The following song, soon to be posted as a recording on my website, celebrates the tree as an example for living by viewing trees in figurative terms, through double-meanings, metaphors, and symbols. After reading the lyrics, think of some other part of Nature that offers us a role model as inspiring as a tree. Maybe you will write about mountains or streams, oceans or clouds, rainbows or flowers, bees, birds, butterflies, animals…the list is as broad as your imagination!
If Everyone Lived Like the Tree
A song by Susan L. Lipson © 2003
Oh, how much better off we’d be,
If everyone lived like the tree! [Repeat]
Reaching upward, toward the Light,
Even during the darkest night,
Standing firmly upon our ground,
As each new season comes around.
We always value our deep, strong roots,
Just as much as our new, green shoots.
Limbs extended, we all embrace
All of the Earth and all in space.
Oh, how much better off we’d be,
If everyone lived like the tree! [Repeat]
Broadening while we’re heightening,
Though stormy weather is frightening,
We grow by giving to our Earth,
Showing how much our lives are worth.
We give far more than we receive,
Living upright until we leave;
We blossom proudly, and don’t feel shame,
When buds and trunks are not the same….
Oh, how much better off we’d be,
If everyone lived like the tree! [Repeat]
We dance with earthquakes and in monsoons,
Branches catching harsh winds as tunes,
And while they whistle, we all conduct,
Waving limbs as our leaves are plucked.
We offer shelter, and food, and shade,
And only ask for respect in trade,
We weather seasons so gracefully,
Happy to live life like a tree.
Oh, how much better off we’d be,
If everyone lived like the tree! [Repeat]
If everyone lived like the tree!
If everyone lived like…
the tree!
Brings back memories...as a high school student, my Biology grade was greatly effected for good by a parody I wrote for National Arbor Day to a Guy Lombardo song-"Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think!"
ReplyDeletePlease save those trees,
They're older than you think.
Please save those trees
While they're still in the pink.
They all can die
As quickly as a wink.
We shout our pleas,
(Spoken)Please save those trees,
It's later than you think! (Cha-cha-cha!)
Not quite as literary as yours, Ms. Lipson, but it got me an "A!"
Thanks for sharing, Jane. Today's the official New Year of the Trees. I just donated to American Forests, ArborDay.org, and Jewish National Fund (JNF.org) to have trees planted. I'm planting bushes on my own property, though--it's fortunately full of trees!
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