Gift Garth Brooks *********** Capo 2 fret *********** Intro: D A poor orphan girl named Maria A7 Was walking to market one day. She stopped for to rest by the roadside D Where a bird with a broken wing lay. A few moments passed 'til she saw it, A7 For its feathers were covered with sand. But soon clean and wrapped it was traveling D In the warmth of Maria's small hand. G She happily gave her last peso D A7 D On a cage made of rushes and twine G She fed it loose corn from the market D A7 And watched it grow stronger with time. D Now the Christmas Eve service was coming A7 And the church shone with tinsel and light And all of the townsfolk brought presents D To lay by the manger that night There were diamonds and incense and perfumes A7 In packages fit for a king. But for one ragged bird in a small cage, D Maria had nothing to bring. G She waited till just before mid-night D A7 D So no one would see her go in G And, crying, she knelt by the manger D A7 For her gift was unworthy of him. (Key change to E) E Then a voice spoke to her through the darkness, B7 "Maria, what brings you to me? If the bird in the cage is your offering, E Open the door, let me see." Though she trembled, she did as he asked her B7 And out of the cage the bird flew Soaring up into the rafters E On a wing that had healed good as new. A Just then the midnight bells rang out E B7 E And the little bird started to sing A A song that no words could recapture E B7 Whose beauty was fit for a king E Now Maria felt blessed just to listen B7 To that cascade of notes sweet and long As her offering was lifted to heaven E By the very first nightingale's song