Activity 8: Poems and Songs about Trees

Music and poetry are beautiful ways to express how you are feeling. This activity will allow you to express your creative side through writing a song or poem of your choice about trees.

Below is an example of a poem about trees along with a fun traditional folk song:

 

Walking Among the Trees

As I walk along the towpath of the C&O Canal,
I see a forest of trees, full of life and color for all to see.
Some tall, some small, some old and young
For I feel at peace and so carefree,
that my day is done, and I get to walk among these trees.

~Kelly Savannah NPS Intern

Way Down Yonder in the Paw-Paw Patch

Where, oh, where is sweet little Nellie?
Where, oh, where is sweet little Nellie?
Where, oh, where is sweet little Nellie?
Way down yonder in the paw paw patch.

Come on, boys and let's go find her
Come on, boys and let's go find her
Come on, boys and let's go find her
Way down yonder in the paw paw patch.

Pickin' up paw paws, put 'em in your pocket
Pickin' up paw paws, put 'em in your pocket
Pickin' up paw paws, put 'em in your pocket
Way down yonder in the paw paw patch.

~Unknown artist; Paw-Paw Patch lyrics © Public Domain

 

Painting of Edgar Allan Poe writing at a desk.

NPS Photo / Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site in Pennsylvania.

Instructions for writing a poem:

1. You’ll need a piece of paper, a pencil, possibly a dictionary and/or a thesaurus.
2. Remember Poems can be:
   • “Rhyme-and-meter:” The poem has rhyming lines, and meter or rhythm. Rhymes tend to be at the end of each line, or every other line and Meters are lines or couplets (a couplet is a pair of lines) that have the same rhythm (pattern).
   • “Rhyming Poetry Without Meter”
   • “Free Verse:” Poems without rhyme or meter.
   • “Funny or sad” They can be whichever your heart desires, just remember the content must be family friendly!
3. Lastly, remember to have fun! 😊

 

Theodore Edison as a boy playing the piano in Den at Glenmont, Miss Lucy Bogue at his side.

NPS Photo / Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Instructions for writing a song:

1. You’ll need a piece of paper, a pencil, and possibly a dictionary and thesaurus.
2. Remember when writing a song, you will need:
   1. A topic or theme- “What your song will be about” I. e. Trees
   2. A melody- “A sequence of notes that are musically pleasing to listen to” So possibly you could use something similar that you have heard before.
   3. A chorus- “The part of the song you continue to return to” For example a rhyme.
   4. Some verses- “Where you tell your story, elaborate on your topic or theme and it can be as many lines as you want.”
   5. A purpose- “Why are you writing this song? Are you writing it for fun, to share a story or to teach others about your topic?” In this case, your topic would be trees.
3. Lastly, remember to have fun! 😊

 

Seeds for thought!

When creating your poems and songs here are some questions to think about to help your words on paper grow:

• Why do you like trees?
• Why should a poem or song be written about trees?
• How do trees look?
• What do trees provide for us?
• What is it like to climb/explore a tree?
• What is your favorite tree and why?
• Who lives in trees?
• What would it be like to be a tree?

 

Share your work!

If you would like to share your creations you may do so by emailing us at e-mail us or you can post your work on social media, using #FindYourPark, #candocanal and tag us @COcanalNPS for a chance for it to be featured on our site!