| Once I was a stone, many years ago
|
| Into a pool was thrown, many years ago
|
| Time passed by, the pool ran dry, excavated was I
|
| And tempered and beat in a fiery heat
|
| By the hand of a man, who’s name was Dan
|
| Dan the blacksmith
|
| Once I was a sword, many years ago
|
| And my blade was broad, many years ago
|
| Worn with pride, into battle I’d ride at a warrior’s side
|
| And I cut and I killed and was lost in a field
|
| And I soon did rust, corrode to dust
|
| Oh my
|
| Once I was a daisy, many years ago
|
| In pastures green and lazy, many years ago
|
| But I was et by a goat who fell in a moat and forgetting to float
|
| He sunk like a lead and stayed until dead
|
| But was relieved to find just how kind it all was
|
| Once I was a grub, many years ago
|
| I lived in muck and mud, many years ago
|
| But on the very first noon, I became a cocoon that resembled a prune
|
| When the Good Lord was done in the warmth of the sun
|
| I shed my skins, and dried my wings, and I flew away
|
| Once I was a bullfrog, had to struggle for survival
|
| And once I was a carp and lived in waters ornamental
|
| And once I was a myna bird, quoting verses from the Bible
|
| Said, «Pretty boy, pretty boy, St. Luke»
|
| Once I was a mule, a many years ago
|
| But my master treat me cruel, a many years ago
|
| By and by I was sick, couldn’t move to his kick, so he took out a stick
|
| And hit it right 'cross my back to an almighty crack
|
| And to his dismay, I passed away, into the blue
|
| I was born a human baby, many years ago
|
| I was born unto a lady, many years ago
|
| All our hopes they were piled on the back of a child that turned out to be wild
|
| Sent the devil a prayer and caused the parson to swear
|
| So I took my leave to lie and thieve my way to jail
|
| I’ve been tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor
|
| I’ve known good times and disaster
|
| But now I’ve found a teacher, and the teacher has a master
|
| The master is perfection, so he helps us get there faster
|
| I don’t need no proof, because that’s the truth, and I’ll drink to that |