Queen of the Trees

Song launch commemorates late Queen, recognises her connection to Halifax Public Gardens

April 13, 2023 – In honour of Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II, The Friends of the Public Gardens has launched a commemorative song recognizing her connection to the Halifax Public Gardens.

Queen of the Trees, composed by Iris Black and Don Clark, had its official debut during a reception at Halifax City Hall on Wednesday, April 12. The song, created to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, is both a tribute to the longevity of the Queen and the resilience of the Halifax Public Gardens, North America’s only Victorian gardens.

“The song directly links Her Royal Majesty’s desire to build sustainability and extend the tree cover throughout the Commonweath and her iconic reign during which, like the trees in the Public Gardens, she stood proud and strong,” said Judith Cabrita, Board Chair, The Friends of the Public Gardens.

As the song, performed during the reception by pianist Nick Rodgerson and vocalist Laura Kohoot, says: In summer kind or icy grind, In gale or soft breeze, With nature’s force, she stays the course.

Lieutenant-Governor Arthur J. LeBlanc, Advanced Education Minister Brian Wong, and Halifax Mayor Mike Savage gave remarks at the event. 

The song project is part of a larger effort by the Friends of the Public Gardens to mark the Platinum Jubilee and the Queen’s incredible 70-year reign. With funding from Canadian Heritage, the Friends and the Monarchist League of Canada-Halifax-South West Nova Scotia Branch planted a Purple Fountain Beech in the Gardens just two days after the beloved monarch passed away last September.

This was inspired by the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, which has resulted in more than three million trees being planted in Her Majesty’s name as people “planted a tree for the Jubilee.” At the same ceremony in Halifax, a new bench was unveiled on the Queen Elizabeth II Walkway, which was dedicated in 2018.

Queen of the Trees is the brainchild of Halifax musicians Clark and Black, longtime supporters and advocates of the Gardens. Don has organized classical concert series and their band has performed in the Gardens’ bandstand. A recording of the song, with Laura Kohoot on vocals, Georges Hébert on guitar, and Catherine Little on cello, was recorded in late 2022, and will likely be performed again this summer in the Halifax Public Gardens.