in Reasonland, the emperor came down
To the water's edge and said,
"I don't know where I'm bound
I've got emeralds and rubies sewn into my gown
But I am sadder than the diamonds in my crown
So will you lay me down in a fiddler's cloud
And float me out to sea
Let my aching head be still, let me surrender to your will
Float me out and deliver me"
the mighty king came down to the sea
Said, "I may win any battle that I please
I got a hundred-man batallion, they all fall down at my feet
But there's a songbird who will not sing for me
So will you lay me down in a fiddler's cloud
And float me out to sea
Let my aching head be still, let me surrender to your will
Float me out and deliver me
I wanna fly out to your center
I wanna sink down into your gold
I wanna go down without my dagger
I wanna shed these clothes"
The preacher's wife kneeled down by the waves
and said, "For your love and salvation I have prayed
I am a tired tightrope dancer, I wanna go no more this way
Just give me something, a penny for my faith
So will you lay me down in a fiddler's cloud
And float me out to sea
Let my aching head be still, let me surrender to your will
Float me out and deliver me
Will you lay me down, won't you lay me down
And float me out to sea
Let my aching head be still, let me surrender to your will
Float me out and deliver me