Jesus Christ the Apple Tree

18th century poem The original words as published in “The Spiritual Magazine” in August 1761. Jesus Christ the Apple Tree lyrics in an 1897 republication of 1797 printing Jesus Christ the Apple Tree (also known as Apple Tree and, in its early publications, as Christ Compared to an Apple-tree) is a poem, possibly intended for use as a carol, written in the 18th century. It has been set to music by a number of composers, including Jeremiah Ingalls (1764–1838), Elizabeth Poston (1905–1987) and John Rutter. The first known publication, beginning The Tree of Life My Soul Hath Seen, was in London's Spiritual Magazine in August, 1761. This credits "R.H." as the submitter and presumed author. R.H. has been shown most likely to refer to Rev. Richard Hutchins, a Calvinist Baptist clergyman then in Long Buckby, Northamptonshire. Another early printing, which cannot be dated and could be earlier, is an English broadsheet. This broadsheet uses the term "Methodists," which certainly places it after about 1730, when the term first came into use at Oxford University, and probably substantially later, when the religious movement had spread. The hymn's first known appearance in a hymnal, and in America, was in 1784 in Divine Hymns, or Spiritual Songs: for the use of Religious Assemblies and Private Christians compiled by Joshua Smith, a lay Baptist minister from New Hampshire. It became prevalent in American publications but not English ones. Consequently, American authorship was sometimes assumed despite the lack of evidence.[citation needed] The song may be an allusion to both the apple tree in Song of Solomon 2:3 which has been interpreted as a metaphor representing Jesus, and to his description of his life as a tree of life in Luke 13:18–19 and elsewhere in the New Testament including Revelation 22:1–2 and within the Old Testament in Genesis. Apple trees were commonly grown in England and there was an old English tradition of wassailing or wishing health to apple trees on Christmas Eve. The song is now performed by choirs around the world, especially during the Christmas season as a Christmas carol. Another motivation of the song may have been to Christianize old English winter season songs used in wassailing the apple orchards — pouring out libations or engaging in similar ceremonies to seek fertility of the trees.

[edit] The tree of life my soul hath seen, Laden with fruit and always green; The trees of nature fruitless be, Compared with Christ the Apple Tree. His beauty doth all things excel, By faith I know but ne'er can tell The glory which I now can see, In Jesus Christ the Appletree. For happiness I long have sought, And pleasure dearly I have bought; I missed of all but now I see 'Tis found in Christ the Appletree. I'm weary with my former toil - Here I will sit and rest awhile, Under the shadow I will be, Of Jesus Christ the Appletree. With great delight I’ll make my stay, There’s none shall fright my soul away; Among the sons of men I see There’s none like Christ the Appletree. I’ll sit and eat this fruit divine, It cheers my heart like spirit’al wine; And now this fruit is sweet to me, That grows on Christ the Appletree. This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive; Which makes my soul in haste to be With Jesus Christ the Appletree.

Even though the words were first printed in a 1761 spiritual magazine, the imagery of Christ as a fruitful apple tree fits neatly into the Advent idea of waiting for the promised harvest. The poem’s gentle metaphor of a tree bearing sweet, sustaining fruit mirrors the season’s focus on hope, renewal and the promise of new life. Singers and worship leaders prize it for its calm, reflective mood, which balances the more triumphant carols that dominate the festive playlist. Its simple, pastoral language also makes it adaptable for different denominations, allowing choirs to experiment with varied harmonies while keeping the core message intact.

The lyric has been set by composers ranging from Jeremiah Ingalls to John Rutter, each offering a distinct texture. For a small parish choir, Ingalls’ straightforward, folk‑like tune organises the words into an easily learned 4‑part arrangement, perfect for a mid‑week service. If you have a larger ensemble and want to create a more lush, contemporary atmosphere, Rutter’s version uses extended chords and occasional brass colour, giving the hymn a festive lift without losing its meditative quality. Test the score with just a piano and one voice before committing to full instrumentation; this will reveal whether the arrangement suits your acoustic space and vocal strengths.

Many listeners assume the hymn originated in the United States because it appears frequently in American hymnals, but its first printing was a London broadsheet in the 1760s. The spread to the New World owes more to Baptist networks than to any transatlantic authorship dispute. Another myth is that the apple tree refers to a specific orchard; in fact, the apple is a biblical symbol of God's providence, used here to illustrate Christ’s nurturing presence. Clarifying these points helps congregations appreciate the hymn’s true heritage and deepens the theological resonance when it’s sung during the Christmas season.