Lyrics:

This song appears on three albums, and was first released on the Higher Ground Album, and has also been released on The Gift You Are and The John Denver Collection - Sunshine On My Shoulder Albums.


Thank you for this precious day
These gifts you give to me
My heart so full of love for you
Sings praise for all I see
Oh sing for every mother's child
For every childhood tear
Oh sing for all the stars above
The peace beyond all fear

This is for the refugees
The ones without a home
A boat out on the ocean
A city street alone
Are they not some dear mother's child
Are they not you and I
Are we the ones to bear this shame
And they this sacrifice

Or are they just like falling leaves
Who give themselves away
From dust to dust from seed to shear
And to another day
If I could have one wish on Earth
Of all I can conceive
T'would be to see another spring
And bless the falling leaves

Thank you for this precious day
These gifts you give to me
My heart so full of love for you
Sings praise for all I see
Oh sing for every mother's child
For every childhood tear
Oh sing for all the stars above
The peace beyond all fear

Words and music by John Denver