top of page

Oak and Ash and Thorn

Trad

Slashes provide opportunities for gender swap

LYRICS

CHORUS

Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs/dear girls
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn


VERSE 1

Of all the trees that grow so fair, old England to adorn
Greater are none beneath the sun than Oak, and Ash, and Thorn


CHORUS


VERSE 2

Yew that is old, in churchyard mould, he breedeth a mighty bow
Alder for shoes do wise men choose, and Beech for cups also
But when you have killed
And your bowl it is filled, and your shoes are clean outworn
Back you must speed for all that you need to Oak, and Ash, and Thorn


CHORUS


VERSE 3

Elm, she hates mankind and waits, 'til every gust be laid
To drop a limb on the head of him that anyway trusts her shade
But whether a lad be sober or sad, or mellow with ale from the horn
He'll take no wrong when he lyeth along 'neath Oak, and Ash, and Thorn


CHORUS


VERSE 4

Oh, do not tell the priest our plight
For he would call it a sin
But we've been out in the woods all night, a-conjuring summer in
We bring you good news by word of mouth, good news for cattle and corn
Sure as the sun come up from the south, by Oak, and Ash, and Thorn


CHORUS x 2

Tags:

Trad, British, she shanty

Propose an Edit for this Shant

What type of edit/suggestion?

Suggest major corrections, new verses, help identify outdated terms, provide some lore. Please be very specific.

We acknowledge the Gadigal and Bidjigal people of the Eora nation, upon whose lands we gather and sing.
We acknowledge sovereignty was never ceded. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

  • Instagram

Numerous photos by Nick Ryden 

bottom of page