Black Orchid

Stevie Wonder · Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants [1979]

A flake of snow within a storm

A new way waiting to be born

In a world with need of change

A touch of love in fear of hate

A rushing wind that's asked to wait

For the promises of rain

A pearl of wisdom entrapped by poverty



She gives love with purity

Filling minds with hopeful schemes

To build worlds enhanced by peace

Draped in sparkling morning dew

She expresses life anew

From the earth beneath her feet

She is a flower that grows

In love ability

She's femininity



Black Orchid, Black Orchid

Why did they make you begin

When they know in time you'll find your truth

before your cycle ends

Black Orchid, Black Orchid

Why are you crying their fears

When the true reflection of you that they see

Is love besieged by years



She has touched the farthest star

Her beauty speaks of what we are

And her freedom makes us free

Her now is in eternity

Infinite to all that see

And her dreams have been achieved

Now there is a sound of laughter

Nature signs out her name

For the world to know her fame



Black Orchid, Black Orchid

Why did they criticize

When they knew your love could cast its spell and

consecrate their eyes

Black Orchid, Black Orchid

Why do you linger in space

When you know in every heart that beats

You hold a special place

When you know in every heart that beats

You hold a special place

Black Orchid - Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder's 'Black Orchid' stands as a vibrant centerpiece on his 1979 album *Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants*. The track exemplifies his mastery of funk and R&B, blending intricate guitar work with his signature melodic sensibility. Released during a period where Wonder continued to evolve his sound beyond the soulful roots of his earlier work, the song showcases his ability to craft lush, atmospheric arrangements that define the late 1970s era. As part of his extensive discography, 'Black Orchid' remains a testament to his enduring influence on contemporary music, capturing the energy and innovation characteristic of his catalog from that time.