Once in my youth, I stood on the mountain
And planted some pines in the sand
Every day I looked their way
But I just couldn't understand

Why they never grew like I wanted them to
I just couldn't understand why
Now I've rambled around in this whole world through
And the day I just happened by

Tall pines, tall pines
Reachin' up for the clouds
Tall pines, tall pines
And I bet you wouldn't know me now

I'll never forget the mornin' I left
The hum of the bees in the hay
The farther I walk, the louder they talked
How silent it seems here today

There's the old wire fence we built inch by inch
Surroundin' the old family graves
Now there's one gravestone standin' all alone
There waitin' to meet me in the shade

Tall pines, tall pines
Reachin' up for the clouds
Tall pines, tall pines
I bet you wouldn't know me now

Tall pines, tall pines
Reachin' up for the clouds
Tall pines, tall pines
I've come home to sleep beneath your boughs