tagabungtod

I must have been in Grade 1 or Grade 2 when we were taught to sing the song “TREES” which was actually a poem written by Joyce Kilmer. As very young children are wont to do, we memorized the first few lines, mumbled through the middle lines and again memorized the last two lines. That was about all I could remember about that song or poem.

A few days ago I was searching the YouTube. I was looking for songs sang by American-Canadian actor/singer Robert Goulet who died in October 2007 at age 73. He was the one who immortalized with his beautiful baritone voice movie and broadway songs like If Ever I Would Leave You, On The Street Where You Live, Impossible Dream, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, My Love Forgive Me, This Is All I Ask, and many more.

To my astonishment and delight, I saw a very old and very rare video clip of a very young Robert Goulet singing Joyce Kilmer's 'TREES”! Yes, the same song taught to us more than half a century ago by our gradeschool teachers! I never ever thought there was a recording of such a song. What makes it more special is that it was sang by Robert Goulet! And here he sang it so beautifully. I would like to share this with all my fellow tagabungtod, classmates, and friends. Play the video clip, watch and listen, sing along, reminisce and enjoy.

TREES

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a Tree.

A Tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A Tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A Tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a Tree.