They thought me, once, a magic tree
Of wondrous lucky charm,
And at the door they planted me
To keep the house from harm.
They have no fear of witchcraft now,
Yet here am I today;
I’ve hung my berries from the bough,
And merrily I say:
“Come, all you blackbirds, bring your wives,
Your sons and daughters too;
The finest banquet of your lives
Is here prepared for you.”
(The Mountain Ash’s other name is Rowan; and it used to be called Witchentree and Witch-wood too.)