The Trees
Richard Cheese Lyrics


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There is unrest in the forest,
There is trouble with the trees,
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas

The trouble with the maples,
(And they're quite convinced the're right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light

But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade

There is trouble in the forest,
And the creatures all have fled,
As the maples scream "Oppression"
And the oaks, just shake their heads

So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights
"The oaks are just too greedy;
We will make them give us light"

Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,




And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw

Overall Meaning

In Richard Cheese's song "The Trees", he seems to tell a story about a conflict brewing between two types of trees: the maples and the oaks. The story paints the picture of the maples being unhappy with the dwindling amount of sunlight they are receiving whilst the oaks enjoy the ideal amount. The maples then accuse the oaks of being greedy and "grabbing up all the light". The oaks, on the other hand, are only being themselves and enjoying their way of life.


Despite the ongoing conflict, the oaks can't comprehend why the maples aren't content with enjoying the shade, which seemed like a fair exchange to them. As the argument continues to build up, the creatures that used to inhabit the forest start to leave as they don't want to get involved. Eventually, the maples unite and demand equal rights. This leads to the passing of a new law: "the trees are all kept equal by hatchet, axe, and saw". The song might be interpreted as a commentary on the dangers that arise from advocating for too much equality at the cost of destroying individualism.


The lyrics to "The Trees" are largely metaphorical, and many have interpreted different meanings from the song, including environmentalists using the lines, "There is trouble in the forest, and the creatures all have fled" to raise awareness of the dangers of deforestation. Moreover, some have made political metaphors with the lines "Now there's no more oak oppression, for they passed a noble law" referencing the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.


Line by Line Meaning

There is unrest in the forest,
The forest is in a state of unease or disturbance.


There is trouble with the trees,
The trees are experiencing difficulties among themselves.


For the maples want more sunlight
The maple trees desire more exposure to sunlight.


And the oaks ignore their pleas
The oak trees are disregarding the request of the maple trees.


The trouble with the maples,
The maple trees are a source of complication.


(And they're quite convinced they're right)
The maple trees are certain that their stance is accurate.


They say the oaks are just too lofty
The maple trees assert that the oak trees are too self-important.


And they grab up all the light
The maple trees state that the oak trees take all of the sunlight for themselves.


But the oaks can't help their feelings
The oak trees are unable to control their emotions or sentiments.


If they like the way they're made
The oak trees are content with their natural form or state.


And they wonder why the maples
The oak trees express confusion over why the maple trees


Can't be happy in their shade
Are unable to be satisfied in the shade provided by oak trees.


There is trouble in the forest,
The forest is in a state of chaos or uncertainty.


And the creatures all have fled,
All the animals in the forest have vacated the area.


As the maples scream "Oppression"
The maple trees are shouting out that they are being suppressed.


And the oaks, just shake their heads
The oak trees simply shake their heads in response to this outcry.


So the maples formed a union
The maple trees joined together to form an alliance.


And demanded equal rights
They requested equal treatment to the oak trees.


"The oaks are just too greedy;
The maple trees claim that the oak trees are excessively desirous.


We will make them give us light"
They declare they will take the sunlight for themselves.


Now there's no more oak oppression,
The oak trees no longer suppress the maple trees.


For they passed a noble law,
A just decree was passed.


And the trees are all kept equal
All the trees now have the same standing.


By hatchet, axe, and saw
The resolution was enforced by tools like hatchets, axes, and saws used to cut down trees.




Contributed by Gavin T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

RINO FILM CINAMA

I love this

Troy Thomas

Neil would be proud.

You Have to Live It

Holy shit never knew you did rush

fun dice

Probably my favorite cover by you. Come to Niagara Falls or Buffalo please!

• TurnIps •

Exquisite

Apple Crab Plus

Honestly, one of your bests

SyBorg Jawaka

Scooby and Scrappy Doo hahaha

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