Thanks to Jim Adams, for hosting Song Lyric Sunday. All the rules, and future themes are at Jim’s site. Why not have a look around when you visit, there are other prompts, and other musical themed posts, as well as short fiction.
The theme this week is – Fate, Fortune, Luck.
As usual, I had several songs pop into my head. My first thought was Sister Luck by the Black Crowes, but I’ve used them before, and may have used that song… I’m too lazy to check. The next song that came to mind has been played often lately by the DJ In My Head. Yep! That’s the one to go with.
Wonder was written by Natalie Merchant, and it was the second single from her 1995 first solo album, Tigerlily. Wonder reached number twenty on Billboard’s Hot 100, and number two on Billboard’s Adult Top 40.
Before embarking on her solo career, Natalie Merchant was the lead singer for the band 10,000 Maniacs from 1981 until 1993. She went solo to have more creative control.
Per Songfacts “When she was a teenager, Natalie Merchant worked at a day camp for special needs children, many of whom had been institutionalized since infancy and abandoned by their parents. This song was inspired by that experience.”
That bit of info was new to me. Most of you know that King Ben is autistic. He has very high support needs, and may never lead an independent life. The lyrics have a deeper meaning to me now, I have a new appreciation for a song that I already really liked.
Doctors have come from distant cities
Just to see me
Stand over my bed
Disbelieving what they’re seeing
They say I must be one of the wonders
God’s own creation
And as far as they see they can offer
No explanation
Newspapers ask intimate questions
Want confessions
They reach into my head
To steal the glory of my story
They say I must be one of the wonders
God’s own creation
And as far as they see they can offer
No explanation
O, I believe
Fate smiled and destiny
Laughed as she came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience and with faith
She’ll make her way,
She’ll make her way!
People see me
I’m a challenge to your balance
I’m over your heads
How I confound you and astound you
To know I must be one of the wonders
God’s own creation
And as far as you see you can offer me
No explanation
O, I believe
Fate smiled and destiny
Laughed as she came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as she came to my mother
Know this child will not suffer
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience and with faith
She’ll make her way!
She’ll make her way!
She’ll make her way!
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Do you have a favorite song about Fate, Fortune or Luck? Let me know in comments, or join the #SLS fun and create your own post. Thanks for stopping by.
(I’m still on semi-hiatus, but plan to continue with this prompt until I’m back to spamming up your comments full time.)
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HUGS!!
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King Ben's Grandma 
There’s lyrics are so moving and free your explanation, they do have deeper impact.
Stay safe and healthy my friend. Hugs.
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Thanks Sadje! Ben is on break from school now, so we will be all be being hermits😉🤗🥰
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Take care. When is the school break ending?
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August 30th is GLYSB Day… not that I’m counting days or anything😉
Has the situation there improved? Will your grandson be able to attend school or will you be helping him with online again?
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We are still waiting for the school to let us know. Actually it’s the provincial government that will decide if the school opens in person or online.
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I think 10,000 Maniacs was one of those bands I knew I liked but never took any effort to get to know (preinternet and all). I like this song. Mellow folky guitars. Good stuff.
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I felt the same about 10000 Maniacs. I really liked this song and her 1st single from Tigerlily, “Carnival” (which I see is a prompt word🤦🏼♀️😂)
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It is really great when you can find meaning from a song and thanks for sharing your story Angie.
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The new info was like rediscovering the song. I saw the Down Syndrome girl in the video and just thought “Yay! Diversity”, but it’s cool to learn there’s so much more to it.
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Love her ❤️🎶
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💃🏼🎶🥳
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Hugs in return, Angie! I must say the tequila fests at Bonnywood aren’t quite the same without you, but I ‘get’ it. I’ve taken a fair amount of time ‘off’ myself lately. What a great choice!! Now I’ll never hear this song and not think of you and King Ben. ❤
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I’ve popped in to Bonnywood a couple times, but I admit that the dent in my favorite seat is recovering 🤪 We introverted hermits need time away from even digital soirees at times, non?
Like Arnold says… I’ll be back😉
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I like this song a lot and never knew that about Natalie Merchant or what the song meant. The song definitely has a deeper meaning and appreciation from me from now on!
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One of the fun things about this prompt is learning more about the songs.
She mostly dealt with Down Syndrome children, but it’s not hard to imagine autistic children being left in institutions in the 70s.
Love, patience and faith… Yep! 🥰 especially the patience, right?🤪😂💕
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Definitely!
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I never realised that. So understand the song better now. Makes it even more meaningful ❤️❤️❤️
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Love, patience and faith! Our kiddos will make their way for sure!
I always liked this song, and Natalie Merchant in general, but when I read about her inspiration for this song, I admit it made me cry a little🥲
💌💌💌
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Wow.. I love it even more now 🌷❤️ It’s perfect 🎶🌟
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It made me cry a little when I read about her volunteer work in the 70s.
ALL children need love, patience and faith. All adults too for that matter.
It’s cool to learn new things about songs I like, and find new songs too💃🏼🎶🦋💕🌈✨
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It’s not a song I’d heard before – very moving and I can see why it must be special for you. I’ve worked for many years with children and adults with learning disabilities. I also volunteered at an institution where some of the residents had grown up and lived all their lives, having been abandoned as babies. It was a sad place and, thankfully, closed down a few years after I left. The remaining residents were moved into smaller home settings. Things have improved and we have a better understanding about these issues but it’s still tough for parents and carers. There’s not enough support and help. Covid has emphasized this! You do a brilliant job. 💕
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Thank you! Luckily there were three of us when Ben was little and at his most dangerous. We worried about his teen years with the anger that sometimes happens with boys especially, but he’s learning to self regulate more (knock on wood) and we haven’t had any scary issues in a while.
Lack of support is huge! We went through countless steps to try to get help and they could give us was one person for one hour a week for respite. What good would that do? I wouldn’t trust that one person that he doesn’t know, could keep him safe.
It IS getting better, but still has a long way to go.
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