Once in my youth, I stood on this mountain

And planted some pines in the sand

Every day I looked their way

But just couldn't understand



Why they never grew like I thought they should do

I just couldn't understand why

Now I've rambled around this wide world through

And today I just happened by



Tall pines, tall pines

Reaching up for the clouds

Tall pines, tall pines

I bet you wouldn't know me now.



I'll never forget the morning I left

The hum of the bees in the hay

The farther I walk, the harder they talk

How silent it seems here today



There's an old rail fence that we built, inch by inch

Surrounding the old family graves

And there's one gravestone standing all alone

There waiting to join me in the shade



Tall pines, tall pines

Reaching up for the clouds

Tall pines, tall pines

I've come home to sleep beneath your boughs.