Traditional, this version; B. Patterson, 1991

Bushy, oak, leafy oak, you tower above all trees,
Oh hazel little branching one, bearer of sweet nuts:

You are not cruel oh alder, delightfully you gleam,
You neither rend nor prickle in your gap by the the pool:

These…

Oh blackthorn, little thorny one, dark provider of sloes,
& willow woman, willow woman by the stream where the blackbirds drink:

These…

Apple tree, true to your kind you are much shaken by men,
& rowan scarlet berried one, beautiful is your blossom:

These…

Oh tingly, tangly hawthorn, you never play me fair,
Ever again you cut me & make me bleed:

These…

Yew tree, true to your kind, in church yards you are found,
& ivy creeping quietly, you love the darkest places:

These…

Oh holly, tree of shelter; my wall against the wind,
& ash, ever baleful; haft for the warrior’s spear:

These…

Birch, smooth & blessed, melodious & proud,
Delightful every tangled braid that hangs from your crown:

These are the trees, these are the trees
These are the trees of the good green wood,
These are the trees, these are the trees
These are the trees of the good green wood!

Barry says: I wrote the chorus, improvised the tune & made some changes to the song so that it would be easier to understand. You can find other versions on the net if you Google "Suibhne".