I Give It All To You (1982) – Kenny Marks

If I could journey back through time
And gather all I once called mine
I know today that You would find
It all belongs to You

I Give It All To You is a contemporary Christian song from the late American Christian singer-songwriter Kenny Marks. Ever since I first heard it in my early adolescence, I found it touching and poignant in its modest and quiet presentation. It is a beautifully humble song and so well written. Kenny Marks sings from the perspective of a man who has never had much material wealth, but declares that if he did, he would give it all to God. He is willing to turn everything over to God – including himself.

I Give It All To You is a refreshing change from much of the more popular Christian music in the form of “worship” or “outreach,” which can sometimes be bold and brash in its proclamation of love and adoration for God. Don’t get me wrong – some of that music is very inspiring, powerful in its devotion, and draws people closer to God. It has also featured here quite prominently. But what I have always liked about Kenny Marks’ music is that it often focuses on simple, real-life themes. As a result, both the music and the man felt more relatable and grounded.

I have made no secret on this blog that I have a strong appreciation for Christian music, and Kenny Marks is the first artist I can remember listening to in what became a long line of Christian musicians who have since featured here, including Hillsong, Michael W Smith, Marcela Gandara and Elenyi. Kenny came from the Evangelical and Charismatic branches of Christianity and played for fellowship groups as well as at Billy Graham events.

I first came to know Kenny Marks’ music when a good friend in high school, Eric, loaned me some of his albums. I connected with it straight away. Some years later, I bought his “best of” compilation titled Absolutely, Positively (1994), which also features I Give It All To You. The song was first released on his debut album Follow Me (1982).

Is this song – or any of Kenny’s music – going to win awards for best-ever Christian music or go down in history as one of the greats of the genre? I don’t know, but it should hardly be worth of consideration. Kenny is not a household name, even in Christian music circles. And assuredly his name isn’t known to a younger generation of Christian music listeners, but he was at his height in the 1980s and 1990s – something of a Christian star, with a loyal following and a string of U.S. Christian radio hits.

To me, Kenny Marks will always remain something of a giant because of how much his music impacted me as a young person. My appreciation for his songs has not faded in the slightest – I still feel the same personal connection as I did all those years ago. His music marked an important chapter in my youth, and I cannot help but feel some sense of nostalgia toward it.

I was also saddened to learn, early in my music library project while researching his work to present here, that he had passed away in 2018 from a heart attack at just 68 years of age.

As always, thanks for reading.

I’ve never been a wealthy man
Owned boats and planes and lots of land
But if I did, You know I’d plan
To give it all to You
I’ve never been able to buy
All the stars in the sky
But if I did, You know that I
Would give it all to You

I give You all, all You see
Even though there’s not much to me
And all I ever hoped to be
Is everything to You
I give You all, all I’ve got
Even though there’s not a lot
All I am and all I’m not
I give it all to You
I give it all to You

If I could journey back through time
And gather all I once called mine
I know today that You would find
It all belongs to You
If I should ever be a king
Own the world and everything
You know it still would be my dream
To give it all to You

I give You all, all You see
Even though there’s not much to me
And all I ever hoped to be
Is everything for You
I give You all, all I’ve got
Even though there’s not a lot
All I am and all I’m not
I give it all to You
I give it all to You

References:
1. Kenny Marks – Wikipedia