John Mark McMillan - Silver & Gold Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
Silver and gold, silver and gold
Everyone wishes for silver and gold
How do you measure its worth?
Just by the pleasure it gives here on earth
Verse 2
Silver and gold, silver and gold
Mean so much more when I see
Silver and gold decorations
On every Christmas tree
Verse 3
Silver and gold, silver and gold
Horses and yo-yos and wishing for snow
What could compare to their worth?
There is no treasure like them here on earth
Verse 4
They're young, then their old, before you know
They'll have their own family
The days, they won't last forever
They're silver and gold to me
Verse 5
Silver and gold, silver and gold
Parties and presents, kisses and toes
What could compare to their worth?
All of the people we love here on earth
Outro
They come and they go, friends that you know
So hold them in your memories
All precious gifts of the Giver
Are silver and gold to me
Video
Sarah McMillan - "Silver & Gold" | Christmas Yule Log Fireplace
Meaning & Inspiration
John Mark McMillan's "Silver & Gold," released in 2018 as part of the album *Smile In the Mystery*, invites a profound re-evaluation of worldly treasures through a distinctly biblical lens. The song opens by presenting the common human pursuit of material wealth – the titular silver and gold – immediately questioning its true worth by framing it solely by the fleeting pleasures it offers on Earth. This echoes the wisdom found in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus admonishes his followers not to store up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19). McMillan subtly shifts our perspective, suggesting that the real value of "silver and gold" isn't in its metallic form but in its metaphorical representation, particularly as seen in the adornments of a Christmas tree. This connection to the Nativity story, the birth of Christ, implicitly links true treasure to divine gift rather than earthly acquisition.
The song then continues to explore various earthly desires, from childhood wishes for toys and snow to the natural progression of life, with individuals growing, starting families, and experiencing the passage of time. McMillan poignantly observes that these fleeting moments and cherished relationships are, in fact, the true "silver and gold." This resonates deeply with the scriptural emphasis on the eternal value of love and fellowship, as highlighted in passages like Proverbs 17:17, which states, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." The song challenges us to recognize that the immeasurable worth of our loved ones, the simple joys of shared experiences, and the very passage of days are the precious, non-fungible assets that truly enrich our lives. The "parties and presents, kisses and toes" mentioned are not superficial indulgences but rather markers of human connection and affection, reminding us that "all of the people we love here on earth" are the ultimate treasure.
In the outro, McMillan solidifies this idea by acknowledging the transient nature of friendships and relationships, urging listeners to hold them in their memories. He concludes with a powerful affirmation: "All precious gifts of the Giver, are silver and gold to me." This direct attribution to "the Giver" leaves no doubt about the song's theological underpinnings, pointing to God as the ultimate source of all true blessings. This perspective aligns with James 1:17, which declares, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." "Silver & Gold" serves as a beautiful reminder that our Heavenly Father bestows upon us treasures far more enduring and valuable than anything the world can offer, encouraging us to identify and cherish these divine gifts in our daily lives, finding the profound richness that lies not in possession, but in God's abundant grace and the love He cultivates within us.