Alita's Song

On a recent trip to Ashland, OR to see a Shakespeare show with my mom, we stayed with long time family friends, Mike & Diana Warner and their daughter Katie. Although we were only there for the weekend, Mike wrote a song for me about my going to Africa and sang it for me during their church service on Sunday morning. My mom & I sat there in tears the whole time! Here are the lyrics: (By the way, this could easily be titled "Kelly's Song," or "Carrie's Song, or "Greg's Song" as well.)

Alita's Song

by Mike Warner

Some people wander life aimless

Others seek riches and charms

Some people stay

In lands far away

So the lonely can lie in their arms

Which we become is a mystery

What is it that turns us around

Sometimes the wise

Sometimes the despised

Pour out their souls on the ground

And Jesus, He was a rambler

Never called any place home.

He wandered lands

And offered his hands

To the young and the sick and the old

Ours is a land blessed with plenty

Some say it's more than our share

And yet there are those

Whose willingness rose

To give away more than is fair.

And this is the path you have taken

No one can walk it but you.

A desperate chance

To share in a dance

That almost none of us knew.

And Jesus, He was a rambler

I sense that you will be too.

A delicate life

Against suffering and strife

Even after you've costed it through

I don't believe in nations

But I believe in you

To stand in the road

Shoulder the load

And change the world when you do

And change the world when you do

I wish we all could be ramblers

But only some of us do.

Lay down the money

The milk and the honey

Trade a cause for the life that we knew

And if that's the life you are choosing

You know that there's no turning cold

For once you have tasted

The life that ain't wasted

It runs like a drug through your soul.

And Jesus, he was a rambler

And you crave the life that He owns.

Once you're a rambler

An idealist gambler

You'll feel the call in your bones.

You'll live your life as a rambler

You will call every place home

You'll wander the lands

And offer your hands

To the young and the sick and the old

To the young and the sick and the old

To the young and the sick and the old

Copyright 2005 Mike Warner.

Cool song, huh?! Thanks, Mike! It really means a lot to me. :)