I Wonder As I Wander

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Melody - Seq. by Bill Egan
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Traditional Appalachian carol, adapted or re-written by John Jacob Niles, 1892-1980

I wonder as I wander out under the sky,
How Jesus, the Savior, did come for to die.
For poor, ornery people like you and like I
I wonder as I wander
Out under the sky.

2. When Mary birthed Jesus, 'twas in a cows' stall,
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all.
But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall,
And the promise of ages
It did then recall.

3. If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing:
A star in the sky, or a bird on the wing;
Or all of God's angels in heaven to sing,
He surely could have had it,
'Cause He was the King!


For many years, Niles was considered a collector of folk songs. However, he may be more like Robert Burns, who took fragments of old songs and masterfully re-worked them into something new. In either case, enjoy.

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