DESCRIPTION:
Hugh Prestwood is an award-winning singer and writer of country music noted for his poetic lyrics. He was discovered by Judy Collins when she recorded his song "Hard Time for Lovers" in 1978, and went on to write a number of songs that became hits for singers such as Randy Travis, Colin Raye and Shenandoah.

His beautiful song about North America's oldest known living tree was brought to my attention by "beardedone85", who suggested I try singing it.

After recording this song I was surprised to see that fellow singer, "threelegsoman," put up an excellent rendition yesterday. But a great song like this deserves to have more people singing it, so I'm happy to add my attempt here.

Lyrics and chords:
Am.............................................. G............ Am
Way up in the mountains on the high timberline
................... G........... Am
There's a twisted old tree called the bristle cone pine
......... F................. Am......... G............. Am
The wind there is bitter and cuts like a knife
......... G................... Am.... Em............. Am.. Em.. Am.. Dm
And keeps that tree holding on for dear life.

But hold on it does standing its ground
Standing as empires rise and fall down
When Jesus was gathering lambs to his fold
The tree was already a thousand years old.

Dm............................ C....................... G............. C
Now the way I have lived there ain't no way to tell
.............. F............. C............G
When I die if I'm going to heaven or hell
............... F............... C.................. G................ Am
So when I'm laid to rest it would suit me just fine …
...... Dm................................. G............... Am
To sleep at the feet of the Bristle Cone Pine.

And as I would slowly return to this earth
What little this body of mine might be worth
It'd soon start to nourish the roots of that tree
And it would partake of the essence of me.

Who knows what’ll sprout as the centuries turn.
A small spark of me might continue to burn
As long as the sun does continue to shine
Down on the limbs of the Bristle Cone Pine.

Now the way I have lived there aint no way to tell
When I die if I'm going to heaven or hell
But I'd just as soon serve out eternity's time
Asleep at the feet of the Bristle Cone Pine
Asleep at the feet of the Bristle Cone Pine

Lyrics and chords of many of my songs are no longer available, as my website has expired. I am currently posting lyrics to the information panels on all my videos and those that are too long to post in full will be found on my new website: https://raymondsfolkpage.wordpress.com