A joy-filled handyman on our campus walked down the corridor singing “I’m Just a Nobody!” I am not sure if he knew that I was present at first. When he realized I was there, he asked whether I knew the song. I said no. So, he began with the refrain of a wino sitting curbside.
- I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody,
- About somebody, who can save anybody.
- I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody,
- About somebody, who can save anybody.
I was hooked!
What powerful summary of the “Good News” and evangelization … out of the mouth of a wino sitting on a curb.
Jesus’ disciples experienced miracles and cures, an awareness of being loved… and ran to tell others about it!
“I have become aware of what it means to be loved and it is that awareness of being loved that I am trying to share with others. ”Evangelization and the awareness of being loved”
The homeless wino who sings the song reminded me of the truth of Paul’s words which we use in the liturgy on Vincentian feast days…
Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,1 Cor 1:26
These words took on a new and deeper meaning as I read the full lyrics and listened to the song.
I also think of Vincent’s words about turning the coin to see the other side.
This homeless wino teaches us, no matter our state in life, that we are each called to sing of God’s love.
I don’t think I will ever read Paul’s words to the Corinthians without thinking of the William’s Brothers’ “I’m Just a Nobody”
I would love to hear your reactions after you have at least read the lyrics.
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I was walking downtown one day,
And I saw a man that appeared to be just an old wino;
Sitting on the streets, telling the people
About Jesus as they passed by.
And because he was all raggedy and dirty,
People would just laugh and make fun
Of the old man and walk on by.
And he said because of the way I am,
No money, no fancy clothes, no fine homes and cars,
A lot of people consider me as nothing,
And say I don’t know what I am talking about.
But there is one thing that he said
That really touched my heart and stayed on my mind,
When that old man looked up and said…
I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody,
About somebody, who can save anybody.
I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody,
About somebody, who can save anybody.
In the following verses he tells his own story.
For an audio version of this post click below.
For more on the Williams Brothers visit their Facebook page or their Wikipedia page.
Great story! I found myself with a big smile on my face at the end of the song as if smiling at this brother of mine, this incredibly wise, God filled, wino!
I printed the lyrics and will definitely buy a CD and learn this song. What he says comes very close to the ending of a booklet which I am writing where I wish every human being to make this discovery in life: God’s love for me, for each one of us, no matter what life gives us, wino or no wino!
Your story reminded me of two songs that Bruce Frye wrote. One is entitled, “That Was Me” and the other is simply, “Someone.”
The first one tells a story of a man who lived inside a bottle of booze and one day fell so low and discovered salvation in Christ Jesus. His friends would ask him if he found Jesus. His response, “He wasn’t lost; that was me.”
The other is a humbling one which has the tag line, “Are you someone someone’s been praying for?” Often, we don’t realize how low we are until someone asks us if we need help. Clearly, the “Nobody” in your story found that humbleness that enabled him to “find” Jesus. Good News is often “Great News” once you come to appreciate it.