For Recitation:
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 ax 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, forbear 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 heartstrings 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 ax shall harm it not.
_George P. Morris,_
[Footnote 002: NOTE.--Many trees in our country are landmarks, and are
valued highly. The early settlers were accustomed to plant trees and
dedicate them to liberty. One of these was planted at Cambridge, Mass.,
and it was under the shade of this venerable Elm that George Washington
took command of the Continental army, July 3rd, 1775.
There are other trees around whose trunks and under whose boughs whole
families of children passed much of their childhood. When one of these
falls or is destroyed, it is like the death of some honored citizen.
Judge Harris of Georgia, a scholar, and a gentleman of extensive
literary culture, regarded "Woodman, Spare that Tree" as one of the
truest lyrics of the age. He never heard it sung or recited without
being deeply moved.]
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