Original song by Cindy Tonkin
Go to Randy Dandy Shanties main page
Love is the gift that you give
Love is the gift you receive
Nan made by hand all the clothes that I wore
Love is the gifts that you give.
Nan made a dress for me
It meant that she loved me well
By hand and in secret she made them each one
Love is the gift that you give
Love is the gift that you give
Love is the gift you receive
Nan made by hand all the clothes that I wore
Love is the gifts that you give.
For a christening when I was 10
A white polka dotted dress
Floaty white skirt and buttons like pearls
Love is the gift that you give
Love is the gift that you give
Love is the gift you receive
Nan made by hand all the clothes that I wore
Love is the gifts that you give.
Hospital stay at age 12
A robe decked with flowers galore
I felt so grown up alive and so loved
Love is the gift that you give
Love is the gift that you give
Love is the gift you receive
Nan made by hand all the clothes that I wore
Love is the gifts that you give.
I felt like a goddess you know
In chocolate brown velvet too
Puffy white sleeves and trimmings of lace
Love is the gift that you give
Love is the gift that you give
Love is the gift you receive
Nan made by hand all the clothes that I wore
Love is the gifts that you give.
A blue floaty skirt made me feel
A ballerina on ice
I was so beautiful, like a princess
Love is the gift that you give
Love is the gift that you give
Love is the gift you receive
Nan made by hand all the clothes that I wore
Love is the gifts that you give.
The pink dress was just like a cloud
Just like the rich girls next door
Everything Nan made was with love
Love is the gift that you give
Love is the gift that you give
Love is the gift you receive
Nan made by hand all the clothes that I wore
Love is the gifts that you give.
I married a man who sold clothes
I had all the dresses I wished
Polka dots pantsuits and denim and lace
Love is the gifts that you give.
Here’s what it sounds like.
Go to Randy Dandy Shanties main page
Click here for more Shanty originals from Randy Dandy Shanty Club.
This song is about my mother’s Nan – Ethel, who you see in the picture below. In my mum’s stories, the dresses that her Nan made her made her feel magical and special and most especially loved. This is more of women’s work – the sewing of clothing, for both emotional and practical uses. Also a classic example of gifts as a love language.
That’s Ethel in the image, holding me, on the left, and my mother’s brother (Robert) on the right. This was at my Aunt Lynette’s wedding I believe. Around 1964.
Here is the official Shanties site. Please do not contact me about Shanty business – I’m a fan, not a captain. Talk to them on [email protected], Instagram, or their web page.
