[MOVEMENT I — COME ON IN]
[Church organ, soft piano, wooden pews creaking, gentle gospel hums. A warm, commanding female alto enters over a slow blues groove.]
Child, why you sitting in the shadows?
Come on out of that cold.
You look like you've been carrying
A burden far too heavy for your soul.
Now, I won't ask you for your story.
I won't ask you who's to blame.
But a baby needs some supper,
And the morning comes the same.
So wipe those tears, straighten your shoulders.
Let me tell you what I know.
I've seen winters steal the flowers,
But I've never seen them steal the soil.
[MOVEMENT II — THE GARDEN TESTIMONY]
[Upright piano, funky bass, handclaps, bright brass, bouncing drums. The rhythm becomes playful and theatrical.]
Everything you need is in the garden!
Even when the winter comes around!
When the branches lose their blossoms,
There is wood to gather from the ground!
Chop it down, build a fire!
Keep your little baby warm!
You don't wait upon a prince, child,
To protect you from a storm!
Everything you need is in the garden!
There is more than meets the eye!
When the river keeps on running,
There's a fish you might supply!
Cast your line, set your table,
Learn the things you never knew!
You'd be surprised what you can manage
When there's someone counting on you!
[MOVEMENT III — BABY TIME DON'T STOP]
[Full gospel-theatre groove, syncopated piano, brass stabs, joyful backing harmonies.]
Baby time don't stop for heartbreak!
Baby time don't wait for men!
Diapers need a little washing,
And they'll need washing again!
You can cry until the morning,
You can grieve the love you knew,
But that baby still needs rocking,
And the sun comes up for you!
Strap on your boots, child!
Tie them good and tight!
You can learn to walk through winter
Without waiting for daylight!
No man in sight?
You can still be all right!
No mama at your doorway?
You'll still make it through the night!
Everything you need is in the garden!
Not tomorrow—in today!
There's a little strength inside you
That the cold can't take away!
[MOVEMENT IV — WHAT THE WINTER TAUGHT ME]
[Music drops to organ, piano and a warm bass line. The church mother's voice becomes intimate, soulful, and tender.]
I once sat where you are sitting,
With the rain against the door.
Thought the world had taken everything,
Couldn't take another blow.
But the earth beneath my window
Held the seeds I couldn't see.
And the Lord didn't send a carriage—
He gave hands and strength to me.
I learned to mend a broken handle.
I learned to make a little stew.
I learned that asking God for courage
Meant doing what I had to do.
And some days I needed people.
Some days people carried me.
Being strong ain't being lonely.
It's knowing what you need.
[MOVEMENT V — YOU'RE RIGHT WHERE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE]
[The full band returns. Organ swells, brass answers the lead, gospel harmonies rise.]
You're right where you're supposed to be!
Though you can't yet see the road!
Every seed beneath the winter
Has a story to unfold!
You're right where you're supposed to be!
You ain't finished, can't you see?
You have lost some things you wanted,
But you've still got you, baby!
Everything you need is in the garden!
There's a harvest yet to grow!
You don't have to know the ending
To decide which way you'll go!
[FINAL VAMP — JOYFUL GOSPEL SOUL]
[Repeating piano riff, exuberant brass, layered choir harmonies, rising soulful ad-libs.]
Everything you need!
Everything you need!
When the winter comes,
There's a garden underneath!
Strap on your boots!
Stand up tall!
You may be little,
But you're not small!
Everything you need is in the garden!
Everything you need is in the garden!
[CODA — ORGAN AND VOICE]
[The band falls away. The church mother sings gently over a single organ chord.]
Now go on, child.
Feed that baby.
Plant a seed.
And when the spring comes,
You'll know what it means.
*Everything you need...*
*Is in the garden.*
[Warm final gospel chord.]