Holly Tree
Words and music by Dar Williams
From Promised Land
Transcription
by: Ron
Greitzer
Date: September 2008
(Am)When the robin builds in the (F)holly tree
It's a (Am)sign of life, its gentle (F)victory
Well to(C)day as I set to (Dm)go
I saw a (C)nest in a tree hollow(F)
Oh (Am)Emily, you're a (F)brave girl
With your (Am)husband gone to the (F)other world
Sing a (C)hymn while I light the (Dm)fire
We'll be (C)joined by a heavenly (F)choir
Here's the (F)tansy and the chamomile (Dm)tea for you to drink
(F)As the pain increases, you (Dm)only have to think
About a (Em)baby
We'll save the baby
I placed a (Am)holly sprig by the (F)doctor's door
He has (Am)done this well and many (F)times before
He'll be (C)careful which way he (Dm)goes
But he's been (C)kind to us farm widows(F)
And (Am)this I heard just the (F)other day
That they (Am)came to buy, and you (F)chose to stay
Soon a (C)child will help you reap and (Dm)sow
May (C)he cast a long shadow(F)
But you (F)say the trials are coming
You have (Dm)felt the gathering forces
And the (F)galloping you hear is of (Dm)one too many horses
But (F)rest your head my darling girl
There (Dm)won't be any danger
(F)Any Christian ever loved an (Dm)infant in a manger
Saves the (Em)baby
They'll save the baby
(Am)(F)(Am)(F)(C)(Dm)(C)(Dm)(Am)
Now the (Am)pastor comes, shakes the (F)farmer's hand
Says the (Am)earth will bear like the (F)Promised Land
You have (C)heard the stories down be(Dm)low
But God will (C)bless this farm hollow(F)
(Dm)(Am)(C)
Now the (F)farmer's wife shudders
Pulls the (Dm)shawl up to her shoulder
(F)Every time she nears the hearth she (Dm)feels a little
colder
Where's the (Em)baby?
There was a baby(E)
(Am)(F)(Am)(F)(C)(Dm)(C)(Dm)(Am)
This file
is the author's own work
and represents their interpretation of the song. You may only use this
file for
private study, scholarship, or research.
Words and music copyright © 2008-
Burning Field Music
(administered by Bug Music).
Last updated September 21, 2008
darwilliams.net was created and is maintained by Gail
J. Cohen