Oh Fir Tree

Oh sad fir tree, oh sad fir tree,
How loyal thy dull needles!
They cling to thee the summer through,
In winter, spring and autumn too.
Oh sad fir tree, oh sad fir tree,
How loyal thy dull needles!

Oh lovers true, oh lovers true,
How brave are all thy whispered vows!
They breathe of passion eternal
Midst all things else ephemeral.
Oh lovers true, oh lovers true,
How brave are all thy whispered vows!

The nightingale, the nightingale,
Sings darkly to us his brief song,
That passion flares and passion dies,
Sears like a flame then dreamward flies.
Oh lovers true, oh lovers true,
How brave are all thy whispered vows!

The mountain stream, the mountain stream,
Is passion’s cool clear opposite.
He never changes, never fails,
Just dances lonely through the dales.
Oh lovers true, oh lovers true,
How brave are all thy whispered vows!

Oh sad fir tree, oh sad fir tree,
How loyal thy dull needles!
They cling to thee the summer through,
In winter, spring and autumn too.
Oh sad fir tree, oh sad fir tree,
How loyal thy dull needles!

RAE, 14 June 1975