When I grow up I wanna be a tree
Wanna make my home with the birds and the bees
And the squirrels they can count on me
When I grow up I wanna be a tree

I'll let my joints get stiff
Put my feet in the ground
Take the winters off and settle down
Keep my clothes till they turn brown
When I grow up I'm gonna settle down

(chorus)
I'm gonna reach I'm gonna reach
I'm gonna reach, reach for the sky
I'm gonna reach I'm gonna reach
I'm gonna reach till I know why

When the spring comes by I'm gonna get real green
When the dogs come by I'm gonna get real mean

On windy days I'll bend and lean
When I grow up I'm gonna get real green

(bridge)

And if I should fall in storm or slumber
Please don't turn me into lumber
I'd rather be a Louisville Slugger
Swingin' for the seats

(chorus)

When I grow up I wanna be a tree
Planted by streams of living water
When I grow up I wanna be like a tree
Planted by streams of living water
Oh, yeah

Permission to reprint these lyrics given by Chip Richter.