T HE MIDDLE GIRL OF MOTHER MAYBELLE’S THREE DAUGHTERS, Valerie June Carter, was born on this day in June 1929. June’s duet of “Pine Tree” with her third husband, Johnny Cash, is our oldest TSP sister Margaret’s favorite of Johnny and June’s work together, from the 1973 album “Johnny Cash and His Woman.” We’re marking June Carter Cash‘s birthday by sharing that song, a tale of jealousy, and of trust (the lyrics follow):
Pine Tree
By Billy Ed Wheeler
© ’73 Family Of Man Music, ASCAP
I lean my back against you thinkin’ you were an oak
I knew the wind could bend you but I can’t believe you broke
Now the wind could never break me only your false love
Honey I’ve been true I swear by God aboveI thought you were a willow but you never wept for me
You went roamin’ in the wildwood like a ship that roams the sea
The willow tree is fickle and it weeps in the morning dew
My love is a pine tree cause that’s the only tree that’s trueIf I was mistaken then take my eyes away
You made a bed in the wildwood and that’s where I saw you lay
Honey your eyes deceived you it’s true I touched the ground
But I never slept there I never let my long hair down mhmLove is like a thorn bush touch it and you will find
You’ll prick your fingers and leave the sweetest flower behind
Love oh love oh what you done to me
You set me a driftin’ like a ship upon the seaYes a ship there is I see you and you belong to me
My love is the ocean and deeper love cannot be
Yeah well I guess I was mistaken and woman I want you back
You never have left my heart now honey baby that’s a factCome to me pine tree and we will never part
We’ll put our roots down in each other’s heartCome to me pine tree and we will never part
We’ll put our roots down in each other’s heart
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, Margaret, ‘The Pine Tree’ is a masterpiece. After a few spins, it’s taken me back to Folsom Prison. June + Johnny = Heaven.
Glad you like it, Keith. Of course my love of things botanical just makes this even better, but they were swell all the time.