From “ZIEGFELD FOLLIES OF 1911,” 1911. Words and Music by Irving Berlin and Vincent Bryan (after a poem by George Pope Morris – 1837). Cover Art by John Frew. Copyright ©27 Jun 1911. Sheet Music from the collection of Michael Deatz.
Sheet Music
Accompaniment
Lyrics
[chorus:]
Woodman, woodman, spare that tree
Touch not a single bough
For years it has protected me
And I’ll protect it now
Chop down an oak, a birch or pine
But not this slipp’ry elm of mine
It’s the only tree that my wife can’t climb
So spare that tree
Second chorus, after 78rpm records by Bob Roberts (Victor 1911–16909-A) and Bert Williams (Columbia 1913–A1321)
Woodman, Woodman spare that tree,
Touch not a single bough
I’ll throw that five-spot down to thee,
Just like I promised thou.
But you’d better make your axe behave.
This slipp’ry elm you’ve got to save.
It’s the borderline twixt me and the grave.
Woodman, spare that tree!