The (Disappearing) Ash Grove
Nigel Parsons (first verse: trad)

The Ash Grove, how graceful, how plainly 'tis speaking,
The wind through it playing has language for me.
When over its branches the sunlight is breaking
A host of kind faces is gazing on me.
The friends of my childhood again are before me,
Fond memories waken as freely I roam.
With soft whispers laden its leaves rustle o'er me,
The Ash Grove, the Ash Grove that sheltered my home.

This wonderful tree gives us wood for our Maypole
Around which our dancers & ribbons are twirled.
Its Yule log reminds us of mighty Yggdrasil
Once known in Norse myth as the 'Tree of the World'.
Its wood gives us things to enjoy at our leisure,
Its branches give shelter on brightly lit morn.
Tennis racket and pool cue to use for our pleasure.
A Muse too to Kipling, for 'Oak Ash & Thorn'.

The Ash Grove seems colder, the woodland is thinning,
The cold wind is blowing dead leaves from each tree.
The battle with 'Dieback', DEFRA* is not winning.
It seems now an end to The Ash Grove we'll see.
It seems that with imports of Ash trees from Denmark
Chalara Fraxinia has entered our realm.
So our ancient Ash trees with smooth honey-hued bark
May soon all be going the way of the Elm.



*DEFRA= Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
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