Day 16: Oak, Ash And Thorn (A Tree Song)
Song Information
This is the title track of Bellamy's first album of Kipling settings Oak, Ash & Thorn in 1970 (and warranted inclusion for that specifically) - Kipling originally titled this A Tree Song, which was part of the story Weland's Sword. Bellamy noted Both the tale and the song set the mood and pattern for all the stories and poems which follow.
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It's quite possibly the most famous of all the Kipling settings that Bellamy did - I've encountered this being sung by what feels like everyone:
- When I joined the Sheffield Folk Chorale in 2011, this was one of the first songs that was put in front of me. Graham Pratt's skill as an arranger of songs for 4 part harmony was in full force, and it's one of the best pieces of work he's put in front of the choir.
- Beggar's Velvet version on Lady of Autumn is brilliant - as is the rest of the album.
- Cockersdale recorded it on Wide Open Skies in 1997, using the original poem's title.
- The Longest Johns recorded it on Cures What Ails Ye, and it was apparently a regular in their livestreams before that album release.
- It's also the title of the tribute album put together by Folk Police Recordings, where The Unthanks performed it.
Listen to the Song
Lyrics
Of all the trees that grow so fair,
Old England to adorn,
Greater are none beneath the Sun,
Than Oak and Ash and Thorn.
Sing Oak and Ash and Thorn, good Sirs
(All of a Midsummer’s morn)!
Surely we sing of no little thing,
In Oak and Ash and Thorn!
Oak of the Clay lived many a day,
Or ever Aeneas began;
Ash of the Loam was a lady at home,
When Brut was an outlaw man;
Thorn of the Down saw New Troy Town
(From which was London born);
Witness hereby the ancientry
Of Oak and Ash and Thorn!
Yew that is old in churchyard mould,
He breedeth a mighty bow;
Alder for shoes do wise men choose,
And beech for cups also.
But when ye have killed, and your bowl is spilled,
Your shoes are clean outworn,
Back ye must speed for all that ye need,
To Oak and Ash and Thorn!
Ellum she hates mankind, and waits
Till every gust be laid,
To drop a limb on the head of him,
That anyway trusts her shade:
But whether a lad be sober or sad,
Or mellow with ale from the horn,
He’ll take no wrong when he lieth along
’Neath Oak and Ash and Thorn!
Oh, do not tell the Priest our plight,
Or he would call it a sin;
But—we’ve been out in the woods all night,
A-conjuring Summer in!
And we bring you news by word of mouth –
Good news for cattle and corn –
Now is the Sun come up from the South,
With Oak and Ash and Thorn!
Sing Oak and Ash and Thorn, good Sirs
(All of a Midsummer’s morn)!
England shall bide till Judgement Tide,
By Oak and Ash and Thorn!