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.
His 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.
For happiness I long have sought,
and pleasure dearly I have bought.
I miss’d for all—but now I see—
’tis found in Jesus Christ the apple tree.
I’m weary with my former toil.
Here I will sit and rest awhile.
Under the shadow I will be
of Jesus Christ the apple tree.
I’ll sit and eat this truth divine.
It cheers my heart like spirit’al wine;
And now this fruit is sweet to me,
that grows on Christ the apple tree.
This fruit does 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.
—Eighteenth-century Christmas carol