Environmental Songbook

(Every Arbor Day) Plant a Tree

Music and lyrics by Marla Lewis

©2014 Marla Lewis

Here's a song about the origin of Arbor Day. Did you know that Nebraska once had no trees?

Lyrics

‘Bout three hundred years ago Nebraska had no trees
Then came a man named J. Sterling Morton
He published daily articles on natures’ scenery
And why planting trees is so important
He wrote, “Trees give us oxygen, trees give us shade
Trees protect the soil from erosion
Trees give us wood and fruit, trees are beautiful
Our planet thrives wherever trees are growin!”


Show the Earth how much you love her, plant a tree
From a seed or a sapling, plant a tree
For your children’s children’s children to see
Every Arbor Day, plant a tree


All Nebraskans young and old responded to his call
On Arbor Day’s first yearly celebration
A million trees were planted ‘mid the cheers of one and all
Now Arbor Day’s observed across our nation
‘Cause “Trees give us oxygen, trees give us shade
Trees protect the soil from erosion
Trees give us wood and fruit, trees are beautiful
Our planet thrives wherever trees are growin!”


Show the Earth how much you love her, plant a tree
From a seed or a sapling, plant a tree
For your children’s children’s children to see
Every Arbor Day, plant a tree

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