### [Verse 1 — quiet, welcoming] A stranger came upon the gate With nowhere else to go He carried only what he had And didn't know the road The door was opened, food was shared A place was made inside No one asked him who he was Before they let him stay the night ### [Chorus — warm] Come in, stranger You are welcome here You don't have to be like us You don't have to share our prayers Come in, stranger Rest beside the fire A human being at the gate Is reason to be kind ### [Verse 2 — the good apple] I don't have to take the whole tree To recognize a fruit I can leave the roots and branches And still keep what is good A teaching can cross a border A kindness can cross a creed I don't have to call it holy To recognize a human need ### [Verse 3 — the tension] But if I stay beside you Will you tell me how to dress? Will you tell me where to look And what I ought to suppress? If your faith gives you a pathway I can let that pathway be But the clothes upon my body Are still a choice that belongs to me ### [Pre-Chorus — reflective] You can welcome me with kindness You can tell me what you know I can listen to your reasons And still choose where I go ### [Chorus] Come in, stranger You are welcome here You don't have to be like us You don't have to share our prayers Come in, stranger Rest beside the fire A human being at the gate Is reason to be kind ### [Bridge — the distinction] Hospitality isn't ownership. Kindness isn't conversion. A welcome isn't a contract. And a guest is still a person. ### [Verse 4 — choosing freely] So I'll thank you for the welcome And I'll honor what you do I can see the good you practice Without pretending I am you If your customs are your customs Then your customs can remain And if mine are mine to choose We don't have to live the same ### [Final Chorus — expansive] Come in, stranger You are welcome here You don't have to be like us You don't have to share our prayers Come in, stranger Rest beside the fire No one needs to become the other For kindness to be kind ### [Outro — gentle] A stranger came upon the gate. Someone opened it. Perhaps that's enough.
