While a number of people have inferred a political message in the lyrics of the song, Neil Peart has remarked that the inspiration for penning the song simply came from a humorous comic strip he read which depicted trees arguing like people, and that no political commentary was intended by the lyrics.
The song is featured on many of Rush's compilation albums and has been a perennial fan favorite of Rush's live shows. On the live album Exit...Stage Left, the short instrumental Broon's Bane is performed as a short introduction to this song.
The song is featured in an episode of King of the Hill titled, "The Witches of East Arlen." In this episode, Bobby Hill acquires tarot cards and joins a coven of warlocks.
Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine covered the song for their 2006 Christmas album Silent Nightclub.
A vault edition of "The Trees" is a playable song in Rock Band 2.
The Trees
Rush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 they're right
They say the oaks are just too lofty
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
The song "The Trees" by Rush is a metaphorical commentary on the sociopolitical climate of the late 70s in North America. The lyrics describe a conflict between two types of trees: the maples and the oaks. The maples are dissatisfied with their place in the forest and want more sunlight, which they feel the oaks are denying them. The oaks, on the other hand, are unapologetic and stubborn in maintaining their position, arguing that they cannot help the way they are made. The poet then shifts perspective to comment on the broader human condition, where people in society tend to form organizations and pass laws to gain power from others. The song ends mournfully, with the singer suggesting that even these laws can only be enforced through the use of force and destruction.
The lyrics of the song allude to several themes such as power, inequality, and social conflicts. The maple trees in the song represent the oppressed class or smaller nations that fight for more equality and the oaks represent the people in power who are indifferent to the struggles of those beneath them. This is a classic struggle between the haves and the have-nots, with the maple trees forming a union to take power away from the oaks. The symbolism of the hatchet, axe, and saw at the end of the song highlights the idea that even democratic means of addressing inequality can often result in violence and destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
There is unrest in the forest
The forest is disturbed or uneasy.
There is trouble with the trees
The trees have issues.
For the maples want more sunlight
Maples need more sunlight for growth and development.
And the oaks ignore their pleas
The oaks do not consider the maples' plea for sunlight.
The trouble with the maples
Maples have issues with other tree species.
And they're quite convinced they're right
Maples are sure that their point of view is valid.
They say the oaks are just too lofty
Maples claim that oaks are too high up and self-important.
And they grab up all the light
Maples believe that oaks take all available sunlight.
But the oaks can't help their feelings
Oaks cannot control their characteristics.
If they like the way they're made
Oaks are comfortable with who they are and how they are.
And they wonder why the maples
Oaks ask themselves why the maples do not enjoy their shade.
Can't be happy in their shade?
Maples should feel satisfied with the available shade.
There is trouble in the forest
The forest has issues.
And the creatures all have fled
Animals have evacuated the area.
As the maples scream, "oppression"
Maples feel oppressed.
And the oaks just shake their heads
Oaks dismiss the maples' complaints.
So the maples formed a union
Maples joined together as a group.
And demanded equal rights
Maples wanted the same opportunities as oaks.
"The oaks are just too greedy
Maples believe that oaks have taken more resources than they need.
We will make them give us light"
Maples will force oaks to provide sunlight.
Now there's no more oak oppression
Oaks no longer oppress maples.
For they passed a noble law
A decent legislation has been enacted.
And the trees are all kept equal
All trees have the same opportunities now.
By hatchet
Axe
And saw
Trees are equally pruned or treated when necessary.
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: Geddy Lee Weinrib, Neil Elwood Peart, Alex Zivojinovich
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marc Giangrosso
Listening to Rush is kind of like reading a good book. You read at 15 , you read at 30, you read at 50 and "because" it is actually a "good" book you glean different things from it. Not because it changes, but because you do and you can see the "arc" as it may be.
SA Moore
14 years old to current 54 <3
Ferruccio Guicciardi
Awesome comment !
When the Morning Stars Sang Together
I love that you used the word glean. One of my favorites.
jomay
This!!!!
TheOriginal Lee
Marc Giangrosso Beautifully said. And btw, through the years I kepr hearing how females weren't into Rush - for the record, this 52 year old grandmother still listens like she did when young. Purely magical what they created. I will listen and reread the book forever...
David Overstreet
One of my all time favorite Rush songs. Never get tired of watching Neil on the drums.
Edward Louis BernayS
The Drummer in The Trees was Booted Off Rush after this Albumn and replaced bu another guy who also Died Later. Rush sholdeoven't Fired These Young Drummer.
MKUltramatica Digi-Analogica
It’s really cool to hear what other Rush fans have to say about this time and the gift inside the music .
Far away from the torture of today’s music .
Brett Sommer
Just saw that Neil passed and sitting here crying and singing along. RIP to unquestionably one of the best Rock drummers ever; but to me, one of the most interesting, intelligent and creative lyricists ever.