The Old Oak

**Verse 1** Before your grandfather first drew breath I was reaching for the sky A little acorn in the morning sun Where meadow met July A blackbird built upon my limbs A fox slept by my roots And every spring I stretched a little more In my weathered boots **Verse 2** One summer came a laughing pair With dreams too young to hide They carved two names inside my bark A heart between the sides They promised they would never part Beneath my growing shade And every year they came again To watch the seasons fade **Chorus** I'm only an old oak standing still Watching time roll by I've counted tears and wedding bells Beneath an endless sky Leaves may fall with every autumn wind Yet hope begins anew For every hand that sheltered here Left something good to bloom **Verse 3** I watched the boys become young men Then march beyond the hill Some returned with silver hair Some wander onward still The little girl who climbed my limbs Brought children of her own And every laugh I heard beneath my leaves Made this old place a home **Verse 4** Storms have tried to break my crown Lightning split my side Yet strangers found a resting place Whenever rain arrived A weary traveler shared his bread With one who had none too Neither knew the kindness given there Would echo life anew **Bridge** Years are rings beneath my bark Stories in the grain Every joy and every loss Has helped this heart remain If I have learned one simple truth From all these passing years Love grows quiet, strong, and deep When rooted without fear **Final Chorus** I'm only an old oak standing still Watching time roll by I've seen a thousand sunsets paint Their colors through the sky When my branches someday touch the earth Don't think my tale is through An acorn waits beside my roots To reach the morning too **Outro** So if you pass an old oak tree Don't hurry on your way Sit awhile beneath its faithful shade And listen... if you stay For every forest starts with one Who simply chose to grow And every life can leave this world A little better than it knows.