Trees

Written by Arthur Benjamin and Doug Grauel

Performed 1982

Sung to the tune of Blue

True, True, Can it be true?
Someone gave trees to CMU.
Free trees, both small and large,
Free fifty grand delivery charge.

Trees, trees, we lost the trees,
Gone with the breeze, with no guarantees.
Gone, gone, their leaves are gone,
Big gaping holes on Warner Hall's lawn.

When they grew,
We were happy too,
Then they died.
The cashier nearly cried.

New, new, these trees are new.
Cost thirty grand, and guaranteed, too.
Dead trees aren't all for naught.
They still live on, in honor of Watt.

What???
Watt!!!

History: CMU received some trees as a donation but with a "free fifty grand delivery charge." These trees subsequently died and were replaced. A sign was posted by the dead trees (I have the picture from the Tartan) reading, "James Watt Memorial Forest." This refers, of course, to when James Watt was secretary of the interior (I think?!!) and wanted to strip the country of all trees for export.