Lyrics Oak & Ash & Thorn by Rudyard Kipling

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 on 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 e'er ever Aeneas began
Ash of the loam was a lady at home when Brut was an outlaw man
And thorn of the down saw New Troy town, from which was London born
Witness hereby the ancient try of oak and ash and thorn

Sing: oak and ash and thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we sing of no little thing
In 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 you have killed, and your bowl is filled, and your shoes are clean outworn
Back you must speed for all that you need to oak and ash and thorn

Sing: oak and ash and thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we sing of no little thing
In oak and ash and thorn

Elm, 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 lyeth along 'neath oak and ash and thorn

Sing: oak and ash and thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we sing of no little thing
In 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 on a midsummer's morn
England shall bide till judgment-tide
By oak and ash and thorn