The Mighty Unknown

Dreaming Big

Walter Mitty dwells in all of us. We imagine great things but either don’t believe they are possible or don’t see a path. None-the-less a journey of one-thousand miles begins with the first step, and sometimes a person is compelled to take it in spite of the questions and conventional wisdom. Thank God!

(Note: The incredible Darrell Smith sings an elegant descant over the top of the chorus, but I am unable to replicate his part here because I’m always too busy focusing on the lyrics and chord progression to figure out exactly how Darrell’s part goes. However I can tell you it is the icing on the cake.)

The Mighty Unknown

by Howard Lewis

Columbus sailed west toward the mighty unknown,
Taking a chance he’d never get home.
Driven to show that the world was round
Thinking there might be new lands to be found.

Lewis and Clark paddled upstream
To find the Pacific, accomplish the dream
Of charting a course ‘cross the mighty frontier,
An easier way to get there from here.

Some dreams can be hard, some of them cruel
They challenge or break a conventional rule
But those are the ones too big to ignore
Those are the dreams we’re bound to explore.

Marco Polo set out on a trip to the East
Crossed mountains and deserts on a caravan beast
Down the silk road ‘til he landed in China
And stayed there for years, waiting to find a
Reason to leave, to return to the West,
To tell the known world what he’d seen of the rest.

I’ll conquer an ocean, I’ll challenge the sea
I’ll find a safe harbor, be waiting for thee
I’ll set out alone through a forest unknown,
To find a green meadow and build a new home
For you . . . . . For you.

(chorus)
So cross the deep ocean, sail the dark sea,
Follow your heart, come looking for me.
I’ll put a lamp in the window, keep a fire burning bright,
And pray for your journey all through the night.

Some dreams can be hard, some of them cruel
They challenge or break a conventional rule
But those are the ones too big to ignore
Those are the dreams we’re bound to explore.

(chorus) (repeat ad lib)
So cross the deep ocean, sail the dark sea,
Follow your heart, come looking for me.
I’ll put a lamp in the window, keep a fire burning bright,
And pray for your journey all through the night.

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The Embedded Reporter