[Intro] Culture is a fluid thing How you live, think and sing How you dance, how you mourn Everything from when you're born. [Verse 1] The Martial Arts have moved my soul Ever since I was a foal The first time that I tried this art Felt like I'd known it from the start. Every movement, kick and stance Felt familiar on first glance Though not the culture I'm born into It’s the one my heart’s drawn to. [Chorus, melodic shift, layered voices] A stranger I may be An outsider I may seem Still - may I love your world? As a thankful, multi-cultured girl? A stranger I may be An outsider I may seem (uh-) But my heart is open wide (open wide) Let me walk by your side. (oh-oh) Walk a while beside (oh-oh) My heart is open wide [Verse 2] The sounds and twists of Asian tongues Excite my soul like foreign songs The gentle ways your language flows Feel strangely warm, like something known No script’s too hard to write or read Each word becomes another seed Growing in my eager brain The effort never feels in vain. [Chorus, melodic shift, layered voices] A stranger I may be An outsider I may seem Still - may I appreciate your world? As a thankful, multi-cultured girl? A stranger I may be An outsider I may seem (uh-) But my heart is open wide (open wide) Let me walk by your side. (oh-oh) Walk a while beside (oh-oh) My heart is open wide [Verse 3] Asian spice enflames my soul Their tastes are rich and whole A thousand foods to try Each bite's a pleasant sigh. I cherish your traditions Of love, life, and nutrition No wish to colonize But see life through your eyes. [instrumental] [Bridge, softer] I do not wear these things for show Or claim a place I’ve never known I only feel my spirit grows Each time another world is shown Maybe culture’s not a wall But something living, shared by all A bridge of learning, care, and view A space between the me and you [Final Chorus – fuller] A stranger I may be An outsider I may seem Still - may I love your world? As a thankful, multi-cultured girl? A stranger I may be An outsider I may seem (uh-) But my heart is open wide (open wide) Let me walk by your side. (oh-oh) Walk a while beside (oh-oh) My heart is open wide (oh-oh) Walk a while beside (oh-oh) My heart is open wide [instrumental] [Outro] Don't wish to lose myself Don't try to become you I simply love the wealth I find in cultures new. I grow my sense of self With traits I love in you I grow my culture-wealth Let's join the me and you. oh--- me and you oh--- me and you. [soft ending]
