Oak & Ash & Thorn, from Cures What Ails Ya by The Longest Johns

From the new album Cures What Ails Ya

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Longest Johns

[All_is_Dust]

When the druid takes some levels in bard

[Keram]

All my ailments have been cured already, but I can't stop listening.

[Gameslayer-ruqi]

This song helped me re-find my singing voice. My voice deepened a lot and for a solid year I literally just couldn't sing without stopping halfway due to massive amounts of voice cracks and embarrassment. Then, I heard this song, and after learning the lyrics I was able to sing it and sing it well. Then, I went on to sing other shanties well and other types of songs well, learning what my deep voice was capable for singing. I can honestly say it cured what ailed me, and it remains as one of my favorite songs because of that.

[EpikWaffalz]

STRAIGHT. VIBING. TO. THIS. ON. REPEAT.

[Aloemancer]

The resonance on the harmonies on this one feel genuinely grand, especially with a good set of headphones. This one is stiff competition with Here’s a Health for my favorite on the album.

[atrooper]

is tad aggressive yet so mellow in a good way

[nolanoliver]

Of all the trees that grow so fair, old England to adorn,
Greater are none beneath the sun than Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
---
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs,
All on a midsummer's morn.
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
---
Yew that is old, in churchyard mould, he breedeth a mighty bow
Alder for shoes do wise men choose, and Beech for cups also
But when you have killed, and your bowl it is filled, and your shoes are clean outworn
Back you must speed for all that you need to Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
---
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
---
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs,
All on a midsummer's morn.
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
---
Elm, she hates mankind and waits, til every gust be laid,
To drop a limb on the head of him that anyway trusts her shade,
But whether a lad be sober or sad, or mellow with ale from the horn,
He'll take no wrong when he lyeth along 'neath Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
---
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs,
All on a midsummer's morn.
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
---
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs,
All on a midsummer's morn.
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
---
Oh, do not tell the priest our plight, for he would call it a sin,
But we've been out in the woods all night, conjuring summer in,
we bring you good news by word of mouth, good news for cattle and corn
Sure as the sun come up from the south, by Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
---
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs,
All on a midsummer's morn.
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
---
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs,
All on a midsummer's morn.
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
---
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs,
All on a midsummer's morn.
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
---
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs,
All on a midsummer's morn.
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.

(let me know if I got something wrong)

[LiorentheBard]

The way they enunciate "Ash" gives me chills every time. I'm so happy I rediscovered these guys right after this album came out. I'm going through all of them to the point where I now have a sea shanty playlist.

[randomkiddoscrewinaround]

Lyrics
Of all the trees that grow so fair, old England to adorn
Greater are none beneath the sun than Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
Yew that is old, in churchyard mold, he breedeth a mighty bow
Alder for shoes do wise men choose, and Beech for cups also
But when you have killed, and your bowl it is filled, and your shoes are clean outworn
Back you must speed for all that you need to Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
Well Elm, she hates mankind and waits, til every gust be laid
To drop a limb on the head of him that anyway trusts her shade
But whether a lad be sober or sad, or mellow with ale from the horn
He'll take no wrong when he lieth along 'neath Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
Oh, do not tell the priest our plight, for he would call it a sin
But we've been out in the woods all night, a-conjuring summer in
We bring you good news by word of mouth, good news for cattle and corn
Sure as the sun come up from the south, by Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn

[Mr_T_Badger]

I’ve been listening to U.S. politics so much lately that this is a refreshing breath of fresh air.

[Cilvathorne]

as a thorn myself i approve of this song

[SmoothOperator]

Nobody:
The Old English Version: Oak & Æ & Þ

[wintersking]

The three trees associated most with the fae. The old gods of Britain.

[TomorrowWeLive]

Kipling wrote the poem in 1906 and Peter Bellamy set it to music in 1970. Just goes to show something doesn't need to be old to be traditional or folk.

[DudettRin]

I think this might be my favorite in the whole album!

[Shamy_Cartoons]

This song would fit into the Hobbit so well. Great adventurers song. I'm using it now as inspiration for a book I'm writing taking place in England kinda like Harry Potter but Narnia esque taking place in the 1940s. Badass.

[rafaellucadetena]

Sailors were so confident that they wrote songs about trees in the middle of the sea.

[MsKnilly]

I have fallen in love with this song, it sings to something in me that motivates me to draw. Thank you for your creativity and talent, this has encouraged me to continue with my character concept for Dungeons & Dragons!

[firstname]

I’d class this a hard bop. What about you laddies?

[spider_spren]

Wow this is so good guys, I love how its seems slightly more aggressive than Bellamy's original, which is definitely not a bad thing. This is shaping up to be one of my favourite versions. :)