King of Patience
(hummmm) The chisel's sharp,
the wood is fine,
the maple and the oak
I've carved a hundred pieces,
from a single stroke to stroke
The bishops, knights, and rooks are done,
the pawns all in a line
The final king I'll carve today,
a work that will be mine.
I'm the chessboard carver's final piece,
the king upon the board
The wood is smooth,
the lines are clean,
a masterpiece restored
I'll give it to my grandson,
who's learned to sit and see
The art of carving slowly,
the way it used to be.
He's watched me through the years,
my hands steady and true
He's learned to see the piece within the wood that's old and
new
He's asked me "Grandpa,
what's the key?" and I said "Patience,
boy"
The wood will give you all its secrets,
if you take the joy.
The king is finished,
polished, bright, he sits upon his throne
My grandson holds it in his hand,
he knows he's not alone
The chess set's complete,
the story's told, the wood has found its voice And I am
a proud carver, who made the best of every choice.
I'm the chessboard carver's final piece,
the king upon the board
The wood is smooth,
the lines are clean,
a masterpiece restored
I'll give it to my grandson,
who's learned to sit and see
The art of carving slowly,
the way it used to be.
Way it used to be.