Woodman, Spare That Tree! Lyrics

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

That old familiar tree

Whose glory and renown

Are spread o'er land and sea--

And wouldst thou hew it down?

Woodman forebear thy stroke!

Cut not its earth-bound ties;

Oh spare that aged oak

Now towering to the skies!

When but an idle boy

I sought its grateful shade;

In all their gushing joy

Here too my sisters played

My mother kissed me here;

My father pressed my hand--

Forgive this foolish tear

But let that old oak stand

My heart-strings round thee cling

Close as thy bark old friend!

Here shall the wild-bird sing

And still thy branches bend

Old tree! the storm still brave!

And woodman leave the spot;

While I've a hand to save

thy axe shall harm it not