inspired by “This is the house that Jack built”

This is the soil that covers the ground,

Where a plump and round seed is found,
Nestled in the soil that covers the ground.

This is the tree that grows proud and tall,
From the seed so plump and round,
Nestled in the soil that covers the ground.

This is the bird with its melodic call,
That nests in the tree grown proud and tall,
From the seed so plump and round,
Nestled in the soil that covers the ground.

This is the man walking through the land,
Who sees the bird with its melodic call,
That nests in the tree grown proud and tall,
From the seed so plump and round,
Nestled in the soil that covers the ground.

These are the cities and roads they plan,
That pay the man walking through the land,
Who sees the bird with its melodic call,
That nests in the tree grown proud and tall,
From the seed so plump and round,
Nestled in the soil that covers the ground.

And these are the men with their axes,
To build the cities and roads as planned,
That pay the man walking through the land,
Who sees the bird with its melodic call,
That nests in the tree grown proud and tall,
From the seed so plump and round,
Nestled in the soil that covers the ground.

And these are the rulers with their greed and taxes,
To gain money from the men with their axes,
To build the cities and roads as planned,
That pay the man walking through the land,
Who sees the bird with its melodic call,
That nests in the tree grown proud and tall,
From the seed so plump and round,
Nestled in the soil that covers the ground.

This is the river that flows through the town,
To carry the rulers with all their gold and taxes,
Gained from the men with their axes,
To build the cities and roads as planned,
That pay the man walking through the land,
Who sees the bird with its melodic call,
That nests in the tree grown proud and tall,
From the seed so plump and round,
Nestled in the soil that covers the ground.

And this is the pollution all garish and brown,
That is pumped into the river that flows through the town,
To carry the rulers with all their gold and taxes,
Gained from the men with their axes,
To build the cities and roads as planned,
That pay the man walking through the land,
Who sees the bird with its melodic call,
That nests in the tree grown proud and tall,
From the seed so plump and round,
Nestled in the soil that covers the ground.

And now come with me,
we have zoos and parks to see,
The bird with its melodic call,
and the tree,
That once grew proud and tall.