They were living in a rundown place,some call it a labor shack
Two tiny bedrooms for seven kids, with a privy out the back;
Dad was a farmer's hand, but work was slow that year,
They were scrapin' ends to feed the kids, as Christmastime drew near.

There wouldn't be a Christmas tree, and gifts would be mighty few
A pair of socks for each kid,maybe a paper doll or two;
Couldn't afford a turkey dinner, so an old hen would have to do,
Perhaps a homemade apple cake to go along with the chicken stew.

Children went to a little country school, not too many miles away
That had been decorated with a Christmas tree to celebrate the holiday;
Strung with tinsel and paper chains with a gold tin foil star on top,
The youngest boy stared at that tree 'til it seemed his eyes would pop.

It was the last day of classes before the holiday
The little lad had hung around while his siblings went on their way;
He was still in the room and I wondered what was wrong,
"What happens to the Christmas tree, when everyone is gone?"

"I suppose we'll have to throw it out,I have one already at home
"No one'll be here over the holidays, so the tree will be here alone".
That little fellow got an idea as he gazed at the sparkling tree,
His next question nearly broke the heart of an old country teacher like me.

"Folks can't afford a tree this year,Do you think it will be all right
If I took it home so we can have a tree on Christmas night?
It seems an awful pretty tree to be left alone on Christmas Day,
I know it would make my family happy, if it could come to stay".

I fear a tear ran down my cheek when I heard that little elf
Ask for a tree to cheer his family, and ask naught for himself;
"That's a wonderful idea!"Smiling through my tears,let's load it in my car,
Then you and I can take it to your house, and you can you carry the star".

We lovingly placed that tree in my trunk, still decorated with silver foil
And drove it to that little shack, a few miles off blacktop oil;
His mother came to the front door when we pulled up to the drive,
If he had gotten into trouble, she'd skin that boy alive.

"I hope you don't mind, but could you do a favor for me?
School's out for the holidays, and don't know what do do about this tree;
Your son fears it will be lonely, and he offered it a place to stay,
"I'll understand if you say no, but I'd just hate to throw it away".

I could see her swallow her pride, when her boy handed her the star
Then a smile lit upon her face,as she helped take the tree from my car;
"It's so kind of you to offer,it'll sure help make this house a home,
And I agree that a Christmas tree, should never spend Christmas alone".