Oak, Ash, and Thorn
(Words, Rudyard Kipling. Music, Peter Bellamy)
(E) Am Em Am / Am Dm Am
Am - / Am - / Am - / Am Dm Am
Of all the trees that grow so fair, old England to adorn,
Greater are none beneath the sun than Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn good sirs,
All on a midsummer's morn.
Surely we sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
Oak of the clay lived many a day o'er ever Aeneas began
Ash of the loam was a lady at home when Brut was an outlaw man,
And Thorn of the down saw new Troy town, from which was London born
Witness hereby the ancient try of Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
Sing . . .
Yew that is old, in churchyard mould, he breedeth a mighty bow
Alder for shoes do wise men choose, and Beech for cups also
But when you have killed, and you bowl it is filled, and your
shoes are clean outworn
Back you must speed for all that you need to Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
Sing . . .
Elm, she hates mankind, and waits till every gust be laid,
To drop a limb on the head of him that anyway trusts her shade,
But whether a lad be sober or sad, or mellow with ale from the
horn,
He'll taketh no wrong when he lyeth along 'neath Oak, and Ash, and
Thorn
Sing . . .
Oh, do not tell the priest our plight, or he would call it a sin,
But we've been out in the woods all night, a-conjuring summer in,
And we bring you good news by word of mouth, good news for cattle
and corn
Now is the sun come up from the south, by Oak, and Ash, and
Thorn.
Sing . . .
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Recorded by John Roberts and Tony Barrand on Dark Ships in
the Forest, Folk Legacy FSI65
Rudyard Kipling's "A Tree Song" sets the scene for the
stories and poems of "Puck of Pook's Hill." This setting of the
verses is by Peter Bellamy of Norwich, who, since the breakup of
the Young Tradition, has become one of Britain's best known
exponents of traditional song. He has arranged a considerable
number of Kipling's "songs," using original melodies or adapting
traditional ones. This tune is his own.
DC
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!