I Love You (Honoring Virginia McKnight Binger)

From the Album Slow Night

She was rich to the core
A friend to the poor
I love you
From her heart she would give
So others might live
I love you

Some people have
So many have not
Enough to get by
The dream lives
The dreamer dies
I love you

Often she’d read
Of people in need
I love you
God has many names
To their doorstep she came
I love you

To fall through the cracks
To never get back
Without a hand to hold
Like Lazarus of old
I love you

Mothers unwed
No place for their heads
I love you
To get a degree
Childcare they need
I love you

One plate full at a time
Until all children find
The love, the comfort of home
To be safe, and never alone
I love you

Surrender your self
To love
Someone else
To share
In love
Not control
To see in each face
The whole human race
I love you
To see the gift
Not someone at risk
I love you

Wonders made real
Through God’s grace revealed
Through human compassion combined
To share this world as divine
I love you

Words & music by Larry Long
Copyright Larry Long 2018 / BMI

*I Love You was written in honor of Virginia McKnight Binger. Mrs. Binger was the matriarch of the McKnight Foundation. Virginia discovered that many people whom she wanted to support didn’t fit within the parameters of McKnight funding. In response Mrs. Binger set up the VMB Fund, where she had a scout go out into the community to find those who are doing good work. Virginia McKnight Binger would invite many of them into her home to learn more about their work. She was very drawn to my Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song program and I became a recipient of her funding. I remain forever grateful for Virginia McKnight Binger and may her song serve as inspiration for you to carry it forward.

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