Simple Praise of Trees | Songs for the Great Turning

By Gretchen Sleicher and David Densmore

Lyrics

Part 1 - Alto Melody

I raise my arms in the forest,
and join the simple praise of trees.

Part 2 - Tenor Harmony

I raise my arms,
and join the praise of trees

Part 3 - Soprano Harmony

In the forest, the forest,
I raise my arms in praise of trees

Part 4 - Bass Harmony

I raise my arms,
and join the praise of trees

Notes

This song is a line of a poem that David Densmore wrote to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Winter, which Susan Osborn sings exquisitely on her CD Still Life. Walking in a forest on Cortes Island, B.C., the harmonies came through in gratitude for the some of the few old growth trees remaining on the island, and the islanders organizing to protect them from logging.

Try getting a group together to sing this, arms raised, while walking through a forest. How blessed we are as humans to be able to join the trees in their simple praise of life!

Music: Vivaldi, harmonies by Gretchen Sleicher

Lyrics: by David Densmore, used with permission.

Full Mix and Song Parts