Diamonds

words and music by Doug Howell (11 Nov 1979)

a thousand diamonds on the back of a leaf
a hundred on a single blade of grass
frosty jewels fallen from some store of wealth unseen
sunlight through the crystals on a glass
prisms splashing colors in the air
swirlin’ all around me everywhere

you give me diamonds everyday
and every night the Milky Way
tell me now, can this mean
we’re promised to each other
you give me diamonds everyday

ten thousand diamonds on the surface of a lake
riding on the crests of rippling waves
holding in my hand a disappearing snowflake
a glimmer for each teardrop that you save
and reflected in the wink of each new friend
they tell my heart this love will never end

you give me diamonds everyday
and every night the Milky Way
tell me now, can this mean
we’re promised to each other
you give me diamonds everyday

(Instrumental interlude)
it all seems much too perfect to be true
you loving me, me loving you

you give me diamonds everyday
and every night the Milky Way
tell me now, can this mean
we’re promised to each other
you give me diamonds everyday

2019 Notes

OK, I admit it. More than one of my songs was inspired by a leaf.

I was on the campus of Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and I was a day early for my concert. I liked to do that whenever I could: come to a campus early, before anyone knew who I was, and just hang out. Get to know some of the students before they had a chance to put me on a pedestal. I had some wonderful experiences in those extra days, and made some friends I haven’t been able to forget. And it made the concerts themselves lots more fun, and a lot more memorable.

I was dragging a bit as I walked across campus in the morning chill, wondering what the day might bring. Looking down. It had frosted during the night, and I was watching my step, I guess, when out of the corner of my eye I saw a brilliant sparkle that stopped me in my tracks. The sun, peeking above the horizon for approval, had sent out a special ray to attract my attention. When I looked closer, I saw an overturned leaf, covered with—diamonds! And oh, how I needed a promise right about then.

Throughout that day and the days afterward, I was struck by just how extravagant God is with his diamonds—and his promises. Now that my eyes were opened, I seemed to see them everywhere: right in front of me, where I least expected them to be, in my memories, in my future… I’m still seeing them. I could add many, many new verses to this song, but I’ve decided to stay with the original three.

Years ago when we visited Disneyworld, I remember being mesmerized by the lights they’d embedded into the sidewalks, twinkling with color as we walked toward the exit that evening. But it’s not just at Disneyworld you can walk on a rainbow. The other day, underfoot, as I walked along the cliffs on the 400-year-old black, crumbling lava, there it was. The sun was rising behind me, warming my neck, my legs, and casting diamonds before me on the path.

A big thanks to David Glaser for helping me on background vocals!