The Legend of the Dogwood Tree

Artist:  Wilma Lee Cooper
Key:     Eb
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t1RUCs7fb0



There is a lovely story, a legend though it be
It tells how blessed Jesus was pitied by a tree
'Twas in the days when Jesus this Earth did walk upon
The dogwood tree was larger, its wood was firm and strong

    How beautiful the story, the legend of the tree
    That fought for dear Jesus on cruel Calvary
    It proves that if we love Him, a blessing we'll receive
    Just as the lovely story of the lowly dogwood tree

(Recitation)
At the time of the Crucifixion, the dogwood attained the size of the oak and other forest trees
So strong and firm was the wood of it, that it was chosen for the timber of the Cross
To be used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree
And Jesus sensed this and smiled upon it, and in His gentle pity for sorrow, said to it:

Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, I make you this promise
Never again shall the dogwood grow enough to be used for a cross
Henceforth it shall be slender, and bent and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross
Two long petals and two short petals, and in the center of the outer edge of each petal
There'll be the nail print brown with rust and stained with blood
And the center of the flowers will be an image of the crown of thorns
And all who see it will remember that it was upon the dogwood tree I was crucified
And this tree shall not be mutilated or destroyed, but cherished as a reminder of My death upon the Cross

(Sung)
    Two petals long, two petals short, a symbol of the Cross
    On each the print of nails and blood which pictures Jesus' loss
    In the center of each flower the crown of thorns can see
    And so is told the legend of the lowly dogwood tree

Disclaimer: Although this transcription is based on the specified version, other versions and sources may have been consulted and errors made by the artist may have been corrected. Other errors should be reported to barb@barbdiederich.com.

Barb Diederich's Bluegrass Lyric Database / barb@barbdiederich.com