Trees
Nelson Eddy Lyrics
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A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
The song "Trees" by Nelson Eddy talks about the beauty and awe-inspiring nature of trees. The first two lines lay out the poet's belief that nothing can compare to the beauty of a tree. As the poem continues, the poet paints an image of a tree that is both powerful and vulnerable. The imagery of the tree's "hungry mouth" pressing against the earth emphasizes the tree's rootedness in the natural world, while the notion of the tree looking at God and lifting its leaves to pray emphasizes the spiritual nature of trees.
The second stanza of the poem describes the tree in the summer, as a place of rest and refuge for birds. The third stanza talks about the tree in winter, emphasizing the way in which trees are a part of the natural cycle of the changing seasons. Finally, the poet muses on the nature of poetry and creation, concluding that while poems are made by human beings, only God can create something as magnificent as a tree.
Overall, "Trees" is a poem that pays tribute to the power and beauty of nature, particularly the majesty of trees. The poem encourages the reader to look at trees with a sense of wonder and appreciation, and to recognize the inherent worth of the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
I think that I shall never see
I doubt I will ever behold
A poem lovely as a tree.
Anything as beautiful as a tree doesn't exist in verse
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
A tree that yearns to consume
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
Nourished by the earth's generous, life-giving soil
A tree that looks at God all day,
A tree that gazes upon God unceasingly
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that, as if in worship, raises its branches high
A tree that may in summer wear
A tree that, perhaps in summer, may adorn
A nest of robins in her hair;
With a birds' nest nestled in her foliage
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Whose trunk has endured winter's frigid snow
Who intimately lives with rain.
A tree that exists in a close relationship with the rain
Poems are made by fools like me,
Only fools think they can express in poetry
But only God can make a tree.
Trees, wondrous and magical, can only be created by the divine
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOYCE KILMER, OSCAR RASBACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Annie B
You and me both, John! Such a shame that people today have no idea what true music is!
Are you familiar with the poem, FRIENDS? (A take-off on TREES.)
I think that God will never send
A gift so precious as a friend,
A friend who always understands
And fills each need as it demands;
Whose loyalty will stand the test,
When skies are bright or overcast;
Who sees the faults that merit blame,
But keeps on loving just the same;
Who does far more than creeds could do
To make us good, to make us true.
Earth's gifts a sweet enjoyment lend
But only God can give a friend.
Rosalie Carter
I thought this might be a blessing to you, John.
As I write this, The General Sherman's life is in God's hands as the fires are doing all they can be engulf it. God made it and at this point, only He can preserve it. I hope you'll join me in praying for that magnificent tree.
Michael Ku
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
--------------------------------------------
IN MEMORY OF
Joan Carles Rafel
~ mku
mark kershner
Nelson died at 65 , but fortunately he recorded so many superb timeless, beautiful songs. Such a wonderful voice!
Tex Plays
This is my favorite rendition of Trees. I saw all the Nelson Eddy/Jeanette McDonald movies. His voice is so pure and sings the melody as it was written! Love it!!!!
Christine Bradley
My Dad's favorite song sung by Nelson. I learned it early as a child and when I got married, my husband and I visited the Redwoods in California. I was thrilled when I heard this song being played there and sung by Nelson Eddy. How awesome. No one could sing it better. It was so moving to look at these massive trees and listening to this song. Thanks for the video.
John Iovine
i was 8 years old singing in a choir and was soloist at that time when our music director/teacher taught all of us the song ''TREES' i couldnt stop singing it night and day at home i loved it so much and to this day stil do.its such a beautiful meaningful song such true words ,i had forgotten one line in it but now it came back when nelson sang it so beautifully. Bravo nels Bravo. nelson had such a wonderful voice wow he was a baritone so rich and so plesant on the ear. just wonderful it was a sad day when we lost jeanette so vxery young and he just a f ew years later. both young really. they had a lovely romance going that they tried to keep secret. then after making 8 or 9 movies together they no longer did make any more together. that was a big sin . i wish they would have continujed together just a few may years they never had split up. sad.we lost great talent when we lost them. god bnless them in the world of the truth.
Gemma Walker
my nans all time favourite song.. had it played at her funeral only now can I fully appreciate how beautiful it is 💔..
Ange Browne
I love trees. Always have. I also love bonsai. When I think of trees I usually remember this poem sung.
Beautiful. Man can reach the dome and dive the depths of the oceans. He can travel through the sound barrier and make very humanlike robots but - Yes, only God can make a tree.
Meredith Short
The best baritone of his time. Ever?
Gemini730
I have heard Robert Merrill`s very nice rendition of this song, but I like Nelson`s the best. Nelson loved poetry and he sang several poems set to music in his repertoir. Lorraine
Sara W
My mother's favorite version and mine too. Beautiful and timeless.
Maree Wilkinson
My Dad sang this in the 50's. He had a wonderful tenor voice.