The Axe –man cometh.
Woodman, spare that tree!
Touch not a single bough!
In youth it sheltered me,
And I'll protect it now.
'Twas my forefather's hand
That placed it near his cot:
There, woodman, let it stand,
Thy axe shall harm it not!
Aside
The song above was written in the eighteen thirties but was revamped years later and was spoke/ sung by a chap with a dry, laconic voice which was mesmerising. I hoped to find it on You Tube. Does anyone remember it?
For the last two days our peaceful little lane has been shattered by ear-splitting noise pollution. The first sign of a clear day, and all the lawn mowers and hedge cutters start their monotonous cacophony, which builds up to a horrendous crescendo when the tree trimmers join in. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any louder the machine that devours the branches starts up. I guess part of me is relieved as the tree overlooking our garden looked pretty scary during the gales we have had recently. Not a day for my PCAs I think. See pics below.
7 comments:
Oh Pat that was lovely, I must admit that it is familiar - though I am afraid I can't remember when , or indeed where I heard it.
I will copy it for my files and will indulge myself when I have time - which I never seem to have much of these days.
Hello again Pat I have just Googled - Woodman spare that tree and the details came up on the screen.... have a look, gosh computers and Google are wonderful.
Cheers Kate x.
If trees could talk! I wonder what they'd say to us.
So that's the sound of spring now. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzawww Grrrraaaaagh Roar :-D
The man across the road from us chopped down, completely, two food-bearing trees. One used to bear mangoes...lush, full mangoes...and the other was a breadfruit tree. Breadfruit is a big, round veggie-type thing, boil it, fry it, it replaces bread. Or slice it thinly and deep fry with salt and pepper, it's makes lovely chips.
Spoke/sung in the 1830's? You dont look that old Mum2!
*I know! I'm off*
Kate: Glad you liked it. I googled too and I think the version I'm looking for was a Berlin adaptation. I'd love to find the singer I'm thinking of. He made it so funny and yet serious at the same time. It must be on You tube somewhere.
GG: I've often wondered what bread fruit was. Sounds yummy. I love my carbs.
Johnng: have you heard of 'thick esr' 'tusk up the bracket' and such like. You are sailing dangerously close to the the wind my boy!
Have you ever read "The Giving Tree" by Shell Silverstein to your grandkids?
It's the saddest children's story I've ever read but very, very beautiful and thought-provoking for the wee ones.
Sam: no I haven't. I'll look out for it.
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