Crooked Tree

Two trees in the forest, one was crooked, one was straight

Crimson bark and emerald needles growing day by day

And though they looked so different, they enjoyed the rain the same side by side

A chickadee had told them of a darkness on the land

Spinning blades that came to visit carried by a man

And every other tree would see them cut down where they stand by and by

Oh, can't you see

A crooked tree won't fit into the mill machine?

They're left to grow wild and free

Oh, I'd rather be a crooked tree

Perfect trees were driven down the mountain to the mill

They turned them into toothpicks and twenty dollar bills

It seemed the more the people took, the more they needed still in the end

The crooked trees were left there after all the work was done

Now they go for weeks and never witness anyone

No one left to tell them if they’re growing right or wrong but the whispering wind

Oh, can't you see

A crooked tree won't fit into the mill machine?

They're left to grow wild and free

I'd rather be a crooked tree

People say I'm different and my way of life seems strange

I took the road less traveled, twists and turns along the way

But like the crooked tree, I'm growing stronger day by day as the clouds roll by

A river never wonders why it flows around the bend

A mountain doesn't question how it rose up from the land

So who am I to wish I wasn't just the way I am? Who am I?

Oh, can't you see

A crooked tree won't fit into the mill machine?

They're left to grow wild and free

Oh, I'd rather be a crooked tree

A crooked tree won't fit into the mill machine

They're left to grow wild and free

I'd rather be a crooked tree

Oh, I'd rather be a crooked tree