Birch and Peach and Pine
To the tune of Oak and Ash and Thorn
Lyrics by Brenda Sutton
© 1991

Of all the trees that grow so fair
Old Dixie to design,
Greater are none 'neath Southern sun
Than birch and peach and pine.
Sing birch and peach and pine, good friends,
Dusting at pollen time.
Power here grows to itch eyes and nose
With birch and peach and pine.

Grandfather Birch protects the church
That capers below his boughs.
Georgia Peach grows, as anyone knows,
Wherever the pit allows.
Evergreen pine points straight and fine
To moon and stars on high.
Witness the call of mountain thrall
'Neath birch and peach and pine.

Chorus:
Sing birch and peach and pine, good friends,
Dusting at pollen time.
Power here grows to itch eyes and nose
With birch and peach and pine.

Spotted with blood, the white dogwood's
Pure blossoms bloom and fall.
Willows that weep in mossy sleep
Grant wishes to one and all.
Hazel and oak drop 'corns on folk
Who pay them no nevermind.
They'll fall like hail on the ferny trail
Of birch and peach and pine.

Chorus

Swift and strong as a siren's song,
The kudzu races the ground
To flood the trees like viney seas
In green, parasitic mounds.
A foot a day has been known to play
In Herculean twine,
Psychotically spurred to cover the world
Of birch and peach and pine.

Chorus

Oh, do not tell the Brits of our trees,
For theirs are not to be found.
The city's creep and the wooly sheep
Cover every square inch of ground.
So mind your lot, get an allergy shot,
And count your blessings so fine.
If we're good, we'll still have wood
Of birch and peach and pine

Chorus Twice