Once there was a giving tree who loved a little boy.
And everyday the boy would come to play
Swinging from the branches, sleeping in the shade
Laughing all the summer’s hours away.
And so they love,
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

But soon the boy grew older and one day he came and said,
"Can you give me some money, tree, to buy something I’ve 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.

But 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 home."
"I can’t give you a house" he said, "The forest is my house."
"But you may cut my branches off and build yourself a home"
And so he did.
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 says, "and I need sunny days."
"I’ve nothing but my trunk," he says, "But you can 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 you if you ask for another gift."
"I’m nothing but an old stump now. I’m sorry but I’ve nothing more to give"
"I do not need very much now, just a quiet place to rest,"
The boy, he whispered, with a weary smile.
"Well", said the tree, "An old stump is still good for that."
"Come, boy", he said, "Sit down, sit down and rest a while."
And so he did and
Oh, the trees was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

-- Shel Silverstein from Bobby Bare's "Singing in the Kitchen", 1974

...nice...

That was nice. Thanks for sharing. Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) wrote some of the finest songs of the rock era. The list on his website looks like it runs into the hundreds. I have never heard this one. A couple that really touched me:

"The Queen of the Silver Dollar" by Emmylou Harris
"The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" by Maryann Faithful

And who can forget

"The Cover of the Rolling Stone" and "Freakin' at the Freakers' Ball" by Doctor Hook

It's about an abusive relationship. Silverstein was writing an allegory in order to get his friend Trixie to leave her pimp. Unfortunately, Trixie was savagely beaten to death by a bisexual midget high on pcp before Silverstein could give her the poem.

Wow, weird. Just this morning I was reading something that linked to Shel Silverstein and so I read that book again for the hell of it and then came and saw this thread. :eek:

- N

I happen to know a thing or two about Uncle Shel myself. One of my favorite songs besides the cover of the Rolling Stone is A Boy named Sue. Silverstein had a odd sense of humor and a great taste for the Gunga. That must explain the Freaker's Ball along with quite a few other writings. But don't forget his other works...Where the sidewalk ends...A light in the attic...and did you know that he also wrote a comic strip for Playboy? He is truely a literary genuis. I invite you all the taste test the Shel Silverstein experience.

If I may say, it's excellent (a family friend bought one for my son), but quite possibly the most depressing children's book ever written.

In addition to which, 'Uncle Shel' may be the most frightening looking children's author ever.

Geoff

i always thought he looked like Mr. T if he were white, and a child molestor.

regardless, i have been addicted to the guy's writing since the age of seven!

You know, that comparison struck me not unfavourably as well.

Frightening. And frighteningly good.

Geoff