Lyr Req: Big Tree (Ralph McTell)

Subject: Big Tree by Ralph McTell
From: Den
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 02:42 PM

Anyone know the words to this song. I used to have them but I'm missing two lines and at least one verse. Its a cute song and I've enjoyed playing it. From memory...

When I was a little kid not very old
Me and Susie at the top of the road
used to run in the garden free
playing games behind the big tree

One afternoon whilst we played
we were left in the big tree's shade
I showed her she showed me
lots of fun behind the big tree

(chorus)
Big tree what do you know
Come and lay your branches low
Big tree knows everything
Look at him tremble in the wind

(I need the next two lines and then it goes)
I showed her she showed me
But we got caught behind the big tree

It was a neighbour who complained
She told us both to be ashamed
I got cuffed Susie cried
But we couldn't have done nothing if we tried

(Chorus)

I think there may be one more verse. If anyone can fill in the blanks for me I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

Subject: RE: Big Tree by Ralph McTell
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 02:59 PM

This is the best I could reconstruct from the wonderful 1978 Ralph McTell Live album - one of the best solo live albums I've ever heard. Of course the line you were missing was part of the "crime" itself - though it's possible he's singing "toes," it sure sounds like "tongues" to me.

When I was a little kid not very old
Me and Susie at the top of the road
used to run in the garden free
playing games around a big tree

One afternoon whilst we played
we was led to the big tree's shade
I showed her she showed me
lots of fun behind the big tree

Big tree what do you know
Why do you spread your branches low?
Big tree knows everything
Look at him tremble in the wind

Soft grass and a leafy bed
We touched tongues and giggled instead
I showed her she showed me
But we got caught behind the big tree

It was a neighbor who complained
She told us both to be ashamed
I got cuffed Susie cried
But we couldn't have done nothing if we tried

Big tree, why do you sigh
come on and raise your branches high
Big tree, was I friend?
But the big tree knew how it would end

Ain't it a crime or is it a sin?
We was barred from the garden and we couldn't get in.
Me and Susie had nothing to hide
But I guess we'll make it in the world outside.

Big tree what do you know
Come and spread your branches low
Big tree knows everything
Look at him tremble in the wind.

Hope this helps!

Warmly,
Dan Schatz

Subject: RE: Big Tree by Ralph McTell
From: Den
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 03:30 PM

Dan, brilliant. Thanks so much.

Subject: RE: Big Tree by Ralph McTell
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 08:41 PM

No problem!

Dan

Subject: Lyr Add: BIG TREE (Ralph McTell)
From: GUEST,Marianne James
Date: 23 Aug 06 - 07:41 AM

These are the full lyrics. Hope it helps.

Big Tree   

by Ralph McTell

When I was a little kid not very old
Me and Susie at the top of the road
Used to run in the garden free
Playing games around a big tree.

One afternoon whilst we played
We was led to the big tree's shade
I showed her, she showed me
Lots of fun behind the big tree.

Big tree, what do you know?
Why do you spread your branches low?
Big tree, knows everything
Look at him tremble in the wind.

Soft grass and a leafy bed
We touched tongues and giggled instead
I showed her, she showed me
But we got caught behind the big tree.

Win was a neighbour who complained
She told us both to be ashamed
I got cuffed, Susie cried
But we couldn't have done nothing if we tried.

Big tree, why do you sigh?
Come on and raise your branches high
Big tree was our friend
But the big tree knew how it would end.

Ain't it a crime, or is it a sin?
We was barred from the garden, and we couldn't get in
Me and Susie had nothing to hide
But I guess we'll make it in the world outside.

Big tree, what do you know?
Come on and spread your branches low.
Big tree knows everything
Look at him tremble in the wind.