From the recording You, Me, and All of the Above
words and music by Kristin Lems
© 2015 Kleine Ding Music (BMI)
When Amelia Earhart completed her solo continental flight, it created an uproar. When asked why she did it, she answered that it was all worth the try. This is my second song about Amelia Earhart; the other is New Horizons, set to a poem by Beatrice Edgerly, one of the original 99’s. You can find that song here.
Lyrics
1. Reporter: Why do you fly?
Amelia: Because there’s a sky.
Reporter: But women don’t fly
Amelia: This woman flies!
Reporter: It just isn’t done
Amelia: I want to reach for the sun!
and I’ve only begun!
Nobody asks a man “Why are you climbing that mountain?”
Nobody asks a man “Why are you fording that stream?”
Nobody asks a man, “Why are you digging through those old bones?”
They know it’s his life, they know it’s his joy, they know it’s his dream!
And this is my dream!
2. Reporter: Why do you fly?
Amelia: Because there’s a sky.
Reporter: But women don’t fly
Amelia: This woman flies!
Reporter: No woman has dared
The world’s not prepared
Amelia: But I am not scared.
Imagine the people and places that we can now visit!
Imagine the feel of the wind when you’re up in a plane
When I imagine what men have imagined forever
They say it’s a stunt, they say it’s a whim –
They say I’m insane!
Intro Break
3. Reporter: Why do you fly?
Amelia: Because there’s a sky.
Reporter: But women don’t fly
Amelia: This woman flies!
Reporter: She’s one stubborn dame
It’s a dangerous game
Amelia: I’ll fly just the same
What is a life that is nothing but sitting and waiting?
What is a life that is pretty and dainty and small?
Just like a still life of flowers and apples that never grow
My life must be big, my life must be grand, or it’s no life at all!
Reporter/Amelia: Why do you fly?/I’m gonna fly (2x)
Amelia: No matter the outcome
It’s all worth the try
I’m going to fly!