Oak, Ash & Thorn Words by Rudyard Kipling © 1978, music by Leslie FishOf all the trees that grow so fair, Old England to adorn, Greater are none beneath the sun Than oak, and ash, and thorn. Sing oak, and ash, and thorn, good sirs, All of a midsummer’s morn! Surely we sing of no little thing, In oak, and ash, and thorn! Oak of the clay lived many a day Ere ever Aeneas began. Ash of the loam was a lady at home When Brut was an outlaw man. Thorn of the down saw New Troy town (From which was London born); Witness hereby the ancientry Of oak, and ash, and thorn! Yew that is old in the churchyard-mould, He breedeth a mighty bow. Alder for shoes do wise men choose, And beech for cups also. But when you’ve killed, and your bowl is spilled, And your shoes are clean outworn, Back ye must speed for all that ye need To oak, and ash, and thorn! Elm she hates mankind, and waits Till every gust be laid To drop a limb on the head of him That anyway trusts her shade. But whether a lad be sober or sad, Or mellow with ale from the horn, He’ll take no wrong when he lies along ’Neath oak, and ash, and thorn! Oh, do not tell the priest our plight, Or he would call it a sin; But – we’ve been out in the woods all night, Conjuring summer in! And we bring good news by word of mouth – Good news for cattle and corn – Now is the sun come up from the south With oak, and ash, and thorn! Sing oak, and ash, and thorn, good sirs All of a midsummer’s morn! England shall bide till judgment tide With oak, and ash, and thorn!