Forest

July 9, 2015

We drove through the forest today on our way to Woodstock. The forests are very alluring to me.  I am in awe that so many trees can grow and thrive in this country. It is called the Green Mountain State for a reason. 

I have always been interested in how parents would keep their children safe in woods like these.  This area was settled so very early in the Nation's history.

My mother and grandmother used to sing a song to me as a child, called "Poor Babes in the Woods."  I always thought it was such a sad song and my own children would never let me sing it to them. If I started they would stop me and not let me finish. It was sung for many generations linking it to me. I think it was a way of teaching children not to go into the woods alone, just like the songs I sing like "Let the Ball Roll," reminding my kids not to chase after a ball when it goes into the street, or "Don't Go Down  to the Railroad Tracks" it is never safe to play by the railroad tracks.

I have a greater understanding of the childhood song that goes like this:

Poor Babes in the Woods

Oh don't you remember a long time ago,

two little babes, their names I don't know.

They strayed far away one bright summers day,

and were lost in the woods, so I've heard people say.

And when it was night, so sad was their plight,

The moon didn't shine and the stars gave no light.

And all the night long they sobbed and they sighed,

Poor babes in the woods, they laid down and died.

And when they were dead the robin so red,

Brought strawberry leaves and over them spread.

And all the night long they sang this sweet song,

"Poor babes in the woods, poor babes in the woods."

I do believe that mothers who wished to protect their children and maybe even scare them into not going into the woods sang these songs. BUT the woods are beautiful and mesmerizing.