I’ve seen the sawn
I can’t cant
[verse 1]
The maple spoke to the oak:
“Seems ample here,
would we fear?” (Wood, we fear)
The evergreen considered the scene:
“Opine, the end is near” (pins and needles)
[Chorus]
(Knot now)
Not in the time of Man
Don’t think we can
No know-how
(Knot now)
Not in the spine of Man
[Bridge]
I’ve seen the sawn
I can’t cant
[Instrumental, Woodblock, Drum Fills, Guitar Solo]
[verse 2]
Asked the oak:
“We’re going to croak?
Maple, aren’t the woulds ample?”
The evergreen pondered the scene:
“Opine, the end of our dream” (pins and need-les)
[Chorus]
(Knot now)
Not in the time of Man
Don’t think we can
No know-how
(Knot now)
Not in the spine of Man
[Bridge]
I’ve seen the sawn
I can’t cant
[Instrumental, Woodblock, Drum Fills, Guitar Solo]
A SCIENCE NOTE(S)
A cant is a partially processed log, typically a large slab, that is sawn and sent to another machine for additional processing or sold for use as a building log. A cant sawmill specializes in the initial sawing of logs to create cants, which are then used for further manufacturing or construction purposes. The head saw, a key piece of machinery in this process, is responsible for the initial conversion of logs into cants. This machine is designed to make the primary cuts that transform raw logs into more manageable and uniform pieces, facilitating subsequent processing steps.
This song uses clever wordplay and metaphor to discuss deforestation and climate change. Here’s an interpretation of its lyrics:
[Intro]
“I’ve seen the sawn I can’t cant”
The speaker, a tree, has witnessed the cutting down of trees (“sawn”) and feels threatened. She can’t cant. A cant is a partially processed log.
[Verse 1]
“The maple spoke to the oak: ‘Seems ample here, would we fear?’ (Wood, we fear) The evergreen considered the scene: ‘Opine, the end is near’ (pins and needles)”
The conversation among the trees personifies them, giving them voices to express concerns about their survival. “Wood, we fear” is a play on words (“would we fear”), highlighting their anxiety about being cut down. The evergreen’s observation, “Opine, the end is near,” suggests a bleak outlook for the forest, evoking “pins and needles” as a metaphor for a tense, precarious situation.
[Chorus]
“(Knot now) Not in the time of Man Don’t think we can No know-how (Knot now) Not in the spine of Man”
The chorus plays with the homophones “knot” and “not.” “Knot now” indicates that the complex, intertwined issues of deforestation and climate change are not being addressed. “Not in the time of Man” suggests that humanity is failing to act within the necessary timeframe. “No know-how” implies a lack of knowledge or will to address these problems effectively. “Not in the spine of Man” implies a lack of courage or backbone in addressing these issues.
[Verse 2]
“Asked the oak: ‘We’re going to croak? Maple, aren’t the woulds ample?’ The evergreen pondered the scene: ‘Opine, the end of our dream’ (pins and need-les)”
The oak’s question “We’re going to croak?” directly addresses the threat of death facing the trees. “Aren’t the woulds ample?” (a play on “woods” and “woulds”) reflects a denial or hope that there’s still enough forest to survive, as well as suggest there are not enough “people that would help.” The evergreen’s response, “the end of our dream,” acknowledges the inevitable destruction, again playing on “pins and needles” to convey the fragility of their existence. The evergreen, a pine tree, also serves as wordplay with “opine” and pine “needles”. The use of “need-les” is double wordplay by the pine as she is making a commentary on the tendency for humans to be so needy, or a bunch of need-les.
The song uses wordplay and metaphors involving trees and woodworking to highlight the issues of deforestation and climate change. The trees personify nature’s plight, expressing fear and resignation. The chorus criticizes humanity’s failure to act, lacking the knowledge, courage, and urgency required to address these environmental crises. The repetition of the bridge underscores the speaker’s frustration and sense of helplessness.