The Apple Tree

I have old recordings by 4 different artists of 'The Apple Tree Song'.

Wonderful recitation

 

Regretfully, I don't know the history of it. Will have to research.

 

"apple tree song?"

Sounds seedy, but appealing.

 

The Recitation part:

Not long ago a preacher had closed out a revival and boarded a train to start on his journey home. He sat down beside a young man and tried to start a conversation with him while making some comment about the weather. The young man didn't answer him so they rode on in silence. In a little while , the preacher heard the young man break out in sobs so he leaned over and put his arms around his shoulders and said, son I'm a minister and I'd like to help you in some way if I can. The young man said, yes, preacher I've got to talk to someone. You see, about two years ago, I had grown so wicked and went so far as to strike my dad with my fist. My dad told me, son you've grown so wicked that you're worring your mother to death and you are going to have to leave home. So you see preacher, for the past two years , I guess I've done just a little bit of everything that could be thought of that's wrong. But about two weeks ago, I knelt down at an old fashioned altar and the Lord glorously saved my soul. The first thing I thought of was my dear old mother and dad, and oh how I'd love to go back home. I sat down and wrote my dad a letter and said ... dad, if you could find it in your heart to forgive me , please let me come home. I told him that I would be on this train and if he wanted me to get off.. I would. Well this kinda confused the preacher a little bit and he said, son just how are you gonna know that your dad has forgiven you? The young man replied, preacher, for just about all my life, we'ved lived by these old railroad tracks in a little broken down house and out in the back yard stands an old apple tree. And I told my dad if he could find it in his heart to forgive me just to have a white flag in that old tree and I'd get off. In a little while the preacher heard the young man break out in sobs again. The young man said, preacher, I'm almost home but I can't bear to look...almost home preacher, but I can't bear to look. The preacher said, son that'll be alright...I'll look for you and I'll be your eyes. So the preacher leaned over and wiped away the frost from the window so he could see. And as he looked out a great big old smile came over his face and he looked back at the young man and said, son, you don't have a thing in this world to worry about. Why it looks like that old apple tree is in full bloom. Why son, there's white flags hanging all over it and that's not all. Down under it stands a dear old mother and dad and they're not only waving white flags, they've got a great big old white bed sheet waving...come on home son, we still love you, come on home. And you know I'm glad to know that we have a father up in heaven that no matter how wicked you've been and no matter how much wrong you've done he still loves you and saying come on home child...come on home.