And here are the words transcribed from Laurie Lewis (above).

THE MAPLE'S LAMENT
(Laurie Lewis)

When I was alive, the birds would nest upon my boughs
And all through long winter nights the storms would 'round me howl
And when the day would come, I'd raise my branches to the sun
I was a child of earth and sky and all the world was one.

But now that I am dead, the birds no longer sing in me,
And I feel no more the wind and rain as when I was a tree,
But bound so tight in wire strings, I have no room to grow,
And I am but the slave who sings when master draws the bow.

But sometimes from my mem'ries I can sing the birds in flight
And I can sing of sweet dark earth and endless starry nights
But oh, my favorite song of all, I truly do believe
Is the song the sunlight sang to me while dancing on my leaves.


Cheers, S. in Seattle