All the leaves on the giving tree have fallen
No shade to crawl in underneath
I got scars from a pocket knife
Where you carved your heart into me

If all you wanted was love
Why would you use me up
Cut me down, build a boat, and sail away
When all I wanted to be was your giving tree
Settle down, build a home, and make you happy?

I lie in the dead of night and I wonder
Whose covers you're between
And it's sad laying in his bed
You feel hollow, so you crawl home back to me

If all you wanted was love
Why would you use me up
Cut me down, build a boat, and sail away
When all I wanted to be was your giving tree
Settle down, build a home, and make you happy?

Well, I see a trail that starts
A line of broken hearts behind you
That lead you back to me
The once sad and lonely fool
With nothing left but roots to show, oh

If all you wanted was love
Why would you use me up
Cut me down, build a boat, and sail away
When all I wanted to be was your giving tree
Settle down, build a home, and make you happy?
Settle down, build a home, and make you happy?


Lyrics submitted by thoseguiltyeyes

The Giving Tree Lyrics as written by Tim Lopez Mike Daly

Lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company, Hipgnosis Songs Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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The Giving Tree song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    I believe this song is about a broken relationship. He sings about what he wanted from the relationship, that he wanted to give her everything he could, love her with all his heart. But she took advantage of that, and took more than what she should have. Then she left, not looking back. She left him broken, scarred, and lonely. Now he often wonders where she went, who she's using now. He's convinced she'll come back one day. But for now, he must remain alone.

    azzybobton May 07, 2015   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    When you love someone. You put your heart into them and you would do anything for them and you dont care about your health or sanity you just want to see a smile from them and you will do anything to do so. It doesnt matter how much they put you through you always end up together with them again, until one day all the leaves on the giving tree have fallen. You guys say youre lost without each other and you guys need each other and sometimes it can feel that way even tho she is with someone else and youre trying to move on and its just a huge mess but you always have each others backs even tho by this point in time you feel as if all you ever do to each other is hurt each other. Yeah ive been there and it sucks and this song was my anthem and let me know i wasnt the only one who went through something like that. Even if that isnt what the song is about that is what it means to me and it is the reason i love this song. I could not word this song any better and to me it is a perfect reflection on my feelings during that time in my life. I love this song and would not change anything about it. These are the words i was looking for.

    Kvboorchieon April 20, 2016   Link
  • 0
    Song Comparison

    I believe this was an ode to the poem, 'The Giving Tree' by Shel Silverstein. A story about how a boy selfishly demanded everything from a tree who loved him dearly. But in this case, the 'giving tree' is a guy.

    weisieffon September 13, 2016   Link

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