Ohio Arbor Day 1913: Arbor and Bird Day Manual Issued for the Benefit of the Schools of our State

Excerpt

THE CLASS TREE.

(Tune: America.)

Grow thou and flourish well

Ever the story tell,

Of this glad day;

Long may thy branches raise

To heaven our grateful praise

Waft them on sunlight rays

To God away.

Deep in the earth to-day,

Safely thy roots we lay,

Tree of our love;

Grow thou and flourish long;

Ever our grateful song

Shall its glad notes prolong

To God above.

"Let music swell the breeze,

And ring from all the trees,"

On this glad day:

Bless Thou each student band

O'er all our happy land;

Teach them Thy love's command.

Great God, we pray.

—Emma S. Thomas, Schoharie, N.Y., in Teacher's Magazine.

THIS IS ARBOR DAY.

(Tune: Lightly Row.)

Arbor Day, Arbor Day,

See, the fields are fresh and green,

All is bright, cheerful sight,

After winter's night.

Birds are flying in the air,

All we see is fresh and fair;

Bowers green now are seen,

Flowers peep between.

Swaying trees, swaying trees,

Rocking gently in the breeze,

Dressed so gay, fine array,

For this is Arbor Day.

While we plant our trees so dear,

All the others list to hear

How we sing, in the spring,

And our voices ring.

Here we stand, here we stand,

Round the tree, a royal band;

Music floats, cheering notes,

Sweetly, gaily floats.

March along with heads so high

While our tree is standing nigh;

Step away, light and gay,

On this Arbor Day.

—Selected.

 

 

 

This school building is located at Pickerington, Fairfield County. Violet township helped to build this building, and the town and township have among the best of the centralized schools of the state.

 

WHY WE PLANT THE TREE.

First Pupil.

We plant the tree for the shade it gives;

For the shade of a leafy tree

On a hot summer's day when the hot sun shines,

Is pleasant for all to see.

Second Pupil.

We plant the tree for the dear birds' sakes,

For they can take their rest,

While the mate sings of love and cheer

To the mother on her nest.

Third Pupil.

We plant the tree to please the eye,

For who does not like to see,

Whether on hill or plain or dale,

The beauty of a tree?

Fourth Pupil.

We plant the tree for the wood to use

In winter to keep us warm,

And for hall and church and store and house,

To have shelter from the storm.

—Primary Education.

WHAT THE TREE TEACHES US.

First Pupil.

I am taught by the oak

To be rugged and strong

In defence of the right;

In defiance of wrong.

Second Pupil.

I have learned from the maple,

That beauty, to win

The love all hearts,

Must have sweetness within.

Third Pupil.

The beech with its branches

Widespreading and low,

Awakes in my heart

Hospitality's glow.

Fourth Pupil.

The pine tells of constancy,

In its sweet voice;

It whispers of hope,

Till sad mortals rejoice.

—Selected.

ARBOR DAY FETE.

By Grace A. Lusk, Milwaukee.

(Stage, if possible, represents scene out-of-doors; raised throne to right.)

Enter Chorus.

Every season hath its pleasures,

Which we sing in joyous measures;

In Summer's sunshine, rich and sweet,

Blossom flowers, ripens wheat;

Autumn puts the wood aflame,

Poets give her beauties fame;

Winter comes—a world of snow

And crisp, clear air make faces glow;

Spring awakens Nature dear,

Song birds chant 'neath skies so clear,

Every season hath its pleasures,

Which we sing with joyous measures....