The Wonder of it All
(Bob Nolan)
Let my heart on the wings of the four winds blow
To the shores of the seven seas,
And I’ll still hear His voice
In the wild winds rejoice.
Oh the wonder of it all ~ I know He’s watching me.
Refrain:
I have seen the pagan wonders in lands a-far away
And I’ve heard the sirens calling, “Come you back to Mandalay.”
I have crossed the rugged mountains and sailed the raging sea
But the wonder of it all ~ I know He’s watching me.
Every day, every step of my wandering way
Is in tune with the thundering sound.
From the high waterfall
To the deep canyon’s call
Comes the wonder of it all ~ I know He’s watching me.
There’s a bright silver bell ringing in my heart
Every time that I hear His name.
And the joys that extend
Through the hand of each friend,
That’s the wonder of it all ~ I know He’s watching me.
Christine Leonhardt photo "Aguas Calientes, Peru"
In 1997 Robert Wagoner composed a melody to the following lyrics which had been
given to him by Bob’s daughter, Roberta Mileusnich. Wagoner was unaware that Bob
had already set them to music.
“It really was a labor of love for me
to write music to Bob’s magnificent words. I tried to imagine what kind of a
melody line and chords he would have used. I’m sure I fell short but just to
have my name next to his as co-writer made it all so very important to me.”
(Robert Wagoner, July 1, 1998)
Bob’s melody was brisk and cheerful
while Mr. Wagoner’s was reverent in tone. We are told that Roberta preferred Mr.
Wagoner's melody.
The song, with music by Robert Wagoner was registered for copyright on August 21 1992.
Recordings:
Bob Nolan's original home demo
Robert Wagoner's recording “The Wonder of it All”, High Country Recording Studios (1998)
Cover of Robert Wagoner's “The
Wonder of it All”, High Country Recording Studios (1998)