Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
History Quarterly Digital Archives

Source: July 1940 Volume 3 Number 3, End Paper

The Tarleton Oak

Edith Wood Powell

Where Sugartown Road and Waterloo meet
There stands an Oak, quite near the street
Sturdy and strong it stands to-day
Yet how old it is no man can say.
But this we know from History's pages
It's three times more than present men's ages.

Neath its shade sat "Light Horse Harry"
And near it many a patriot did tarry
The fortunes of war brought British too
Who also enjoyed the shade it threw.
Oh what a tale its leaves could tell
As through the years they softly fell.

Couriers tearing through the night!
Bugles blowing with all their might!
Ruthlessness of British troops!
Ravishing farms of grain and fruits!
Gay red coats and glittering arms!
Rush and sound of war's alarm!

Tarleton Oak we drink your health
Sturdy you stood in hard times and wealth
May American children learn from you
Strength and endurance in all they do.