I've witnessed nations destroyed by war, seen cities fall and burn, 
Then had to watch their children starve and freeze and die in turn, 
I know their songs of wrathful breath and urgent misery, 
And yet I know that utter death will never come to me. 
     I've lived so long that now I know  
     I'll never ever die:  I am
     The Wandering Jew of legend old 
     Doomed to wonder "Why?" 

 
I've lived two thousand years so far, all friends have passed to dust, 
They live for such a little while, their houses rot and rust. 
Their children grow and age and die, and then theirs do the same, 
While watching with a broken heart, I call upon his Name: 
     O Yeshua, it's been too long,  
     Why may I never die?  I am
     The Wandering Jew of legend old 
     Doomed to wonder "Why?" 

 
Ahazverus or Ishmael, I go by many names. 
I've crossed the earth a thousand times and witnessed all her pains, 
Seen my own people crushed and ground and wracked beyond duress, yes!
And yet I suffer more than them, condemned to endlessness. 
     My people fold, they fall and cry,  
     While I may never die--  I	am	 
     The Wandering Jew of legend old 
     Doomed to wonder "Why?" 

 
I remember that day, so long ago, we put him to the cross to die, 
I called him names, I kicked his flesh, and laughed as he was crucified, 
He looked at me with eyes of power, eyes that seemed to burn, 
And then he told me: "Tarry thou until I do return." 
     And this my curse, my punishment, 
     That I may never die,  I am
     The Wandering Jew of legend old 
     Doomed to wonder "Why?"

 
     Why?  
     What does it all mean? 

C              F          C         F         C      Em       Am 
I've witnessed nations destroyed by war, seen cities fall and burn,  
 
     C      F           C        F          C          Em     Am 
Then had to watch their children starve and freeze and die in turn. 
 
  Em         G        C        Am         G          Am   G
I know their songs of wrathful breath and urgent misery, 
 
    Am              Dm    C                Em   G  Am     G
And yet I know that utter death will never come to me. 
 
          Em                 C 
     I've lived so long that now I know  
 
          G          Am      G
     I'll never ever die:    I am
   
         Am               Dm     C 
     The Wandering Jew of legend old 
 
               G       Am 
     Doomed to wonder "Why?"