Stone Soup

The cook was in the kitchen

The feasters in the hall

A single lady slaving

Would attempt to feed them all.

A family of newcomers

Saw her cooking on her own

Each one took a pot

And swore she wouldn't cook alone!

The stone is in the kettle

The water's on the boil

The work is always lighter

When there's many hands to toil!

Next there came a countess

Always giving, always kind

She was set to chopping carrots

And she bent to task assigned

Around the corner peering

Came a shy and gentle man

"Forgive me for intruding,

But I'll help with what I can."

The stone is in the kettle

The water's on the boil

The work is always lighter

When there's many hands to toil!

The butcher's son declared

That he would brave both cold and heat

And spent the day outdoors

To turn and baste the roasting meat.

A mother said, "I'd cook

But I've my little one to feed...

But we'd be happy to attend

To any errands that you need!"

The stone is in the kettle

The water's on the boil

The work is always lighter

When there's many hands to toil!

So soon the fires were roaring up

To meet that feast's demand!

And the single lady slaving

Had a dozen cooks at hand!

So though the work was frenzied

When the servers hit the hall

The feast was bright and merry

With food enough for all.

The stone is in the kettle

The water's on the boil

The work is always lighter

When there's many hands

The stone is in the kettle

The water's on the boil

The work is always lighter

When there's many hands

The stone is in the kettle

The water's on the boil

The work is always lighter

When there's many hands

The stone is in the kettle

The water's on the boil

The work is always lighter

When there's many hands

The stone is in the kettle

The water's on the boil

The work is always lighter

When there's many hands to toil!