The Soldier And The Oak

Intro: C Em This is a story that began long, long ago Am F I was a young oak tree in dark Missouri soil C And like all other saplings I had dreams of growing G Strong and tall C Em But one day a rebel with a bullet in his chest Am F Hung his rifle on my limbs and laid to rest C And there beside me as the blood soaked to my roots G The soldier sang A song of grace Am C F C C Em The heavy rifle bowed me over to the ground Am F Two years I stayed this way until the rifle fell C And in this manner for a hundred years I grew G All my dreams Not meant to be C Em And then one day two men came with a cross cut saw Am F They spoke of how my arch would hold a weight so strong C And I feared not the blade for such a worthy cause G And so I fell I gladly fell Am C F Em Dm G Am F G Three winter days aboard a northbound train Am G Three more beneath the hewer's careful blade F G And while he worked he praised my rich red grain F G Perhaps it was the soldier's blood that day C Em Now I'm the wooden arch that holds a mighty bell Am F Three stocks before me cracked but I shall never fail C Up in a tall cathedral high above my dreams G Of long ago C Em And on Sunday mornings when I hear that sweet refrain Am F I see the soldier's face like it was yesterday C G Calling angels down from heaven with that hymn he softly sang Of God's good grace Outro: Am C F Em Dm G Am C F Em Dm G C