My grand old English oak tree, in late last summer's evening sun
A shadow of your former self when you were great and proud and strong
The hills, they stretch so far beyond whatever you could ever hope to see
Here is where your glory lies, beneath these fields of apathy and greed
How can I trust you when your boughs have broken beneath my feet
A thousand times before?
How can I love you when your leaves are always brown?
They fall around me without shame
My grand old English oak tree, in late last summer's evening sun
You took the P out of my pride, I've been taken for a ride
Will you grow forever till your leaves can mingle with the furthest stars?
And millions come from miles around to shelter underneath your holy palms
How can I trust you when your boughs have broken beneath my feet
A thousand times before?
How can I love you when your leaves are always brown?
They fall around me without shame
Without an ounce of shame
No hope and glory left I said, How can we have let you down?
Laughing Jack and the Union Star, God hope I'll be around
