Brooks Garth - The Gift 3 guitar tab

Don't know who wrote it, but Garth recorded it:

The Gift (as sung by Garth Brooks, from his album "Beyond the Season")

(done in 3/4 time, with a "south-of-the-border" feel)

A E7

A poor orphan girl named Maria was walking to market one day.

E7 A

She stopped for to rest by the roadside where a bird with a broken wing lay.

A E7

A few moments passed till she saw it for its feathers were covered with

sand,

E7

A

But soon, cleaned and wrapped, it was traveling in the warmth of Maria's

small hand.

D A E7 A

She happily gave her last peso on a cage made of rushes and twine.

D A E7

She fed it loose corn from the market and watched it grow stronger with

time.

A

E7

Now, the Christmas Eve service was coming, and the church shone with tinsel

and light.

E7 A

And all of the townfolk brought presents to lay by the manger that night.

A E7

There were diamonds and incense and perfume in packages fit for a king.

E7 A

But for one ragged bird in a small cage, Maria had nothing to bring.

D A E7 A

She waited till just before midnight, so noone would see her go in.

D A E7

And, crying, she knelt by the manger, for her gift was unworthy of Him.

A

E7

Then a voice spoke to her through the darkness, "Maria, what brings you to

Me?

E7 A

If the bird in the cage is your offering, open the door, let me see."

A

E7

Though she trembled, she did as He asked her, and out of the cage the bird

flew.

E7 A

Soaring up into the rafters on a wing that had healed good as new.

A E7

Just then the midnight bells rang out, and the little bird started to sing

E7 A

A song that no words could recapture, whose beauty was fit for a king.

A E7

Now, Maria felt blessed just to listen to that cascade of notes sweet and

long,

E7 A

As her offering was lifted to Heaven by the very first nightingale's song.

Have fun with it,

Charles