I Wonder As I Wander
New York Choral Society; Peter Paul and Mary Lyrics
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How Jesus the Saviour had come for to die
For poor orn'ry creatures like you and like I
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
When Mary birthed Jesus, 'twas in a cow's stall
With wisemen and shepherds and farmers and all
And high in the heavens a star's light did fall
If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing
Like a star in the sky, or a bird on the wing
Or all of God's angels in heav'n for to sing
Well, he surely could have had them, for he was their King
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour had come for to die
For poor orn'ry creatures like you and like I
I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.
The song "I Wonder as I Wander" by Peter Paul and Mary is a folk tune that reflects on the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The first verse expresses a sense of awe and wonder as the singer wanders under the vast sky, contemplating how Jesus, the Savior, came to die for "poor orn'ry creatures" like themselves. The second verse speaks of the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth in a lowly cow's stall, witnessed by wise men, shepherds, and farmers alike. The star that shone in the sky on that night symbolizes the promise of salvation that Jesus would bring to humanity.
The third verse is a reflection on Jesus' power and divinity. If he had desired anything, even the stars, the birds or all the angels of heaven to sing for him, he could have had them because he was their King. In this way, the song emphasizes the Christian belief that Jesus was not just an ordinary man but also the Son of God with the power to perform extraordinary feats.
Overall, "I Wonder as I Wander" is a powerful and introspective song that evokes the wonder and awe of the Christmas story. It speaks to the spiritual significance of Christ's birth and how it changed the world forever.
Line by Line Meaning
I wonder, as I wander out under the sky
I contemplate and ponder as I stroll freely outside, gazing up at the vast expanse above me.
How Jesus the Saviour had come for to die
I am amazed that Jesus, the one who saves us, has come to earth with the sole purpose of sacrificing himself on the cross.
For poor orn'ry creatures like you and like I
He has done so for people like me, who are humble and lowly in nature.
When Mary birthed Jesus, 'twas in a cow's stall
The birth of Jesus occurred in a stable intended for cows, with the presence of wise men, shepherds, and farmers.
With wisemen and shepherds and farmers and all
People from different walks of life witnessed the birth of Jesus, including wise men, shepherds and farmers.
And high in the heavens a star's light did fall
A bright star appeared in the sky, serving as a promise of a momentous occasion.
'Twas the promise of the ages, it then did recall
The star was a reminder of a promise made long ago that this event would occur.
If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing
If Jesus had desired anything at all,
Like a star in the sky, or a bird on the wing
Be it a star, a bird in the sky or anything else,
Or all of God's angels in heav'n for to sing
Or even if he had wished for all the angels of heaven to sing his praise,
Well, he surely could have had them, for he was their King
He could have easily had his wishes fulfilled, considering him the King of all the angels.
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
I continue to contemplate as I stroll beneath the open sky.
How Jesus the Saviour had come for to die
I am still amazed that Jesus, the one who saves us, chose to come to earth and give up his life for us.
For poor orn'ry creatures like you and like I
Once again, I am reminded of the fact that he has done this for people like me, who are unworthy and unremarkable.
I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.
My contemplation and musings continue as I wander aimlessly beneath the expansive sky.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JULE STYNE, SAMMY CAHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind