Candy Christmas - Stranger Lyrics
Lyrics
1. Many a traveler has stood on the shore
And watched the sunset afar
Thrilled by the beauty, eyes misting over
Tugged by a pain in his heart
Thinking of loved ones, their faces a memory
And homeland from where he had gone
And said As much as I like it here
I've got a longing for home
Chorus
Stranger, oh feel like a stranger
Though your heart aches
You're not alone
You're a stranger longing for home
2. I know the feeling others have felt
Dreaming of some distant land
I know the pain of a heart that's remembering
The smile or the touch of a hand
Heaven's my home, I want to see Jesus
And all of the loved ones who've gone
So even as much as I like it here
I've got a longing for home.
Video
Dolly Parton - Hard Candy Christmas (Official Audio)
Meaning & Inspiration
Candy Christmas's "Stranger," while drawing its title from a well-known holiday song, presents a profound spiritual reflection that resonates far beyond seasonal cheer. The song poignantly captures the universal human experience of being a sojourner, a traveler in this earthly realm with an inherent longing for a true, eternal home. It begins by evoking the image of a traveler gazing at a sunset, a moment that often stirs a bittersweet ache in the heart, a reminder of loved ones and familiar places left behind. This imagery serves as a powerful metaphor for our spiritual condition; we are beings who, while appreciating the beauty and experiences of this world, feel a deeper yearning, a sense of displacement from our ultimate destination.
The chorus, "Stranger, oh feel like a stranger, though your heart aches, you're not alone, you're a stranger longing for home," directly addresses this feeling of alienation and offers solace. It acknowledges the pain of longing but assures the listener that this experience, this feeling of being a stranger, is not an isolated one. Scripture frequently speaks to this temporary nature of our existence. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 3:20, beautifully articulates this sentiment, stating, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." This verse perfectly encapsulates the idea of being a stranger here, with our true citizenship elsewhere, awaiting Christ’s return. Similarly, Hebrews 11:13-16 describes the faith of those in Old Testament times who "died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and welcomed them from a distance, and acknowledging that they were strangers and exiles on the earth," indicating their belief in a heavenly country.
The second verse deepens this introspection, recognizing that this feeling of longing is not unique but a shared human experience. It speaks to remembering the warmth of human connection—a smile, a touch—but ultimately directs that desire towards a greater reunion. The lyric, "Heaven's my home, I want to see Jesus, and all of the loved ones who've gone," is a clear declaration of Christian hope. This is not a mere romanticized ideal but a confident expectation rooted in the resurrection and the promise of eternal life with Christ. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 describes the blessed reunion that awaits believers: "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." This song, through its simple yet profound lyrics, reminds us that this longing for home is a divine whisper, a call to remember our eternal destiny and to find comfort in the fellowship of fellow sojourners and the ultimate promise of our heavenly Father's embrace. It's a powerful testament to the enduring hope that sustains believers as they navigate this earthly journey, always looking towards the horizon of eternity.