Lyrics

BOO RADLEY’S TREE (by Heidi Wolfson)

There’s a switch that blows gentle and curving, hanging from Boo Radley’s tree
It cries in chorus with the branches where the winter still covers its leaves
The tree has lasted, it may come a century giving shelter to the enslaved and the free
Now it’s knothole is filled with sweet presents intended for Jem and for me

It’s like the sky has opened up and bestowed all of its gifts on us
Its grayness unbroken, pure sugar to be spun
And we stay so open while the world around us rages on
Entranced by powdery foil around this sweet strip of gum

Foot-washing Baptists trapped in a house with nothing to do but think
Quiet solitude and prayerful sweet sounds can’t scrub their hearts free of sin
And Boo spent his whole life repenting for wanting to live
And you can hear him laughing and crying in the branches and leaves

It’s like the sky has opened up and bestowed all its gifts on us
Its grayness unbroken, pure sugar to be spun
And we never stop hoping, he will come outside
And play away the morning for all the years he was denied

It’s like the sky has opened up and bestowed all its gifts on us
And a knothole full of treasure finds the answer to everyone’s hearts

Boo Radley’s tree sits regal as an eagle holding gifts for Jem and for me