I saw a tree by the riverside one day as I walked along.
Straight as an arrow and pointing to the sky, growing tall and strong.
“How did you grow so tall and strong?” I said to the riverside tree.
Refrain
This is the song that my tree friend sang to me:
“I’ve got roots growing down to the water;
I’ve got leaves growing up to the sunshine;
And the fruit that I bear is a sign of the life in me.
I am shade from the hot summer sundown;
I am nest for the birds of the heaven.
I’m, becoming what the Lord of trees has meant me to be:
A strong, young tree.”
I saw a tree in the winter-time when snow lay on the ground.
Straight as an arrow and pointing to the sky,
And winter winds blew all around.
“How do you stay so tall and strong?” I said to the winter-time tree.
Refrain
I saw a tree in the city streets where buildings blocked the sun:
Green and lovely, I could see it gave joy to everyone.
“How do you grow in the city streets?” I said to the downtown tree.
Refrain