Oak and Ash and Thorn

Oak, ash and thorn. It's sometimes called the witch's classical fay triad. All three trees had special significance.

Oak represents strength, prosperity, protection, and overall blessings. Ash is the Tree of Life, otherwise known as the World Tree, and represents unity and connectedness. There's a bit of dispute whether 'thorn' relates to Hawthorn or Blackthorn. But, frankly, either is good. Hawthorn represents wisdom, while Blackthorn - like Oak - symbolises protection. That said, Blackthorn also has associations with the darker side of witchery - so-called 'shadow work' and the keeping of secrets. It was not uncommon in past times for people to make up a faggot (a bundle of sticks tied together and used as kindling) of these three woods and to hang it in their houses.

Strength. Unity. Protection. Who wouldn't want that?

So, I decided I'd make a small one for myself and hang it in my office. I've been evil free now for at least three days. 

A Tree Song is a poem from Rudyard Kipling’s book Puck of Pook’s Hill. Peter Bellamy set it to music, retitled it Oak, Ash and Thorn and, in 1970, made it the title track of an album of songs set to Kipling’s poems. Bellamy noted on the original album: 

'Kipling entitled this poem A Tree Song, and it is to be found in the story Weland’s Sword. Both the tale and the song set the mood and pattern for all the stories and poems which follow. The tune is intended to recall those of some of the old wassail and ritual songs.'

A Tree Song 

Of all the trees that grow so fair, 

Old England to adorn, 

Greater are none beneath the Sun, 

Than Oak and Ash and Thorn. 

Sing Oak and Ash and Thorn, good Sirs 

(All of a Midsummer’s morn)! 

Surely we sing of no little thing, 

In Oak and Ash and Thorn! 

Oak of the Clay lived many a day, 

Or ever Aeneas began; 

Ash of the Loam was a lady at home, 

When Brut was an outlaw man; 

Thorn of the Down saw New Troy Town 

(From which was London born); 

Witness hereby the ancientry 

Of Oak and Ash and Thorn! 

Yew that is old in churchyard mould, 

He breedeth a mighty bow; 

Alder for shoes do wise men choose, 

And beech for cups also. 

But when ye have killed, and your bowl is spilled, 

Your shoes are clean outworn, 

Back ye must speed for all that ye need, 

To Oak and Ash and Thorn! 

Ellum she hateth mankind, 

and waiteth 'til every gust be laid, 

To drop a limb on the head of him 

That anyway trusts her shade: 

But whether a lad be sober or sad, 

Or mellow with ale from the horn, 

He’ll take no wrong when he lieth along 

’Neath Oak and Ash and Thorn! 

Oh, do not tell the Priest our plight, 

Or he would call it a sin; 

But—we have been out in the woods all night, 

A-conjuring Summer in! 

And we bring you news by word of mouth

Good news for cattle and corn

Now is the Sun come up from the South, 

With Oak and Ash and Thorn! 

Sing Oak and Ash and Thorn, good Sirs 

(All of a Midsummer’s morn)! 

England shall bide till Judgement Tide, 

By Oak and Ash and Thorn!

And here it is, sung in the pub by the wonderful Fay Hield.