“Why Walk When You Can Fly?” by Mary Chapin Carpenter

“In this world there’s a whole lot of trouble, baby,

In this world, there’s a whole lot of pain. . .”

Anyone grieving the death of a loved one, reeling from a terminal diagnosis, or struggling after a tragedy can relate to the idea that in this world there’s a whole lot of trouble and pain. “In this world there’s a whole lot of sorrow. . .” as Mary Chapin Carpenter declares in her song, “Why Walk When You Can Fly?”

No matter who you are or what your circumstance, life in this world is not easy.

Why Walk When You Can Fly?

But a funny thing happens sometimes when people who have suffered a tragedy talk. An upbeat and wonderful philosophy sometimes emerges from their mouths. Maybe it’s that the knowledge of impending death makes living even sweeter. That each day should be savored and appreciated. That what life remains should be lived with gusto.

Mary Chapin Carpenter’s song, “Why Walk When You Can Fly” evokes that feeling.

“Why take when you could be giving?

Why watch as the world goes by?

It’s a hard enough life to be living

Why walk when you can fly?”

This singer-songwriter understands the human condition and pours that knowledge into her songs and ballads.

Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Award-Winning Music

Mary Chapin Carpenter was born in 1958 and rose quietly through the country music ranks during the 1980s and 1990s. She won four consecutive Grammy awards for the Best Female Country Vocal Performance — the only artist to do this — bringing her Grammy award total to five. Her most well-known album was “Come On, Come On,” released in 1992. “Come On, Come On”  went quadruple platinum and sold more than 4 million copies.

Photo: Clture.org

Carpenter’s style is a mix of folk and country, influenced by the Beatles, a bit of Motown, and “Beach-Boys-style harmonies.” Carpenter, herself, prefers not to be pigeon-holed into a certain style and would rather be referred to as a singer-songwriter than a country artist.

As Carpenter has progressed through her musical career, her albums have focused on social causes and political events, making her songs less “radio-friendly.” So even though her later albums have been critically acclaimed, they do not match the popularity of her early work. “Down at the Twist and Shout,” “Passionate Kisses,” “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,” “I Feel Lucky,” and “Why Walk When You Can Fly?” were wildly popular and featured prominently in radio airtime during the 1990s.

There’s a Star on the Far Horizon…

“Why Walk When You Can Fly?” has universal appeal. It reminds us that we don’t know how long we have on this earth. The lyrics urge every one of us to live life to the fullest, NOW.

“And in this world there’s a whole lot of golden

In this world there’s a whole lot of pain

In this world you’ve a soul for a compass

And a heart for a pair of wings

There’s a star on the far horizon

Rising bright in an azure sky

For the rest of the time that you’re given

Why walk when you can fly?”

See Mary Chapin Carpenter perform this song live at Wolf Trap in the video below.