Shaan - The soldier and the oak

This is a story that beg^Eman long, long ago ^Am I was a young oak tree in d^Fark Missouri soil And like all other saplings ^CI had dreams of growing Strong and ta^Gll ^C But one day a rebel with a bul^Emlet in his chest ^Am Hung his rifle on my ^Flimbs and laid to rest And there beside me as the b^Clood soaked to my roots The soldier s^Gang

^C The heavy rifle bowed me o^Emver to the ground ^Am Two years I stayed this way unt^Fil the rifle fell And in this manner for a h^Cundred years I grew All my d^Greams

^C And then one day two men came w^Emith a cross cut saw ^Am They spoke of how my arch would h^Fold a weight so strong And I feared not the blade for s^Cuch a worthy cause And so I f^Gell

^F Three winter days ab^Goard a northbound train ^Am Three more beneath the h^Gewer's careful blade ^F And while he worked he pr^Gaised my rich red grain ^F Perhaps it was the sol^Gdier's blood that day ^C Now I'm the wooden arch that h^Emolds a mighty bell ^Am Three stocks before me cracked but ^FI shall never fail Up in a tall cathedral h^Cigh above my dreams Of long ^Gago ^C And on Sunday mornings when I ^Emhear that sweet refrain ^Am I see the soldier's face like ^Fit was yesterday Calling angels down from h^Ceaven with that hymn he softly s^Gang