I don’t know about you, but there’s little I enjoy more than a new song that speaks to me in some way. I never paid attention to this song; one day it came on the radio and I listened to the lyrics and it blew me away. I have to be honest and say I don’t really like Natalie Merchant in general. But this song speaks right to my heart. Even if you’ve heard it before, listen again along with the lyrics. When I first paid attention to the words, it blew me away. It brings me to tears every time I listen to it. I just think of one little girl who is a miracle and changed my world forever…Olivia…and how this song must have been written just for her and me…and you.
Doctors have come from distant cities
Just to see me
Stand over my bed they’re disbelieving
What they’re seeing
They say, I must be one of the wonders
Of God’s own creation
And as far as they see they can offer
No explanation
Newspapers ask such intimate questions
They want confessions
They turn to my head, they try to steal the glory
Of my story
They say, I must be one of the wonders
Of God’s own creation
And as far as they see they can offer
No explanation
I believe
Fate, fate smiled and destiny
Laughed as she came to my cradle
“Know this child will be able”
And laughed as my body she lifted
“Know this child will be gifted…
With love, with patience and with faith…
She’ll make her way, 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
Of God’s own creation
And as far as they see they can offer
No explanation
I believe
Fate, fate smile and destiny
Laughed as she came to my cradle
“Know this child will be able”
And laughed as my body she lifted
“Know this child will be gifted”
And laughed as she came to my mother
“Know this child will not suffer
With love, with patience and with faith
She’ll make her way, make her way
Make her way, make her way”
Elastamom's Excerpts 
Wow, I must have heard that song a million times and not really listened to the words long enough to understand what she was singing about. I don’t really enjoy Natalie Merchant’s music either, but this song raises her several notches in my book 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
I wonder what the story is, behind this song. Sometimes I’m in the grocery store and it comes on and I have to cry, even tho I’ve heard it a thousand times over the years.
That’s amazing. I’ve heard this song a zillion times and I never stopped to think about the words … what they meant … what the song is about. Now that I’m reading the lyrics, I see its such a beautiful, profound song.
You know, I’ve heard that song probably a hundred times and listened to the lyrics and understood the meaning, but I never really considered what it must mean for a mom like you. I’ll never listen to it the same way again now!
This song has always been a favorite of mine. I see so many faces of so many inspiring little people whenever I hear this song. I see them now and your sweet girl is most assuredly among them 🙂 Thanks for the lovely reminder today!
I remember this song from my childhood and now it totally has a new meaning. Thanks for sharing.
I read the lyrics before listening and didn’t think I ever heard the song. Then I listended and couldn’t believe I’ve heard that song a zillion times. Then of course I cried… (shocker).
Then it makes me wonder what else I miss around me because I guess I don’t REALLY pay attention.
It’s funny–I was not a huge Merchant fan until a couple of years ago. When I was pregnant with my daughter, something really changed and all of her songs soothed me. This song, “Wonder,” was our theme song. I even put a couple of lines on the birth announcement. You should try “Leave Your Sleep,” too–great album full of poetry.
A beautiful perfect song. Have heard it before but truly has new meanings through your post. Thank you for sharing it.
new commenter/reader here. I think the song’s meaning is written about a child with special needs. I can’t remember but I do remember my friend telling me that this was the meaning behind the song. I wish I could remember more about the story. I love your blog.