The Thorn Tree

Joseph of Arimathea

When he took the Holy Grail,

He took as well the crown of thorns

And to England he set sail.

The crown of thorns was planted

And a mighty thorn tree grew,

At Christmas time and Easter too

Twice a year it bloomed.

Pilgrims for a thousand years

Journeyed to the tree,

And prayed beneath its branches

And sang beneath its leaves.

Then came a wayward people

Who looked on jealously.

And asking God to guide their axe,

They cut down the holy tree.

And in their persecution

They gathered wood and nails,

They shaped a hull and built some decks

Underneath some canvas sails.

And in their persecution

To America they sailed,

They handed me a microphone

And I offer you this tale.