where reigns the oak a mighty king
the beech is surely England’s queen
beneath her lush green canopy
that hides me from a cloudless sky
i watch as from the river bank
the cruisers with their ease of grace
so gently smoothly sail on by
oh Fagus god of this fine tree
today in overbearing heat
i thank you for the use of shade
i thank you for the softest breeze
and from the inner core of me
i curtsey to this queen of queens
for growing in this welcome glade