All is Gift

The Story of “Todo es Don”: A Song of Surrender and Grace

Those who hear it say it feels less like a composition and more like a prayer that has always existed—waiting to be discovered in the silence of a soul surrendering to God.

One can visualize it as coming from a Jesuit retreat in the mountains of Spain, where  groups of novices spend 30 days immersed in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. After weeks of deep prayer and reflection, moved by the Gospel passage of the lilies of the field, the heart speaks a simple yet profound truth:

"Nada tengo, nada es mío,

pero en Ti, Señor, confío."

This message can be embraced by those living in poverty—not as a lament, but as a hymn of trust. And for finding in its words the courage to let go.

The melody adapts to different places and cultures. In some communities, it can be sung slowly, almost like a chant, with voices rising and falling in quiet reverence. In others, it can be played with gentle guitar strumming, flowing like a lullaby for the soul. And some can even add verses, while others may strip it down to its essence: "Nada tengo, nada me ata, soy libre en Ti… y eso me basta."

How the Community Perceives It

For Jesuits, Todo es Don is a song of profound significance, to be sung in moments of deep reflection—before taking final vows, during silent retreats, or after long days of mission work. It is not just a song, but an act of trust, a surrender to divine providence that echoes the very essence of the vow of poverty.

Among the poor and marginalized, the song takes on another meaning. Those who have lost everything, yet still hold onto faith, find in its words a quiet affirmation: true wealth is not found in what we own, but in who we are in God. In soup kitchens, in simple chapels with wooden benches, and in homes where people have little but share everything, Todo es Don can be sung not as a resignation to suffering, but as a hymn of gratitude for the unseen blessings of grace and community.

Even those who do not live the vow of poverty in a religious sense are drawn to the song’s message. Lay volunteers, teachers, and social workers can sing it as a reminder that their mission is not about what they give up, but about the love they receive in return. The song is specially useful in moments of personal discernment, guiding those who struggle with decisions about career, family, and purpose, gently reminding them that letting go is not loss, but freedom.

What makes the song so powerful is its simplicity. There are no grand theological statements, no elaborate metaphors—just a quiet, unwavering trust in God. And that is why it endures.

Final Reflection

Perhaps the reason Todo es Don calls to be sung is that it speaks to something universal: the deep longing for freedom, the desire to live without fear, and the understanding that everything we have is ultimately a gift.

Its message is clear. Whether whispered in a darkened chapel, sung around a fire in a mission outpost, or hummed in solitude, Todo es Don carries the same promise—that in surrender, we are not left with nothing, but with everything that truly matters.

And so, as long as there are those willing to trust, willing to let go, and willing to walk lightly in the footsteps of Christ, this song will be sung—wherever hearts seek freedom, wherever hands serve with love, and wherever souls find peace in knowing that all is gift.

A sense of quiet awe, evoking the peace and surrender that comes with trusting completely in God's providence. The melody is simple yet profound, allowing the weight of the lyrics to guide the listener into contemplation. The instrumental arrangement is delicate and reflective—acoustic guitar or piano forming the foundation, with soft strings (violin or cello) adding depth and warmth. A gentle, steady rhythm carries the song forward, resembling the movement of a flowing stream—calm, unhurried, yet constant.

The lead vocal is tender and intimate, as if singing a personal prayer. A tenor or alto voice, rich with emotion but never overpowering, best conveys the vulnerability and strength of surrender. Harmonies are subtle, emerging softly in key moments, particularly in the chorus and outro, reinforcing the communal nature of faith.

As the song nears its conclusion, it feels as though the words are dissolving into prayer, the final notes fading like a whispered act of trust. Whether sung in a chapel, at a retreat, or in a moment of personal reflection, Todo es Don leaves the listener with a sense of peace and freedom, carrying the simple yet profound message: when we hold onto nothing, we gain everything.

[Intro]

Nada tengo, nada es mío,

pero en Ti, Señor, confío.

Si lo dejo todo atrás,

me sostienes, Tú me das.

[Verso 1]

Los lirios visten sin temor,

Tú los cuidas con amor.

Como el pájaro en su vuelo,

en tus manos encuentro el cielo.

[Coro]

Suelto todo, sigo a Cristo,

nada es mío, todo es don.

En la entrega hallo vida,

en la pobreza, bendición.

[Verso 2]

Sin riquezas, sin fronteras,

mi tesoro es quien me espera.

Nada quiero, todo es gracia,

mi alma es libre en tu casa.

[Outro]

Si nada tengo, nada me ata,

soy libre en Ti… y eso me basta.

All is Gift (“Todo es Don”)
by Anonymous Author

[Intro]

I have nothing, nothing is mine,

But in You, Lord, I trust divine.

If I leave it all behind,

You sustain me, You provide.

[Verse 1]

The lilies bloom without a care,

You clothe them with love so rare.

Like the sparrow in the sky,

In Your hands, my soul will fly.

[Chorus]

I let go, I follow Christ,

Nothing is mine, all is gift.

In surrender, life is found,

In poverty, grace abounds.

[Verse 2]

Without riches, without walls,

My true treasure is Your call.

I need nothing, all is grace,

In Your house, my soul is safe.

[Outro]

If I have nothing, I am free,

For in Your love, that is enough for me.