Based on John 4:4-30
By Rev. Ed Nesselhuf
Dedicated to the Women at Well Congregation at Mitchellville, IA

You may visit the Web Site: http://www.prisoncongregations.org for information regarding this ministry.

From the wrong side of the gully, she was used to being used
   Second class seemed to be her plight
All attempts to improve her lot would simply be refused
   Unwritten laws held her position tight
She could read the signs when folks preferred to not have her around
   And so, she had learned to give them room.
And to hold her tongue when anger sparked, her forbearance was profound
   A calloused conscience would not let her bloom.

From the wrong side of the gully, she was tough and hard as nails
   Life was a battle to be fought
She had learned to survive by hooking up with lonely males
   Scars indicated lessons that were taught
Wanting to be invisible, she kept a low profile
   “Attract no attention” is the rule
Wrong gender, race, and color, and by all means a wrong lifestyle
   Target for the ‘good folks’ ridicule.

From the wrong side of the gully, she traveled all alone
   To fill her water pail at mid-day.
But that day she met a stranger, there’s no way she could have known
   He’d give a gift that she could not repay.
A man who dared to speak to her, a Jewish man, no less
   He breaks a whole list of social taboos
Does he know to whom he’s speaking? What’s he wanting to express?
   Is she being set up to be accused?
From the wrong side of the gully, she can scarce believe her ears
   He says he would accept from her a drink
She found her guarded nature began shedding off her fears
   He gave her cause to pause and re-think
But what if someone caught them talking, this was not the thing to do
   There’s potential for scandal in the air
Still his words are kind and friendly and she’s thinking they are true
   Is she visiting an angel unaware?

From the wrong side of the gully, she dares to see this through
   He offers her a drink in return
She says she’d like this living water that will give her life anew
   A flame within her heart begins to burn.
Ah, Sister, whatcha thinking when you’re treated with respect?
   Could he be the Messiah like he claims?
Your confused and stormy life he’s now come to resurrect
   He’s asking you to discard all your shame

Run now, Sister, to the city, leave your water pail behind
   This news is just too great not to share
The Messiah’s here and he’s come for all of humankind
   We don’t have to compete or to compare
They came by the hundreds to see this man of whom she spoke
   White unto harvest was this streaming hoard
The directive then was shared with all of these townsfolk
   There IS no wrong side of the gully, in the
Kingdom of our Lord!
    And all God’s people said…AMEN.