On Natalie Merchant’s 1995 Tigerlily album is a song entitled, Wonder. Some have connected this song to Down syndrome, although my research on the subject hasn’t uncovered any specific connection between Merchant and Down syndrome (if you have found something that differs from this, please let me know). The reason, however, that this connection has been made is because the music video includes a young woman with Down syndrome along with other diverse women.
The song mentions the term gifted, and as someone who used to work with gifted children, I think that Merchant is not necessarily using the term to describe those with high IQs, but to describe the way unique women can have impact upon others. She uses a variety of women in her video to demonstrate the gifts of different women from different races, generations, backgrounds, and ability. We all have something to offer the world, especially individuals with Down syndrome. We should also think positively about our future and what we have to offer the world. I am touched by this song when it comes to Quinn. I really love the chorus and how at one point in the video Merchant speaks directly to the young woman with Down syndrome. I have also included another YouTube clip below which has a moving performance of Merchant singing the song while playing the piano. I always loved hearing Wonder, it inspires me personally as an individual, a mother, and a woman. Let’s all think about the wonder we have to offer the world.
"Wonder"
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
Of god's own creation
And as far as they can 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
Of god's own creation
And as far as they can 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
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 you can 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
Breaking Point
1 year ago
Love, love, love the song! Did you see the video on my blog of the girl with Down syndrome in the original video all grown up?
ReplyDeletethen go marry, marry marry it geek
DeleteIn an interview I just read Natlie Merchant said her base players sister has Down Syndrome. She did not tie the song to it in the interview that I read.
ReplyDeleteAdore this song. She explains the song meaning here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TZ-v5BW-pQ
Good luck on your crusade :)
The song is about being a clairvoyant....almost 110% positive on that
ReplyDeleteI think the song refers to being born with a veil or caul. In medieval times the appearance of a caul on a newborn baby was a sign of good luck. The veil was considered an omen that the child was destined for greatness.
ReplyDeleteAngie points the right way in terms of what Natalie Merchant meant by the song. It is about an experience she had when she was 15 years old working with down's syndrome children.
ReplyDeletethe song was about biting big balls lol
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"There are moments when I’m really satisfied. I’m really satisfied with a song I wrote on “Tiger Lily” called “Carnival,” and I don’t think I’ve ever done a concert that didn’t include that song. I always do it. And “Wonder” from that same album.
ReplyDeleteEven in 10,000 Maniacs there are moments like that. Sometimes I feel like I wrote songs that I didn’t quite understand in the moment when I wrote them. I didn’t completely understand what I was writing. I was just using language I thought was appropriate, but the meaning only really revealed itself to me later. Or it deepened.
I think that’s true of “Wonder,” because I’ve met so many people who have a strong attachment to that song because they gave birth to children who have physical and mental challenges. I wrote it when I didn’t have a child, and I didn’t know how deeply it was going to be received by people. I’ve met doctors and nurses who tell me that the lyrics can be found posted in preemie wards and in nurseries. It’s become an anthem for children with challenges. When the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp had their 25th anniversary campaign, they used “Wonder” as their theme song, and I went to the camp and sang it with about a dozen kids who were going through chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. They expressed so much joy when they were singing.
So the songs really change when they leave my hands and go out into the world. And I hear stories from people about the relationships they have with the songs, and that changes their meaning for me as well. It’s very interactive."
~ Natalie Merchant
Nice catch, this interview. As she has said, she wrote from the experience of working with handicapped kids when she was young; but as she also says, songs are more than their antecedents. This can be about each of us, which is what makes it so powerful. Each of us should feel the wonder of who we are and try to live up to that gift of love, of patience, and of grace.
ReplyDeleteNice catch, this interview. As she has said, she wrote from the experience of working with handicapped kids when she was young; but as she also says, songs are more than their antecedents. This can be about each of us, which is what makes it so powerful. Each of us should feel the wonder of who we are and try to live up to that gift of love, of patience, and of grace.
ReplyDelete