Lyrics
There once was a cedar tree
Reflection on the existence of a cedar tree
That watched over my family
Depiction of the cedar tree as a guardian of the speaker's family
Clothed in her majesty
Describing the majestic appearance of the cedar tree
The birds sing her praise
Attributing praise from birds to the cedar tree
She once was a little sprout
Recalling the cedar tree's humble beginnings as a sprout
A century has worn her out
Highlighting the tree's aging process over a century
I often sit and think about
Contemplating the tree's experiences throughout time
All she has seen
Reflecting on the cedar tree's witnessed events
Stand tall lonely one
Encouraging the tree to stand tall despite loneliness
We both know that life can be hard
Acknowledging the challenges of life
Stand tall lonely one
Reiterating the call for the tree to stand tall
Hold no contempt in your heart
Advising the tree not to harbor resentment
She has seen the lightning flash
Enumerating the cedar tree's encounters with adversity
Held on through the avalanche
Emphasizing the tree's resilience through challenges
She has felt the fire and axe
Noting the tree's experiences with destructive forces
Knock on her door
Symbolic reference to challenges knocking on the tree's 'door'
She holds up a mountainside
Portraying the tree as a supporter of a mountainside
A burden somehow held in stride
Highlighting the tree's ability to bear burdens with grace
I have never heard her cry
Expressing a belief in the tree's silent strength
The Lord knows she should
Suggesting that the tree should have reasons to cry
Stand tall lonely one
Encouragement for the tree to stand tall despite challenges
We both know that life can be hard
Acknowledging the hardships of life
Stand tall lonely one
Repeating the call for the tree to stand tall
Hold no contempt in your heart
Advising the tree to avoid holding resentment
She has seen us laugh and play
Noting the tree's witness to various human emotions and actions
Cry and yell and waste away
Describing the range of human experiences observed by the tree
Watched me dig more than one grave
Highlighting the tree's awareness of mortality and loss
She knows how it feels
Acknowledging the tree's understanding of emotional pain
She has seen the children grow
Observing the tree's witness to generational growth
Having children of their own
Noting the tree's observation of the cycle of life
She has seen the elders go
Acknowledging the tree's awareness of aging and departure
Back to the soil
Symbolizing the return of elders to nature
Stand tall lonely one
Encouraging the tree to stand tall in loneliness
We both know that life can be hard
Acknowledging the difficulties of life
Stand tall lonely one
Reiterating the call for the tree to stand tall
Hold no contempt in your heart
Advising the tree to hold no resentment in its heart
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