Mortar and Stone

A song about a special person, a true morning star! She laid her days in mortar and stone Calloused hands, a strength well-known Sun on her back, dust in the breeze Built her life with a quiet ease Then came a wind she couldn’t outrun Stole her breath, dimmed her sun Left her standing on shifting ground But she never let it take her down Oh, she’s still here, don’t you see Bends like a branch, but she won’t break free With a laugh that rings like a mountain stream And a heart that holds to every dream Yeah, life may change what the body can do But it don’t change the soul shining through Through every trial, come what may She’s still here every day Rolled through gates in a far-off land Wheelchair tied by her own two hands Lisbon streets and a foreign sky Still found her way, didn’t ask why Steel on her legs when she needs to stand Step by step, just like she planned Finds new roads where the old ones end Makes her limits learn to bend Oh, she’s still here, don’t you see Bends like a branch, but she won’t break free With a laugh that rings like a mountain stream And a heart that holds to every dream Yeah, life may change what the body can do But it don’t change the soul shining through Through every trial, come what may She’s still here every day She ain’t the same as she once was before But she’s found a different kind of more In every mile and every strain She turns her loss into refrain Oh, she’s still here, strong and kind With a stubborn will and a steady mind Through every road both rough and long She turns her struggle into song Yeah, the world can shake, the winds can blow But she’s got roots that hold below Through every night into the day She’s still a morning star all the way