The Sacred Tree

One Autumn night in bed I was lying,
Just eighteen years ago,
I heard a dear little baby crying,
While loudly Ned did snore.

And the baby’s crying seemed to be
Somewhere near that sacred tree.

I called to Ned and said, “Wake up,
A baby is crying outside the door.”
But Ned said, “You have dreamed enough,”
And went to sleep once more;

Yes the baby’s crying seemed to be
Somewhere near that sacred tree.

It was twelve o’clock, or just before,
When the rain fell hard and fast,
The baby’s cries I heard no more,
It had gone to sleep at last.

And very quiet it seemed to be,
Somewhere near that sacred tree.

Ten o’clock next morning,
The hot sun was shining,
And the darling little baby
I really had forgotten;

But I could hear the humming bee,
Somewhere near that sacred tree.

I was busy in the cabin,
When to my surprise,
I plainly heard a noise,
I was the baby’s cries.

And as I listened, it seemed to be,
Somewhere near that sacred tree.

I came out in the yard to see,
And find out where the child could be,
And there, in rags, the baby laid,
Sheltered by that tree’s cool shade.

I found it where I thought ‘twould be,
There beside that sacred tree.

I took the child into out home,
And now the darling girl is grown,
All I’ve said to you is true,
The child I’ve told you of is you.

Take not a leaf, but leave them be
On that dear old sacred tree.

The rain or the burning sun, you see,
Would have sent you to your grave,
But the sheltering leaves of that old tree,
Your precious life did save.

So now with me you must agree,
Not to harm that sacred tree.