[OAK] The river froze before its time. I felt the children’s steps. [PINE] They crossed the border path again, where even daylight wept. [BIRCH] Their lanterns flickered low and thin, their voices traveled wide. [ELM] The wolves kept watch but held their ground. They waited for our sign. [ALL TREES] (Chorus) Root to root, we stand and bear. What falls away, we keep and care. All that’s left becomes our call many voices, one for all. [WILLOW] One child cried beneath my boughs. No hand came through the dark. [SPRUCE] The preacher called, but far too late. His voice did not leave mark. [CEDAR] Their coats were cold, their names half-spoken, drifting in the air. [OAK] A child unclaimed is forest-bound. We keep what no one bears. [ALL TREES] (Chorus) Root to root, we stand and bear. What falls away, we keep and care. All that’s left becomes our call many voices, one for all. [PINE] Shall we guard them? [BIRCH] Shall we keep them? [ELM] Shall they join the winter choir? [OAK] If the world will not remember we will keep them in our fire. [ALL TREES] (Council Decision) Let the wolves begin their circle. Let the branches close the way. Let the children join the sapstream. Let their voices never stray. [CHILDREN’S CHOIR] We are held, we are warm. Though the world thinks we’re gone. In the bark, in the rings We remain. We belong. [ALL TREES] (Final Chorus) Root to root, we stand and bear. What falls away, we keep and care. All that’s left becomes our call many voices, one for all.
