"That ancient tree, don’t let it fall"

By Hans Christian Andersen

That ancient tree, don’t let it fall

Until old age is knelling;

So many things it can recall,

What tales it could be telling.

We once did see its blossom-haul

Each branch with fruit was swelling.

That ancient tree, don’t let it fall,

You must not think of felling!

Now to be journeying I yearn

But yet the truth in part is

One does but travel to return,

For home is where one’s heart is.

When this old tree stands blossom-tall,

I’m nearly home it’s telling;

That ancient tree, don’t let it fall,

You must not think of felling!