Lyrics Page
Wonderful Life
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Aug 18, 2026 updated
Verified editorial review
Matthew West's song "Wonderful Life" reflects on the beauty and pain of life through the story of Ron, a friend who battled ALS. Despite suffering, Ron sees his life as wonderful, acknowledging that joy and sorrow are intertwined. The song celebrates the full spectrum of human experience, from laughter to tears, and ultimately points to the hope of heaven, where life's struggles are not the end. West encourages listeners to embrace both the highs and lows, trusting that God's presence makes life meaningful and that eternal life awaits.
Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team
Ron from Houston, Texas
Spent three years fightin' ALS
If you knew all that he's been through
You'd hardly say he's blessed
But smilin' through a phone call
He said "Let me tell you, friend
This life ain't always wonderful
But what a wonderful life it's been"
It'll send you flyin' high
It'll bring you to your knees
It's the heartbreak and the happiness
And everything between
It's the laugh until it hurts
It's the hurt until you cry
Can't have one without the other
It's how you know that you're alive
In this broken and beautiful
Gone mad and magical
Awfully wonderful life
It's a mountain and a valley
It's a cradle and a grave
It's a blessing and a battle
And it's on any given day
It's messy and imperfect
It's a thief and it's a gift
Yeah, this life ain't always wonderful
But what a wonderful life it is
It'll send you flyin' high
It'll bring you to your knees
It's the heartbreak and the happiness
And everything between
It's the laugh until it hurts
It's the hurt until you cry
Can't have one without the other
It's how you know that you're alive
In this broken and beautiful
Gone mad and magical
Awfully wonderful life
This wonderful life
It's a wonderful life
Ron went home to Jesus
Got the call the other day
I sat and cried and thought about
The words I heard him say
I know there is a Heaven
Waitin' for us after this
This life ain't always wonderful
But this life ain't all there is
No, this life ain't always wonderful
But this life ain't all there is
So let it send you flyin' high
Let it bring me to my knees
Bring the heartbreak and the happiness
And everything between
Let me laugh until it hurts
Let me hurt until I cry
And when it comes my time to go
I'll smile and wave goodbye
To this broken and beautiful
Gone mad and magical
Awfully wonderful life
It's a broken and beautiful
Gone mad and magical
Awfully wonderful life