Based on a Revolutionary War maching tune, this nimble piece requires the greatest of care both to sing it and to pitch it correctly. You can usually tell if its keyed right by listening to the tenor note that slides up to the bird's-eye right before the end... Hmmmm...Yup. Just right. : )

Its poetry compares Jesus Christ to the Appletree with all of it's potentially nourishing, sheltering, and intoxicating properties.

While some have looked for an esoteric extra-Biblical source for the poet's inspiration, the image is directly taken from the Song of Solomon, the poetry which was also famously set by William Billings.

"As the appletree among the trees of the wood, so is my Beloved among the sons..."

Jesus Christ the Appletree

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.

This beauty doth all things excel:
By faith I know, but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,
It keeps my dying faith alive:
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This beauty doth all things excel:
By faith I know, but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

-- anon.

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