To Give cover art

To Give

Written by Shane Pierson

This song was written around Christmas, but it is not limited to a season in my opinion. I had the opportunity to be involved with the Giving Machines in Charlotte. I watched people give quietly. No recognition. No return. Just joy in helping someon...

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Lyrics

Christmas lights along the street,

Snow is soft under my feet.

Every time I give a little thing,

Something in my chest begins to sing.

When I make a little extra place,

Pull a quiet name into the space,

Every time I share what I can spare,

Joy shows up like it was always there.

Every Christmas I can see,

Keeping never feels as free.

Giving makes my heart feel light,

Warmer than a winter night.

I was made to give, not keep,

That is why this joy runs deep.

When I share what is in my hands,

Something bright in me expands.

That is why it feels so good:

I was made to live for someone's good.

When I slow my step to match your pace,

Really see the moment in your face,

Every time I trade my plans for you,

Peace rolls in like skies turning blue.

All these candles, all this light,

Show my heart that this is right.

Giving makes my heart feel light,

Warmer than a winter night.

I was made to give, not keep,

That is why this joy runs deep.

When I share what is in my hands,

Something bright in me expands.

That is why it feels so good:

I was made to live for someone's good.

Tiny baby in a bed of hay,

Love slipped in a quiet, hidden way.

Heaven gave its heart that holy night,

Now our giving carries some of that light.

Giving makes my heart feel light,

Glowing past the Christmas night.

I was made to give, not keep,

That is why this joy runs deep.

All the shining things fade from my view,

But this simple truth keeps shining through:

Every time I give the way I should,

I remember why

This giving feels so good.

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The Story

This song was written around Christmas, but it is not limited to a season in my opinion.

I had the opportunity to be involved with the Giving Machines in Charlotte. I watched people give quietly. No recognition. No return. Just joy in helping someone they would never meet. I was a part of the logistics team that helps set up and take down the event and experience here in Charlotte.

The selfless energy that so many volunteers put forth stayed with me. I wanted to put in writing the beautiful feelings it created being around those incredible people, and let the words also inspire focus on what matters most in this life.

This song is about generosity without performance and to give just because it is right. I say in the lyrics that what was put in my hands was not just for me. This is an oversimplification of a blessing I received and a directive to remember why I get blessed with more than just the basics. Serving because someone needs it. Letting kindness move through your hands without needing credit.

The style leans warm and familiar pulling in stylings like the best Christmas songs sung by Frankie, Nat King Cole, and Michael Buble. This is the kind of song you want to hear every year. It reflects what Christmas feels like when it is stripped down to its purpose.

This is a reminder that small acts done sincerely carry weight. Always have.

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