https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg11-week-18-when-i-was-a-tree/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:55:54 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg11-week-18-when-i-was-a-tree/#post-381458 Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:35:07 +0000 Sunday Songwriters Group John Sargent https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg11-week-18-when-i-was-a-tree/#post-381458 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg11-week-18-when-i-was-a-tree/#post-381457 Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:37:17 +0000
Looks like a good start :D Having few lyrics will help fit many genres so go ahead and strum out some chords :wink:

BTW
I wrote a similar song using personification for the tree singing to a person
Y9W20 I Am Your Big Tree
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10407553

Thanks for sharing.

James]]> Sunday Songwriters Group jamestoffee https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg11-week-18-when-i-was-a-tree/#post-381457 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg11-week-18-when-i-was-a-tree/#post-381454 Wed, 06 Mar 2013 05:43:58 +0000
As a suggestion, the structure of verses and chorus are very similar. They have the same number of lines and a similar syllable rhythm. Have you thought about adding to the chorus? If you left it the same you could vary the chords and melody in the chorus to distinguish it from the verse. Just my two cents worth.

I look forward to the chord strumming :D]]> Sunday Songwriters Group andygetch https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg11-week-18-when-i-was-a-tree/#post-381454 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg11-week-18-when-i-was-a-tree/#post-381450 Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:50:16 +0000
Good stuff here. My take on your song is that the tree is a metaphor for the nature of the relationship that the narrator is having with someone else in this case it’s a one on one which of course changes in time as it must. One interpretation could see this being a couple that eventually have children in which case the one on one ceases and a one to others replaces it (he has no regrets). Of course that just the way I interpret it and that’s the beauty of metaphor as it lets the listener create their own world.
My only question would be the word “thee”. I’m assuming that English is not your first language (correct me if I’m wrong) but “thee” is a very old style word and I’m not sure is the best word to use in a modern song.

Keep up the good work

Paul]]> Sunday Songwriters Group pbee https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg11-week-18-when-i-was-a-tree/#post-381450 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg11-week-18-when-i-was-a-tree/#post-381442 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:22:45 +0000 Chorus:

What a life I had,
Endless and calm
I could simply forget
The last day will come Generaly you keep the tree as something that simply provides . . . . . and suddenly in the chorus, the tree is taking on the human quality of thinking . . . . . not sure that fits.

Too
The last day had come
And I had no regrets
These days, being human
I keep doing my best Not sure about the transition from a tree to a human. Wonder if you might consider this coming from a seedling . . . . . . continuing the line of the tree?

Just some thoughts.

Nice to have you part of the group.

Neil]]> Sunday Songwriters Group chefie https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg11-week-18-when-i-was-a-tree/#post-381442 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg11-week-18-when-i-was-a-tree/#post-44004 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:38:16 +0000
Verse 1:

Some time in the past
I was a tree
I new that I must
Cast a shadow for thee

If you were a stranger,
I gave you some rest
You asked for a shelter
I did all my best

Chorus:

What a life I had,
Endless and calm
I could simply forget
The last day will come

Verse 2:

If you were a bird,
I was your home
You were singing all day,
I listened alone

If you were a cloud
You fed me with rain
And I was, no doubt,
Much happier then

Chorus

Verse 3:

But you came with an axe
You said you need me
To build a new house
For others like thee

The last day had come
And I had no regrets
These days, being human
I keep doing my best]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Kopfschmerzen https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg11-week-18-when-i-was-a-tree/#post-44004