Beside Still Waters Ministries

I learned about this song through a very dear friend in college when our choir did some other carols from a great songbook called 100 Carols For Choirs. He knew it previously, and when we formed an octet in memory of our friend who passed away during one summer from an asthma attack, we sang this song together. It can't be sung as a solo, or at least I could never feel right about doing it that way, so when I was trying to figure out how to put it on this CD I found this french horn ensemble sample on my keyboard and fell in love with the sound. I put with it another sample of flutes and strings, and I really like how it came together, though our octet singing together again would've been the best. I miss them so much, and I miss the music we made together. To be honest, though, I don't really get why it is considered a Christmas Carol, because the message of this song I think could be for any time of year. I must be dense or something.

Tune by Elizabeth Poston,arr. by David Willcocks
words From Divine Hymns or Spiritual Songs,
compiled by Joshua Smith, New Hampshire, 1784

1. The tree of life my soul hath seen,
Laden with fruit and always green: (repeat) 
The trees of nature fruitless be 
Compared with Christ the apple tree.

2. His beauty doth all things excel: 
By faith I know, but ne'er can tell (repeat)
The glory which I now can see 
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

3. For happiness I long have sought, 
And pleasure dearly I have bought: (repeat) 
I missed of all; but now I see 
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

4. I'm weary with my former toil, 
Here I will sit and rest awhile: (repeat) 
Under the shadow I will be, 
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

5. This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, 
It keeps my dying faith alive; (repeat)
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.