Happy 238th Birthday, Johnny Appleseed!


Today marks the 238th anniversary of the birthday of Jonathan Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Like many people my age, I first became aware of Johnny Appleseed through the Disney film, which included this song:


The song is evidently a Swedenborgian hymn. Here are the complete lyrics:

Oh, the Lord’s been good to me.
And so I thank the Lord
For giving me the things I need:
The sun, the rain and the appleseed;
Oh, the Lord’s been good to me.

Oh, and every seed I sow
Will grow into a tree.
And someday there’ll be apples there
For everyone in the world to share.
Oh, the Lord is good to me.

Oh, here I am ‘neath the blue, blue sky
Doing as I please.
Singing with my feathered friends
Humming with the bees.

I wake up every day,
As happy as can be,
Because I know that with His care
My apple trees, they will still be there.
The Lord’s been good to me.

I wake up every day
As happy as can be,
Beacuse I know the Lord is there
Watchin’ over all my friends and me
The Lord is good to me.

Leave a comment