An old boy was fumblin around one day in a women’s clothing store

He’d found his wife a Christmas coat and was headed for the door

When he bumped into a little boy that looked like he was lost

And he said “Mister can you help me find out how much something costs?

Here it is almost Christmas and the nights are gettin cold

Winter time is on us and my mom don’t have a coat

I’ve been workin for the neighbors and saving for a time”

And in his tiny outstretched hand was a dollar and a dime

His gaze went from that big eyed boy to that pretty Christmas coat

And he finally cleared away the lump that had gathered in his throat 

He said “Son, that’s just what this coat costs, we’re lucky that we found ‘er”

And he turned around and gave a wink to the lady at the counter 

She put it in a pretty box and wrapped it up just so

And went off in the back and found a big red Christmas bow

He said “ I thank you for your help sir and I kindly thank you ma’am 

I hope y’all are gonna have a big Christmas  cause now I know I am”

Well the old boy walked home busted except for the dollar and the dime

Thinkin he’d just have to buy the coat another time

He told his wife that Christmas this year wouldn’t be much fun

And he gently took her in his arms and told her what he’d done

She said “Why you old softie, I wouldn’t trade you for a farm 

I’ve got two or three old coats and your love to keep me warm “

She put that money in a matchbox and placed it beneath their tree

And said “that is the grandest gift you’ve ever given me”

The years went by like years will do when people are in love

Their marriage was a golden bond that was forged by God above

Then one day came some bitter news that filled his heart with fright 

The doctor told the old man’s wife that she was going to lose her sight 

He said “there’s an operation we can do but it puts me on the spot

Cause it’s a quite complex procedure and it’s going to cost a lot”

The old man said “doctor I’m a failure, I’ve made no preparation 

We don’t have the money for that kind of an operation “

The doctor got the strangest look and he sat there for a while 

And then he slowly nodded and he broke out in a smile

He said “Why sir you can’t fool me you’re a very wealthy man

You long ago invested in the world’s best savings plan 

I’ll see she gets the best of care,  she’s going to be just fine 

And the total cost to you old friend  is a dollar and a dime”

The old man stared in disbelief then he recognized that smile 

The one he’d seen those years ago on a loving thoughtful child

He said “what you gave to me that day was more than just a coat

You gave me the gift of giving and you gave my mother hope 

My mother’d been mistreated, neglected and abused

But she gave life just one more chance and it was all because of you 

Now every year she takes that coat and lays it beneath our tree

It represents to us the things that Christmas ought to be 

She says that when we leave this world for a better home someday 

The only things that we’ll take with us are the things we gave away “