“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”

Introduction

Joey + Rory’s “The Gift” is more than a song—it’s a testament to the couple’s profound faith, love, and resilience. Known for their ability to weave heartfelt storytelling into every lyric, this track radiates the warmth and sincerity that have made them beloved figures in the country and gospel music scenes.

“The Gift” is one of those songs that feels like a deep breath on a chaotic day. It carries a spiritual undertone, a reminder of the blessings we often overlook. Whether it’s the lyrics that touch on gratitude or the soothing harmonies that feel like a hug for your soul, the song speaks to everyone who listens.

Joey’s angelic voice leads the melody with a purity that tugs at your heartstrings. There’s an unmistakable authenticity in her delivery—she wasn’t just singing; she was living the words. Rory’s gentle harmonies add a layer of intimacy, creating a duet that feels like a private moment between two people sharing their faith with the world.

What makes “The Gift” truly special is its universality. The lyrics invite listeners to reflect on the gifts in their own lives, whether it’s the love of family, the strength of faith, or the beauty of simple moments. It’s a song that encourages gratitude, even in the face of life’s challenges.

The emotional depth of this track takes on even more significance when viewed in the context of Joey + Rory’s journey. Their music often reflected their personal trials and triumphs, and “The Gift” feels like an offering to fans—a reminder to treasure every moment, every blessing, every gift.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Joey + Rory or discovering their music for the first time, “The Gift” is a poignant reminder of why their artistry endures. It’s not just a song; it’s an experience that lingers long after the final note fades.

Video

Lyrics

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

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Perhaps the most famous—and dramatic—story is Kris Kristofferson’s unbelievable “dropped from the sky” introduction to Johnny Cash. In the late 1960s, Kristofferson—then an unknown young songwriter working as a janitor at Columbia Records in Nashville—had tried repeatedly to hand his demos to Cash, but always failed. His tapes would routinely get lost among the countless recordings the “Man in Black” received. Determined, Kristofferson—who’d served as a helicopter pilot in the military—took a daring step. During a National Guard training flight, he secretly altered the flight plan, piloted the helicopter himself, and landed it right in the yard of Johnny Cash’s home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. There are a few versions of what happened next. Cash often joked that Kristofferson emerged from the helicopter with a demo tape in one hand and a beer in the other. Kristofferson, however, insists he never drank beer while flying and wasn’t even sure Cash was home at the time. Whatever the precise truth, this audacious stunt worked beyond anyone’s imagination—it grabbed Johnny Cash’s attention in a powerful way. Not long after, Cash invited Kristofferson onstage at the Newport Folk Festival, and, most significantly, decided to record Kristofferson’s song “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.” That recording became a chart-topping hit, won the Country Music Association’s “Song of the Year,” and officially catapulted Kris Kristofferson to stardom.

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Perhaps the most famous—and dramatic—story is Kris Kristofferson’s unbelievable “dropped from the sky” introduction to Johnny Cash. In the late 1960s, Kristofferson—then an unknown young songwriter working as a janitor at Columbia Records in Nashville—had tried repeatedly to hand his demos to Cash, but always failed. His tapes would routinely get lost among the countless recordings the “Man in Black” received. Determined, Kristofferson—who’d served as a helicopter pilot in the military—took a daring step. During a National Guard training flight, he secretly altered the flight plan, piloted the helicopter himself, and landed it right in the yard of Johnny Cash’s home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. There are a few versions of what happened next. Cash often joked that Kristofferson emerged from the helicopter with a demo tape in one hand and a beer in the other. Kristofferson, however, insists he never drank beer while flying and wasn’t even sure Cash was home at the time. Whatever the precise truth, this audacious stunt worked beyond anyone’s imagination—it grabbed Johnny Cash’s attention in a powerful way. Not long after, Cash invited Kristofferson onstage at the Newport Folk Festival, and, most significantly, decided to record Kristofferson’s song “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.” That recording became a chart-topping hit, won the Country Music Association’s “Song of the Year,” and officially catapulted Kris Kristofferson to stardom.