As the Tree Falls

As the tree falls, so shall it lie

As a man lives, so shall he die

As the sea heaves, full fathom five

We'll tumbling along, as she pitches and dives

A storm is abound, over the sound

You have to hold fast as long's you're alive

The seaboard a-sound, with the wind howling 'round

As all things that stand, come a-tumbling a-ground

You returned from the sea, to the great rowan tree

We would live of the land, the land, you and me

For the tree and our love, deeply rooted they stand

I said the sea is a thief with a cold, grasping hand

Despite what we gained, as the wild winds blew

I wavered, unveiled what I knew to be true

Not by choice, but by need, I signed with a crew

A-six months at sea, our dreams to renew

O, my love, don't you weep

Thou the gale will sweep

Not a thing we can keep

It's all bound for the deep

Now the rigs coming down

Ship downwind to beat

The wind claws at the trees

I go down with the fleet

Hear the din all around, above where we're bound

As the old rowan cracks and falls to the ground

Yet all things must fall, we're bound to the call

The bell down below, it summons us all

O, my love, don't you weep

Thou the gale will sweep

Not a thing we can keep

It's all bound for the deep

Now the rigs coming down

Ship downwind to beat

The wind claws at the trees

I go down with the fleet

And down by the grove, no trees standing tall

No one to cleave, nor save a stack for the fall

From down below, here this, my call

I'm telling you this, and this shall be all

As the tree falls, so shall it lie

As a man lives, so shall he die