I LOVE the leaf of the old oak-tree,
I love the gum of the spruce,
I love the bark of the hickory,
And I love the maple’ s juice.
On the walnut’ s grain I fondly dote,
On the cherry’ s fruit I’ d dine,
And I love to lie in a narrow boat,
And scent the odor of pine.
Ah, me! how I wish some power grand
Would invent some single tree
With all these points well developed, and
Would send that tree to me!
I’ d plant it deep in the jardinière
That stands in this flat of mine;
I’ d give it the sweetest, tenderest care,
And water its roots with wine.