Chords for The Soldier and the Oak by Elliott Park - lyrics

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This is a story that [Em] began long, long ago. _
[Am] I was a young oak tree [F] in dark Missouri soil. _
And like all other [C] saplings, I had dreams of growing strong [G] and tall.
_ _ _ _ _ _ [C]
But one day a rebel with [Em] a bullet in his chest [Am] _
hung his rifle on my [F] limbs and laid to rest.
And there beside me, [C] as the blood soaked to my roots, [G] the soldier sang a song of grace.
_ [Am] _
_ _ _ [C] _ _ _ _ [F] _
_ _ _ [C] _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ The heavy rifle [Em] bowed me over to the ground.
[Am] Two years I stayed this [F] way until the rifle fell.
And in this manner [C] for a hundred years I grew, and [G] all my dreams now had meant to be.
_ _ [C] And then one day two [Em] men came with a cross cut saw.
[Am] They spoke of how my [F] arch would hold a weight so strong.
And I feared not the [C] blade for such a worthy cause.
So [G] I fell.
_ I [G] gladly fell.
_ _ [Am] _ _ _ [C] _ _
_ _ _ [F] _ _ _ _ [Em] _
_ _ _ [D] _ _ _ _ [G] _
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_ _ _ [F] _ Three winter days [G] aboard a northbound train.
[F] _ Three more beneath the [G] Huwitz careful blade.
_ [F] _ And while he worked he [G] praised my rich red grain.
[F] _ Perhaps it was the soldier's blood that day.
_ _ _ _ [C] _
Now I'm the wooden [Em] arch that holds a mighty bell.
[Am]
Three stalks before me [F] cracked, but I shall never fell. _
Up in a tall [C] cathedral high above my dreams of [G] long ago.
And _ _ _ _ [C]
on Sunday mornings [Em] when I hear that sweet refrain, [Am]
I see the soldier's [F] face like it was yesterday. _ _
Calling angels [C] down from heaven with that hymn he [G] softly sang, _ _ _ _ with God's good grace.
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_ _ _ [Em] _ _ _ _ [Dm] _
_ _ _ [C] _ _ [G] _ _ [C] _
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