The Giving Tree

Once there was a giving tree who loved a little boy
And every day the boy would come to play
Swinging from her branches, sleepin' in her shade
Laughing all the summer hours away
And so they love and oh, the tree was happy
Oh, the tree was glad

But soon the boy grew older and one day he came to say
"Can you give me some money, tree, to buy some things I found"
"I have no money", said the tree, "Just apples, twigs, and leaves
But you can take my apples, boy, and sell them in the town"
And so he did and oh, the tree was happy
Oh, the tree was glad

And soon again the boy came back and he said to the tree
"I'm now a man and I must have a house that's all my own"
"I can't give you a house", she said, "The forest is my house
But you may cut my branches off and build yourself a home"
And so he did and oh, the tree was happy
Oh, the tree was glad

And time went by and the boy came back with sadness in his eyes
"My life has turned so cold", he said, "And I need sunny days"
"I've nothin' but my trunk", she said, "But you may cut it down
And build yourself a boat and sail away"
And so he did and oh, the tree was happy
Oh, the tree was glad

And after years the boy came back, both of them were old
"I really cannot help ye if you ask another gift
I'm nothin' but an old stump now, I'm sorry boy", she said
"I'm sorry but I've nothin' more to give"

"I don't need very much now, just a quiet place to rest"
The boy he'd whispered with a weary smile
"Well", said the tree, "An old stump still is good for that
Come boy", she said, "Sit down, sit down and rest awhile"
And so he did and oh, the tree was happy
Oh, the tree was glad