[Silence]
[Instrumental, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano, Organ, Synth]
[Intro]
[Instrumental Intro: Dry Acoustic Guitar, Bouncy Bass, Tight Drums, Hammond Organ Stabs and Bright Analog Synth]
[Spoken Vocal]
Black locust…
(Lush lust)
Sure…?
(You’ll endure.)
[Verse 1]
Out along the fence line
Growing where it can
Roots down in the rocky soil
Standing where it stands
Didn’t need permission
Didn’t need a plan
Wind blew from the direction
Of where man made a stand
[Refrain]
The locust
(Is robust)
A thorn
(Thrust)
A torn born
[Chorus]
Black locust!
(… into me you thrust!)
Thorn upon the stem
Tough enough to weather
What is thrown at them
The locust
(Is robust)
A thorn
(Thrust)
A torn born
[Verse 2]
Maple in the garden
Oak beside the way
Sycamore and walnut
Growing day by day
Tulip poplar reaching
Toward the open sky
Evergreen beside it
Take a breath… sigh (Sigh)
[Instrumental]
[Electric Guitar Solo: Twangy Roots-Rock Lead With Hammond Organ, Banjo-Like Acoustic Picking, Bass and Driving Drums]
[Bridge]
One may struggle
One may thrive
Together
We can keep ourselves alive
[Rap Vocal Break]
The locust
(Is robust)
A thorn
(Thrust)
A torn born
Poplar!
(Is popular)
Watch it grow
(Watch it go, go, go)
All ya need to know
(Watch it grow)
Watch it go, go, go
(go, go, go)
[Breakdown]
[Music Drops to Acoustic Guitar, Bass and Light Percussion]
The locust
(Is robust)
A thorn
(Thrust)
A torn born
The locust…
… robust.
[Whispered]
A thorn…
Thrust…
A torn born.
[Final Refrain]
The locust
(Is robust)
A thorn
(Thrust)
A torn born
[Outro]
[Instrumental Outro: Acoustic Guitar Picking, Warm Hammond Organ, Bass and Light Drums; Birdsong-Like Synth Motif Fades Into Wind]
The locust…
for life lust…
A thorn…
Thrust…
[Spoken, fading]
Lush… (with the locust)
About the Song: Selecting Trees
A diverse mixture of trees provides the greatest resilience.
Both deciduous and evergreen (conifer) species should be included whenever practical.
Whenever possible, native species should be prioritized because they support local wildlife, require less maintenance, and are naturally adapted to regional conditions.
Nature often contributes to the experiment as well. Birds, squirrels, and the wind frequently plant volunteer seedlings that can be transplanted into containers.
During the Pennsylvania experiment, naturally occurring species included:
Black locust
Red and Japanese maples
Oak
Sycamore
Black walnut
Tulip poplar
The Black Locust
One of the most promising candidates for future forests is the black locust. Reaching heights of up to 100 feet and lifespans of 75-90 years, black locusts combine durability, rapid growth, and climate resilience. Their wood is exceptionally strong — with a Janka hardness of approximately 1,700 lbf, rivaling or exceeding that of white oak and golden teak. Their natural resistance to rot, ability to recover from damage, and tolerance of heat and drought make them remarkably suited for 21st-century conditions. Black locust sprouts vigorously from stumps and roots after cutting or damage. As hardwoods that also fix nitrogen, locusts help rebuild soils damaged by erosion and extreme rainfall.
The Silent Unraveling of Penn’s Sylvania
The Birnam Wood Experiment: Moving Forests
From the album “Robust“