Now be upon all the forests of the earth,
For Willow of the stream,
Hazel of the rocks,
Alder of the marsh,
Birch of the waterfall,
Ash of the shade,
Yew of the resilience,
Elm of the brae,
Oak of the sun,
And all trees that grow and live and breathe
On hill and break and glen.
No ax, no saw, no fire shall harm you,
No mind of ownership shall seize you,
No hand of greed or profit claim you,
But grace of the stepping deer among you,
Strength of the rooting boar beneath you,
Power of the gliding hawk above you,
Deep peace of the running stream through your roots,
Deep peace of the flowing air in your boughs,
Deep peace of the shining stars on your leaves,
That the harp of the woods be heard once more,
Throughout the green and living earth.
From Mara Freeman's "Kindling the Celtic Spirit"
