The old, gnarled apple trees that fill the orchard behind the Abbey church are in full bloom now. And we recall the lyrics of an early American hymn, clearly informed by the author's reading of the biblical Song of Songs, dear to our Cistercian forebears.
The tree of life my soul hath seen,
Laden with fruit and always green:
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree.
Laden with fruit and always green:
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree.
By faith I know, but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.
For happiness I long have sought,
And pleasure dearly I have bought:
I missed of all; but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.
And pleasure dearly I have bought:
I missed of all; but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.
Here I will sit and rest awhile:
Under the shadow I will be,
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.
It keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.
From Divine Hymns or Spiritual Songs,
compiled by Joshua Smith, New Hampshire, 1784.
Set to a tune by Elizabeth Poston, 1905-1987.
