will my memories go on their way with the passing time?
When the ties no longer bind?
What will happen when I no longer feel tied to these memories?
Lord save me from this darkest fear
God, I ask you to give me the strength to overcome this frightening worry.
Don't let me come home a stranger
Please don't let me lose my familiarity with my old home.
I couldn't stand to be a stranger
It would be unbearable for me if I found myself in such an unfamiliar situation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEROME CLARK, ROBIN WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Janice Bultman Bogott
on Into Your Presence
Is there anywhere I can get the sheet music for piano for this song? I just love it!!