English Trees
Neil Finn
English trees in my garden
They planted seeds in a faraway land
In between the palms and the succulent grove
They lose their leaves in the winter
Mark the seasons for him and for her
Once upon a time in the fallen snow
Up against the sky made a silhouette show
England cries and she plays for him
The chords entwined like a requiem
Although it’s springtime and colour is new
In Regent’s Park I will mourn for you
And I must be wise somehow
‘Cause my heart’s been broken down
It’s so far to fall
And so hard to climb
Nothing’s sadder, I know
Than the passing of time
You won’t forget me
You won’t forget me
Like English trees in my garden
Summer’s missed you, my darling
All your crimes are forgiven
All your crimes are forgiven
And I must be wise somehow
You won’t forget me
You won’t forget me
And England cries
There’s English trees in my garden
Song appears on:
Crowded House - Time On Earth (2007)
Live: Various 2007-2010 live shows available at Nugs
Live: Various Fangradio broadcasts 2020-2021
“In England the seasons are very clearly marked and they also, to some degree, are a constant reflection on the moods of men and women and the passing of time, and that’s what I was reflecting on.
There must be something that you can understand or something that you can grasp hold of that gives you a clue as to life in tragic circumstances but you can’t see it at the time.”