Once there was a giving tree
Who loved a little boy 
And everyday the boy would come to play 
Swinging from her branches 
Sleeping in her shades 
Laughing all the summer hours away 
And so they loved, and oh the tree was happy 
Oh, the tree was glad 

But soon the boy grew older 
And one day he came and said 
Can you give me some money, tree 
To buy some things I've found 
I have no money, said the tree 
Just apples, twigs and leaves 
But you can take my apples, boy 
And sell them in the town 
And so he did, and oh the tree was happy 
Oh, the tree was glad 

Soon again the boy came back 
And he said to the tree, I'm now a man 
And I must have a house that's all my own 
I can't give you a house, said the tree 
The forest is my home 
But you may cut my branches off 
And build yourself a home 
And so he did, and oh the tree was happy 
Oh, the tree was glad 

And time went by and the boy came back 
With sadness in his eyes 
My life has turned so cold, he said 
And I need sunny days 
I'm nothing buy my trunk, she said 
But you may cut it down 
And build yourself a boat and sail away 
And so he did, and oh the tree was happy 
Oh, the tree was glad 

And after years, the boy came back 
From both ends of the world 
I really cannot help you 
If you ask another gift 
I'm nothing but an old stump now 
I'm sorry, boy, she said 
I'm sorry, but I've nothing more to give 
I don't need very much now 
Just a quiet place to rest 
The boy, he whispered with a weary smile 
Well, said the tree, an old stump is still as good for that 
Come, boy, she said, sit down 
Sit down and rest awhile 
And so he did, and oh the tree was happy 
Oh, the tree was glad[/align]