Your winter covering of snow, Will dazzle with its splendor; Your summer's garb, with richest glow, Will feast of beauty render.
In your cool shade will tired feet Pause, weary, when 'tis summer, And rest like this will be most sweet To every tired new-comer.
When wake the violets, winter dies; When sprout the elm buds, Spring is near; When lilacs blossom, Summer cries, Bud, little rose! Spring is here.
When we plant a tree, we are doing what we can to make our planet a more wholesome and happier dwelling-place for those who come after us, if not for ourselves.
"It is no exaggerated praise to call a tree the grandest and most beautiful of all the productions of the earth."
"Kind hearts are the gardens, Kind thoughts are the roots, Kind words are the blossoms, Kind deeds are the fruits."
What do we plant when we plant the tree? We plant the ship which will cross the sea. We plant the mast to carry the sails; We plant the planks to withstand the gales-- The keel, the keelson, and beam and knee; We plant the ship when we plant the tree.
What do we plant when we plant the tree? We plant the houses for you and me. We plant the rafters, the shingles, the floors, We plant the studding, the lath, the doors, The beams and siding, all parts that be; We plant the house when we plant the tree.
What do we plant when we plant the tree? A thousand things that we daily see; We plant the spire that out-towers the crag, We plant the staff for our country's flag, We plant the shade, from the hot sun free; We plant all these when we plant the tree.
1. Long this little stem has grown In a quiet spot, unknown: Now we plant it here, to be Ever honored as our tree.
2. May the kind earth give it food, And warm sunlight o'er it brood, Shower make bright, and storm make hard, And no harm its growth retard.
3. May it give to men delight, Rich in shade, and fair to sight; And while untold years roll by, Speak of us to memory.
4. Little tree, our own! we pray, Be our teacher every day; On us strength and grace impress, That we, too, the world may bless.
Flag of the heroes who left us their glory, Borne through our battle-fields' thunder and flame, Blazoned in song and illumined in story, Wave o'er us all who inherit their fame!