Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Connie graduated from Campbell Collegiate in Regina in 1972 and the University of Alberta in 1976 with a BFA degree in theatre. She performed with various theatre groups, including Theatre Passe Muraille, The Mummers, and 25th Street House Theatre, until 1979, when she gave it up to start a full-time music career.
In 1981, she founded her own independent record label, Coyote Entertainment, and has released fourteen albums. In 1997 she was featured performer in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on the last broadcast of Peter Gzowski's CBC national radio program Morningside.
She has won the Juno Award for best children's album three times. She won it in 1989, 2004, and 2005. However, most of her music is for adults. She co-wrote a song for the animated television series based on the comic strip For Better or For Worse, which debuted in 2000.
She is married to music producer and Hart-Rouge member Paul Campagne. They live in Montreal.
Her song "Wanderlust" was covered by Cosy Sheridan.
In 2003, her television show Wood River Hall debuted on VisionTV.
In 2006, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada.
A Tree Is Just A Tree
Connie Kaldor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But if you were a blue jay that’s not all you’d see
You’d look down on the leaves from way up in the air
And know your nest and family were waiting down there
In that tree, that beautiful tree, that tree
Oh a tree is just a tree to you and me
But if you were a squirrel that’s not all you’d see
And when the winter came around you’d be glad to see
That tree, that beautiful tree, that tree
Oh a tree is just a tree to you and me
But if you were a caterpillar that’s not all you’d see
You’d wrap a leaf around your cocoon to keep it dry
A little while later you’d emerge a butterfly
From that tree, that beautiful tree, that tree
Oh a tree is just a tree to you and me
But when the summer sun is hot that’s not all you’d see
You’d gladly sit beneath it to cool down in its shade
And that’s where you would have your picnic, drink some lemonade
Beneath that tree, that beautiful tree, that tree
The song "A Tree is Just a Tree" by Connie Kaldor is a beautiful and insightful tribute to the importance and beauty of trees. The song reminds us that a tree is not just a static object, but rather a living being that holds myriad meanings and purposes for different creatures. The song goes on to describe how a tree is perceived by different animals - a blue jay sees it as a place to build its nest, a squirrel as a hiding place for nuts, a caterpillar as a shelter for its cocoon, and humans as a place to relax in the shade and have a picnic.
Through these descriptions, Kaldor highlights the interconnectedness of nature, and the vital role that trees play in sustaining life on earth. The message of the song is clear - trees are not just objects to be used and discarded, but instead living beings that provide refuge, sustenance, and beauty to all creatures, including humans. It is a loving ode to these silent giants of the forest and a reminder to cherish and protect them.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh a tree is just a tree to you and me
People generally consider trees as nothing more than trees
But if you were a blue jay that’s not all you’d see
Blue jays observe trees from a different viewpoint and recognize it as a source of shelter for their family and home for their nest
You’d look down on the leaves from way up in the air
Blue jays have a bird's eye view of the tree, and can see its true purpose
And know your nest and family were waiting down there
Blue jays know that trees serve as a safe haven, and their nest and family are protected by it
In that tree, that beautiful tree, that tree
The blue jay sees the tree as a beautiful, magnificent creation of nature
But if you were a squirrel that’s not all you’d see
Squirrels have a different relationship with trees and use them for storage
You’d gather up the acorns and hide them in a tree
Squirrels collect acorns and use trees as a storage spot for their winter supply of food
And when the winter came around you’d be glad to see
Squirrels rely on the tree to provide for them during the harshness of winter
That tree, that beautiful tree, that tree
The beauty of the tree adds to its necessity in the life of a squirrel
But if you were a caterpillar that’s not all you’d see
Caterpillars view trees as a necessary component of their life cycle
You’d wrap a leaf around your cocoon to keep it dry
Caterpillars spin their cocoons up in the tree, using its leaves to ensure that it is protected and dry
A little while later you’d emerge a butterfly
The tree is part of the landscape for the caterpillar until it reaches its final transformation into a butterfly
From that tree, that beautiful tree, that tree
The tree is an essential part of the caterpillar's transformation into something more beautiful and transcendent
But when the summer sun is hot that’s not all you’d see
People tend to view trees as merely decorative, but there is so much more to them
You’d gladly sit beneath it to cool down in its shade
Trees provide shade and respite from the heat, making them a valuable commodity in the summer
And that’s where you would have your picnic, drink some lemonade
Trees also provide a setting for people to enjoy their leisure time, whether picnicking or simply relaxing
Beneath that tree, that beautiful tree, that tree
The beauty of the tree adds to its value as a place of comfort and relaxation for people
Lyrics © Évangeline/APEM
Written by: Connie Isabel Kaldor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind