He Walks with the Wild and the Lonely
Bob Nolan
Original copyright: March 19, 1963
His smile in the downpour of sunbeams,
His voice in the deep forest wind,
His footstep so light in the gentle rain,
He walks with the wild and the lonely.
His arms in the wide-spreading rainbow,
His mantle adrift in the clouds,
His footstep so light in the gathering stars,
He walks with the wild and the lonely.
So fear I not now of the dark and the still
Nor the sound of a great storm a-borning.
So fear I not now for I know that Thou
Will be standing close by in the morning.
His promise the bright gold of autumn
Fulfilled in the new green of spring.
His footstep so light in the virgin snow,
He walks with the wild and the lonely.
ABOUT THIS SONG
"Of all my works," Bob Nolan wrote Dick Goodman in a 1973 letter, "this one song poem is my own special favorite." It was registered for copyright on March 19, 1963 and sheet music was published that year by Manna Music Inc.
One of the compositions of his later years, the subject always intrigued Bob. He was continually exploring his philosophical beliefs. "He knew there was something more," said his daughter, and many of his later songs reflect this. Philosophy aside, the song is a picture lavishly painted in words.
The Sons of the Pioneers recorded it in 1962 and Bob chose it for his last album, The Sound of a Pioneer. The Lobo Rangers also chose to record it with solo by Patricia Bourne.
SHEET MUSIC
It was registered for copyright on March 19, 1963, and sheet music was published that year by Manna Music Inc.