Once there was a giving tree Who loved a little boy And everyday the boy would come to play Swinging from her branches Sleeping in her shades Laughing all the summer hours away And so they loved, and 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 some things 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
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 own I can't give you a house, said the tree The forest is my home But you may cut my branches off And build yourself a home And so he did, and 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 said And I need sunny days I'm nothing buy my trunk, she said But you may 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 From both ends of the world I really cannot help you If you ask another gift I'm nothing but an old stump now I'm sorry, boy, she said I'm sorry, but I've nothing more to give I don't 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 as good for that Come, boy, she said, sit down Sit down and rest awhile And so he did, and oh the tree was happy Oh, the tree was glad