Lyr Add: The (disappearing) Ash Grove

Subject: Lyr Add: The (disappearing) Ash Grove
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 10:38 AM

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.
BBC news for this subject

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The (disappearing) Ash Grove
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 01:48 PM

Nice one Nigel....and so quick.
Al

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The (disappearing) Ash Grove
From: Leadfingers
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 06:21 PM

Indeed Yes !!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The (disappearing) Ash Grove
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 31 Oct 12 - 11:20 AM

Thanks 'boys'

Nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The (disappearing) Ash Grove
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 12 - 06:00 PM

First performance (by me at least) at the Cardiff 2nd Tuesday Folk Club.

Went down fairly well.

I've sung it publicly now, so if anyone wants to do it (apart from comercially) please treat as 'public domain'

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The (disappearing) Ash Grove
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 08:34 AM

Sorry, 'Guest' above was me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The (disappearing) Ash Grove
From: GUEST,Seonaid
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 12:45 PM

Wow -- this hit home. Extrapolates to so many things.
Thanks.