The Wheelright
(words & music by Karl Franzen)

There was a man in Templeton who built the wooden wheel.
He carved them out of oak and ashand bound them down in steel.
His arms were like the sea and stone, his eyes were like the sky.
His hammer blows were like a ravens cry.

She rode in on a steed of cloudsand eagle feathers, downy white.
Her breath it mingled with the darkness of a moonlit winter night.
Forced to carry but few thingsher carriage being in disrepair.
She saw the wagon wheel maker there.

Sir, I do not know your name athough I see it written there:
upon the arm of oaken girth the tatto of a wheel you bear.
I ned your service to make right my carraige e're the sun shall rise.
Bring with you a wheel of this size?

The town dissolved in distant night the brightness of a star.
The lady and the wheelright pinned the iron bar.
Her carriage being in good repair she bid the man adieu...
but before she left, a jewel to him she threw.

Take back your jewel, my gentle girl, but share with me this mead:
for I have vowed to take no payment from a friend in need.
The world is now a better placefor both of us to sleep.
Go in peaceand from all trouble keep.
Go in peaceand from all trouble keep.
--©2001 Karl Franzen


copyright 2001 Karl Franzen