Redwood Song

Roughened, reddened fibrous shell Vibrant life still fresh and green Thickened feet and arms Embrace the stars and sky Growing higher every day Thousands, years gone by Yet still the old one reaches on Urged on by the rain and sun And life that courses up so high Some time ago a friend, in wind he fell Crashing to the ground in end Like thunder shaking all the earth around The shout went out He’s gone His roots jut up in silhouette A tombstone of regret Like a wise old sage The sentinel still stands How long? Many others died In storms and fires through the years But the old one presses on The rain dripping down a million tears So strong and tall the redwood grows New threats rang out and echoed Old fellows thundered to the earth The axe and saws of men Laid low the works of thousand years Young ones quickly took their place And began again the age old race How long will all the old ones last They must go on, they’re holding fast Ocean breeze brings soft melodies refrain Can you hear the redwood song They are singing once again