Over the River and Through the Woods…

…To the Governor’s House We Go!

Twas months before Christmas and all through the state

They searched for a tree for the Governor’s estate.

The chainsaws all hung in Downey’s shop with care,

In hopes that news of the tree would come there.

The crews wore reflective yellow, I a hard hat

And had settled to wait for the flow of tree sap.

When all of the sudden we received the good word-

That a tree had been found- the crews started to stir!

And from the equipment yard there rose such a clatter, that Paul, Rusty, and Jacques went

To see what was the matter!

Out of the doorway they flew in a flash,

Jumped into their trucks… to the Tree at long last!

The sun had just peeked through the winter-bare trees,

Not a shadow was cast, but the crews were set free.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a crane, flat-bed truck and crew ready and near.

With a motivated driver, so lively and trusty,

I knew in a moment it had to be Rusty!

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

Now David! Now Dennis! Now Josie! Now Roland!

On JY! On Caleb! On Howard! On Kevin!

To the top of the crane! This tree’s sturdy and tall-

Now dash away, dash away, dash away All!

As dry leaves before Hurricane Matthew did fly,

When trees fell in Hilton Head- removals to try,

So the crew cut the tree- from the crane then it flew,

To be loaded on the truck- strapped down good and true.

And then in a twinkling a caravan formed

The tree, the crane, trucks- State Troopers to warn!

The parade made its way from forest to road

With flashing lights and a most precious load!

The holiday rush had begun with full swing

Heavy Atlanta traffic- most familiar ring.

Please clear the way- Move! Can’t you see?

That what we have here is the Governor’s tree!

Fifty miles, maybe more, the caravan was sent

Down I-20, ITP, through the city the tree went

At last we arrived at the West Paces home

A beautiful Red Cedar to place on the lawn

Tree, crane, trucks and troopers pulled into the gate,

Despite all the traffic we had not arrived late!

Men jumped out of their trucks and went straight to their work

The tree was lifted slowly- neither fumble nor jerk!

Smoothly the crane lifted tree off the truck

Downey Trees had done this before and needed no luck!

Skillfully and patiently- like training a pup-

The crew moved like clockwork and stood the tree up!

Few hours had passed since the new day had dawned

A new Christmas tree now stood on the Governor’s lawn!

Then Rusty, laying a finger aside of his nose

Sent Caleb and then up the tree he rose,

To disconnect the tree from its tensioning cable

And be decorated by others- Christmas symbol enabled!

Days later the Governor himself would delight

The citizens of Georgia as the tree he did light

But for now the work of Downey Trees had been done

And telling the story was certainly fun

And as flat-beds, cranes and trucks drove out of sight

You could hear Downey Trees say-

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!