They Fell Upon Its Grave

by Rachel Dunkerque AKA Carolyn V. Crawford (lyric and melody) There was a tree, 'longside a road It stood alone, bore well its load And it never sought attention from the road as it passed by The tree was stout, a strong live oak Stood sturdy 'neath, a thick green coat Till its leaves began to tumble as they fell upon its grave. A many day, in years gone by The tree was oft to wear a smile And was glad to offer comfort to the road as it passed by Until the road, stretched wide and long Brought to the tree, much that was harm And its leaves just kept on tumbling as they fell upon its grave. The tree grew limp, as days passed by Its strength was spent, gone was its smile But the road just kept exacting more harm than the tree could bear The road stretched on, day into night Wearied the tree from trunk to bow And its leaves just kept on tumbling as they fell upon its grave. The BIRD OF LIGHT, lit on the tree With one caress, relieved its grief And renewed its strength and courage, to stand 'side the road again It sang a song of peace serene Of days to come, of leaves so green That the tree would not yet slumber where the leaves fell on its grave. And now the tree, with life renewed Looks to the LIGHT, with gratitude Though the road will always bring harm to the tree as it passes by The tree knows now, the BIRD OF LIGHT Will lift it up, when there is strife And its leaves no longer tumble fall no more upon its grave.