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