Under the spreading of the old oak tree

Your comments on my "Old Oak Tree" got me curious. I asked my colleague if she has heard of this song, and she sang with me. In New Zealand,we sing it as under the chest nut tree. Fellow blogger Ngao and I went to school in Sarawak and our teachers taught us to sing "The Old Oak tree."


I did a further search and found this interesting piece from Brunswick. The song must have originated from this story.

http://www.n-georgia.com/brunswick-lovers-oak.html

According to local legend, Native American braves and their maidens would meet under the majestic spreading limbs of this enormous oak. This 900-year-old oak has served as a meeting place for lovers since Indian times. They would meet and kiss their true love under the branches of the tree, hence earning its moniker. It is thought to date from the 12th century. The tree trunk is 13 feet in diameter, and 3 feet from the ground it branches into 10 limbs measuring 12 to 30 inches in diameter.

The region of Southern Coastal Georgia that is home to Brunswick and the Golden Isles has long been rich in trees, notably the mighty live oak tree. Many trees from this area were used in the building of famous battleships.

Self-guided Tours
Driving tour maps of Brunswick, St. Simons Island, Sea Island and Jekyll Island are available at the Golden Isles Welcome Center on I-95 off the southbound lanes between exits 42 and 38, at the area's visitor center on US 17 at the Torras Causeway to St. Simons Island and on St. Simons Island in the village area.

Of course, who could forget the Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree. My pastor used to base his sermon on that.

The photos show my sister Elizabeth and I picking chestnuts under the chest nut tree.


http://www.kididdles.com/lyrics/u005.htmlUnder the Spreading Chestnut Tree
Words and Music By: Unknown
Adapted By: Terry Kluytmans
Copyright © 1999 KIDiddles.com
Verse 1:
Under the spreading chestnut tree,
Where I knelt upon my knee,
We were as happy as could be,
Under the spreading chestnut tree.


Verse 2:
Under the spreading chestnut ____,
(Replace 'tree' with action:
Place arms close to side, bent upward
from the elbow, hands spread, with palms up)

Where I knelt upon my knee,
We were as happy as could be,
Under the spreading chestnut ____.
(Replace 'tree' with action as above)


Verse 3:
Under the spreading chest___ _____
(Replace 'nut' and 'tree' with actions:
For 'nut', pat head with hands.
For 'tree', do action as above)

Where I knelt upon my knee,
We were as happy as could be,
Under the spreading chest___ _____
(Replace 'nut' and 'tree' with actions as above.)


Verse 4:
Under the spreading ________ _____
(Replace 'chest', 'nut' and 'tree' with actions:
For 'chest', tap chest with both hands.
For 'nut' and 'tree', do actions as above.)

Where I knelt upon my knee,
We were as happy as could be,
Under the spreading ________ _____
(Replace 'chest', 'nut' and 'tree' with actions as above.)


Verse 5:
Under the _________ ________ _____
(Replace 'spreading', 'chest', 'nut' and 'tree'
with actions: For 'spreading', spread arms wide.
For 'chest', 'nut' and 'tree', do actions as above.)

Where I knelt upon my knee,
We were as happy as could be,
Under the _________ ________ _____
(Replace 'spreading', 'chest', 'nut' and 'tree'
with actions as above.)


Verse 6:
Under the _________ ________ _____
(Replace 'spreading', 'chest', 'nut' and 'tree'
with actions as above.)

Where I knelt upon my knee,
(Replace 'knee' with action: strike knee with hand)

We were as happy as could be,
Under the _________ ________ _____
(Replace 'spreading', 'chest', 'nut' and 'tree'
with actions as above.)