for unto us a child is born
soon
in a manger
in the bleak mid winter
such loss
such sadness
such suffering
abounds this year
with so many global catastrophes
look at what we have become
look at what we have done
pray to find the path
back to the light
pray to cleanse the world
of greed
consumerism
racism
egotism
the garden is dying
it needs care and love
and so do we
ad majoram dei gloriam
“Just living is not enough… one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” ~
Hans Christian Andersen
Although initial listeners may have interpreted it as a song about a broken relationship, Gates revealed that it was written in memory of his father who died in 1963 before he achieved his success with Bread.[3] According to the book 1000 UK No. 1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, at his father's funeral, a friend took David Gates aside and said, "Your dad was so proud of what you were doing." David agreed, "My success would have been so special to him as he was my greatest influence. So I decided to write and record 'Everything I Own' about him. If you listen to the words, 'You sheltered me from harm, kept me warm, you gave my life to me, set me free', it says it all."[4] As for the title, Gates said that he once sent his mother an orchid for her birthday at a time when he could barely afford it: "She was so touched – my dad wrote to tell me I could have had "anything she owned" in return."[3] Typically Gates wrote the lyrics after the music. Although the lyrics were written so it could be interpreted as a love song, Gates said: "When I played it for my wife, she knew right away that it was about my father. She cried."[3]
she had travelled a lot
at all levels
lived in different places
met different people
and what did she learn
gratitude and relief
relief in not wanting material possessions
freedom in not needing to conform to the prevailing norms
grateful to have food shelter and a tv
grateful for living in a large country with a small population
some need to journey to outer space
for the ultimate thrill
for others
a ride in an old beetle with Mickey Mouse
through the forest would be even better
and did not stop
and ruined the crops
and ruined the harvest
and ruined the roads
and ruined the houses
and ruined lives
and when it finally stops
we can begin to prepare for the bush fires
o for the country life
