bryan field mcfarland ₪ sassafrasongs: Listen

Bryan Field McFarland

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Tuning: CGDGCD, Capo 4 Written in: Greensboro, NC & Louisville, KY, 2003 Originally conceived as the project's title, "What's Been Given" is my realization/credo that at the core of everyone is the spark of God. The human task is to embark upon the journey within and bring that God-spark out into the world. I have always loved singing "This Little Light of Mine". This song is my version.

The first verse is about my paternal grandfather, Harris who knew that oil was on his property in Mississippi at Jurassic salt level. In the late 1950s he brought in a drilling company and was proven right.

I thought that this drilling was a great metaphor for what I know I have deep within to bring out, hence the struggle of the middle verse.

The final verse expands this to look at us all in this light of God's creativity.

Down to Jurassic he had them go. Deep ‘neath that Mississippi mud.
Down through the family & friends the rumors flowed.
There’s some of him here in my blood.
Underneath those cotton and watermelon crops he knew another field was there. So I’m looking around at what I’ve planted on the top
and I’m digging deep to find what’s waiting there.

What’s been given to me? What’s gone undiscovered?
What’s beneath the layers that time has covered up?
What’s been given to me? What’s yet to be uncovered?
What’s been given, been given, been given to me?

I took some moments in a private get-a-way. Even that a gift I gave to me.
Time to scratch beneath all the layers I had made and take a look at things I seldom see.
I wrote about my yearnings, my life, my many faults.
I cooked and cleaned and walked in glades of winter.
I broke the locks and opened doors to hidden, inner vaults
and dreamt that all around me had been splintered.

Chorus

There’s been plenty and I’ve striven. I’ve known joy and I’ve known pain.
But when I think of what’s been given I find my life all over again.

Chorus

Through all the ages humans have been around there’ve been those who have seen
Deep at the core of us are mysteries profound. A shimmering spark of our Creator’s sheen.
So, there’s no need to look outside for worth of who we are.
It comes from deep inside what makes us driven.
Time to unhitch all my dreams from shooting stars
and look harder now at what’s been given.

Chorus