Bethany Dillon - Vagabond Lyrics
Lyrics
I know of a man who lives on the other side
On the other side of this mountain
They say he's calling the weary home
I've been told of a man who lives on the other side
On the other side of this mountain
With a heart full of stories of hope
So run like a vagabond, carry the flame
Run for the children and run for the slaves
Hold it up high with a message of faith
Don't ever stop moving on
Just run like a vagabond
His book is a gun that he reads for the people
The words that he speaks have been colored illegal
But the law that he's under is bigger than paper and gowns
He stayed in the streets where the beggars are broken
He's risking is life, a bullseye in the open
But he won't stop to rest until he's reached every town
So run like a vagabond, carry the flame
Run for the children and run for the slaves
Hold it up high with a message of faith
Don't ever stop moving on
Just run like a vagabond
Video
Vagabond
Meaning & Inspiration
Bethany Dillon's "Vagabond," released on January 1, 2005, as part of her album *Imagination*, stands as a profound spiritual anthem, urging believers toward a life of tireless mission and unwavering faith. The song paints a vivid narrative centered around a mysterious, redemptive figure who resides metaphorically "on the other side of this mountain," constantly calling "the weary home" with "a heart full of stories of hope." This enigmatic presence is undeniably a lyrical representation of Jesus Christ, whose invitation to rest and renewal is a cornerstone of Christian faith, echoing His words in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." He is the ultimate source of hope, as proclaimed in Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
The song then shifts its focus to the instrument of this figure's message, describing "His book" as a "gun that he reads for the people." This powerful, almost startling metaphor, illustrates the incredible, transformative force of the Holy Bible. It's not a weapon of destruction, but of penetration and conviction, much like Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God as "alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." The lyric acknowledging that "the words that he speaks have been colored illegal" highlights the historical and ongoing persecution faced by those who proclaim the Gospel, yet it quickly affirms that "the law that he's under is bigger than paper and gowns," underscoring God's ultimate sovereignty and authority over all human decrees, as demonstrated when Peter declared in Acts 5:29, "We must obey God rather than human beings!" This divine messenger, embodying Christ, is depicted as ministering to the most vulnerable, staying "in the streets where the beggars are broken," aligning perfectly with Jesus' ministry to the poor, sick, and outcast, and His declaration in Luke 4:18 to "proclaim good news to the poor... to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free." His sacrificial dedication is evident as he's "risking his life, a bullseye in the open," a clear reference to Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross, the greatest act of love where He laid down His life for others, as John 15:13 affirms. His relentless pursuit to reach "every town" before resting beautifully encapsulates the boundless scope of the Great Commission given in Matthew 28:19-20, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations," and the ceaseless mission of salvation.
The powerful call to action within "Vagabond" resounds with an inspiring urgency for believers to emulate this selfless mission. The command to "run like a vagabond, carry the flame" is a profound summons to live a life devoted to spiritual pilgrimage, embracing the transient nature of our earthly existence as "foreigners and exiles" (1 Peter 2:11) who are always on the move for the Kingdom. To "carry the flame" is to bear the light of Christ and the truth of the Holy Spirit, reflecting Matthew 5:14-16, "You are the light of the world... Let your light shine before others." The charge to "run for the children and run for the slaves" expands this mission to explicitly include advocacy and liberation for the oppressed and vulnerable, both physically and spiritually. This aligns with Scripture's consistent emphasis on caring for the marginalized, such as in James 1:27, which states that "religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress." It also speaks to the spiritual freedom offered from the slavery of sin, as articulated in John 8:34-36. Holding "it up high with a message of faith" speaks to the bold proclamation of the Gospel, which Romans 1:16 declares is "the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes." The concluding directive, "Don't ever stop moving on," serves as a potent reminder of the endurance and perseverance required in the Christian journey, echoing Paul's declaration in Philippians 3:14, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." "Vagabond" is not merely a song; it's a stirring manifesto for active, unwavering faith, challenging us to live out the Great Commission with the same passion and selflessness exemplified by Christ himself.