Olivier Award winner, Ruthie Henshall was born on March 7 in Bromley, Engla… Read Full Bio ↴Olivier Award winner, Ruthie Henshall was born on March 7 in Bromley, England.

She has been dancing for most of her life and has appeared in such shows as "Cats" and "A Chorus line."

Ms. Henshall has recorded three albums, 'Love is Here to Stay, ' a tribute to the music of the Gershwins and two others entitled 'Pilgrim' and 'The Ruthie Henshall Album.'

This multi-talented star of the stage can sing from a low belt to a high soprano. She also is an excellent actress who effortlessly moves audiences to tears.

Ruthie Henshall has played Ellen in "Miss Saigon, " Fantine in "Les Miserables, " Nancy in "Oliver, " and both Velma and Roxie in "Chicago." She and Michael Ball received the Theatregoer's Club of Great Britain Award for Most Popular Musical Stage Actor and Actress. Ruthie made her debut on Broadway in "Putting it Together."

She is married to Canadian-born, UK based singer (lead singer for the UK based band Van Tramp) and actor Tim Howar. They have two daughters.

Pilgrim
Ruthie Henshall Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Pilgrim how you journey
On the road you choose
To find out where the winds die
And where the stories go

All days come from one day
That much you must know
You cannot change what's over

But only where you go

One way leads to diamonds
One way leads to gold
Another leads you only
To everything you're told

In your heart you wonder
Which of these is true
The road that leads to nowhere
The road that leads to you

Will you find the answer
In all you say and do?
Will you find the answer
In you?

Each heart is a pilgrim
Each one wants to know
The reason that the winds die
And where the stories go

Pilgrim in your journey
You may travel far
But pilgrim it's a long way
To find out who you are

Pilgrim it's a long way
To find out who you are

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ruthie Henshall’s “Pilgrim” are about the journey of self-discovery. The song speaks to the human desire to understand and explore the world around us, and to search for answers to the big questions about ourselves and our place in the world. Through metaphor and imagery, the song encourages listeners to embrace their own unique journey and to trust in the path they have chosen.

The song’s opening lines, “Pilgrim how you journey / On the road you choose / To find out where the winds die / And where the stories go,” speak to the idea of personal choice and the importance of forging our own path in life. The imagery of wind and stories suggests the unknown and the possibility of discovery, highlighting the excitement and uncertainty of the journey ahead.

The lyrics also acknowledge the inevitability of our past experiences and how they have shaped who we are: “All days come from one day / That much you must know / You cannot change what's over / But only where you go.” This sentiment encourages us to look forward rather than dwelling on the past, recognizing that while we cannot change what has already happened, we do have control over our future choices.

As the song progresses, it poses the question of what we are seeking on our journey: “One way leads to diamonds / One way leads to gold / Another leads you only / To everything you're told / In your heart you wonder / Which of these is true / The road that leads to nowhere / The road that leads to you.” Here, the lyrics suggest that there are many paths we may take in life, but it is up to us to determine which will lead us to true fulfillment and self-discovery.

The chorus of the song, “Each heart is a pilgrim / Each one wants to know / The reason that the winds die / And where the stories go,” emphasizes that the journey of self-discovery and exploration is a universal human experience. We all have a desire to understand ourselves and the world around us, and the process of seeking answers is an ongoing, lifelong journey.

Overall, “Pilgrim” offers a poignant message about the importance of embracing our own unique journey through life and trusting in our own ability to discover the answers we seek.

Line by Line Meaning

Pilgrim how you journey
Oh, adventurer, how you wander

On the road you choose
Selecting the path you wish to tread

To find out where the winds die
Discovering the final destination of the winds' journey

And where the stories go
Locating the whereabouts of the tales weaved by the winds

All days come from one day
Every day has a beginning

That much you must know
Be aware of this fact

You cannot change what's over
The past cannot be altered

But only where you go
But the future is in your hands

One way leads to diamonds
One path leads to riches

One way leads to gold
Another path leads to treasure

Another leads you only
A third path takes you down