Alan Jay Lerner - I Wonder What The King Is Doing Tonight lyrics

[ARTHUR] I know what my people are thinking tonight As home through the shadows they wander Everyone smiling in secret delight They stare at the castle and ponder Whenever the wind blows this way You can almost hear everyone say I wonder what the king is doing tonight? What merriment is the king pursuing tonight? The candles at the court, they never burned as bright I wonder what the king is up to tonight? How goes the final hour as he sees the bridal bower Being regally and legally prepared? Well, I'll tell you what the king is doing tonight He's scared, he's scared You mean that a king who fought a dragon Hacked him in two and fixed his wagon Goes to be wed in terror and distress? Yes A warrior who's so calm in battle Even his armor doesn't rattle Faces a woman petrified with fright? Right You mean that appalling clamoring That sounds like a blacksmith hammering Is merely the banging of his royal knees? Please You wonder what the king is wishing tonight? He's wishing he were in Scotland fishing tonight What occupies his time while waiting for the bride? He's searching high and low for some place to hide And oh, the expectation, the sublime anticipation He must feel about the wedding night to come Well, I'll tell you what the king is feeling tonight He's numb, he shakes, he quails, he quakes And that's what the king is doing tonight