"I Believe"- Carrie Newcomer

Sometime last year, I discovered this singer-songwriter, Carrie Newcomer.  She came to me through an online newsletter I subscribe to, from the Center for Courage and Renewal. Parker Palmer (one of my heroes and writers who deeply influenced me) interviewed her, and she sang this song, "I Believe."

I was listening to this song on one of my walks recently, and I was reminded of why I bought her album. This song, "I Believe," just makes you happy, but not the Pharell kind of happy, a more spiritually satisfied kind of happy.  It made me think that we should all write a version of this song about what we believe. I don't mean to steal her copyrights to it; it would be just for our own personal edification, okay. Here are the lyrics, and maybe someday, I'll do my version of it, although her lyrics come pretty close to mine. (Not "the socks and gloves knit out of soft grey wool," but definitely "there's a place in heaven for those who teach in public school.")

I Believe

Words and Music by Carrie Newcomer

I believe there are some debts that we never can repay
I believe there are some words that you can never unsay And I don't know a single soul
Who didn’t get lost along the way.

I believe in socks and gloves knit out of soft grey wool, 
And that there's a place in heaven for those
Who teach in public school.
And I know I get some things right,
But mostly I'm a fool.

I believe in a good strong cup of ginger tea,
And all these shoots and roots will become a tree. 
All I know is I can’t help but see
All of this as so very holy.

I believe in jars of jelly put up by careful hands,
I believe most folks are doing about the best they can,
And I know there are some things that I will never understand.

I believe there’s healing in the sound of your voice,
 And that a summer tomato is a cause to rejoice, 
And that following a song was never really a choice. 
Never really.

I believe in a good long letter written on real paper and with real pen, 
I believe in the ones I love and know I’ll never see again,
I believe in the kindness of strangers and the comfort of old friends,
 And when I close my eyes to sleep at night it’s good to say,
“Amen”

I believe that life is comprised of smiles and sniffles and tears,
And in an old coat that still has another good year,
And I know that I get scared some times
But all I need is here.

I believe in a good strong cup of ginger tea,
And all these shoots and roots will become a tree,
All I know is I can’t help but see
All of this as so very holy,

I believe.