The Woodcutters Song – Cliar Cu Buidhe

The Woodcutter’s Song

Oak logs will warm you well
That are old and dry
Logs of pine will sweetly smell
But the sparks will fly
Birch logs will burn too fast
Chestnut scarce at all, Sir
And Hawthorne logs are known to last
That are cut down in the fall, Sir
Surely you will find
That none compare to the hardwood logs
That are cut in wintertime, Sir

Holly logs will burn like wax
You can burn them green
Elm logs burn like smoldering flax
With no flames to be seen
Beech logs for wintertime
Yew logs, as well, Sir
Green elder logs, it is a crime
For any man to sell, Sir
Surely you will find
That none compare to the hardwood logs
That are cut in wintertime, Sir

Pear logs and apple logs
They will scent your room
Cherry logs across the dogs
Smell like flowers in bloom
But ash logs, smooth and gray
Buy them green or old, Sir
And buy up all that come your way
For they’re worth their weight in gold, Sir
Surely you will find
That none compare to the hardwood logs
That are cut in wintertime, Sir

Maple logs are full of sap
They must be good and dry
Eucalyptus burns for crap
Its smoke will sting your eye
When you are off to war
Look you buy good logs, Sir!
And bring no wood that will not burn
For that is for the dogs, Sir
Surely you will find
That none compare to the hardwood logs
That are cut in wintertime, Sir