This is a post from Jean Ritchie, and I want to make sure it doesn't get lost.

Thread #50412   Message #765538
Posted By: kytrad
14-Aug-02 - 08:41 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: today's the day we give babies away
Subject: Lyr Add: THE BABY TREE (Rosalie Sorrells)

Rosalie Sorrells wrote the song, "THE BABY TREE," and our company, Geordie Music Publishing Co., published it for her in 1970. A few years later, she formed her own publishing company and we assigned her songs to her (I believe her company is Grimes Music). I don't think she'd mind my setting down the words here- it's a charming song!

There's an island way out in the sea
Where the babies they all grow on trees,
And it's jolly good fun to swing in the sun
But you gotta watch out if you sneeze, sneeze,
You gotta watch out if you sneeze.

Yes you gotta watch out if you sneeze,
For swingin' up there in the trees
You're liable to cough-you might very well fall off
And tumble down flop on your knees, knees,
Tumble down flop on your knees.

(Occasional chorus-different tune)
O this is the day they give babies away
With a half a cup of tea-
If you know any ladies who want any babies
Just send 'em around to me...

Then when the stormy winds wail
And the breezes blow high in a gale,
There's a curious dropping and flopping and plopping
And fat little babies just hail, hail,
Fat little babies just hail!

And the babies lie there in a pile
And the grown-ups come after awhile,
And they always pass by all the babies that cry
And take only babies that smile, smile,
They take only babies that smile.
Even triplets and twins if they'll smile!
(Words & music by Rosale Sorrells Grimes Music)

I guess you'll have to find the tune on one of Rosalie's albums- it was on one of her early ones. Hope this clears up some wonder-ings for you! Jean