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
And each one took a pot and swore she wouldn't cook alone
CHORUS:
The stone is in the kettle, the water's on the boil
And the work is always lighter
When there's many hands
The stone is in the kettle, the water's on the boil
And 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 but she bent to task a**igned
Around the corner peering came a shy and gentle man
“Excuse me for intruding, but I'll help with what I can.”
(CHORUS)
Well, the butcher's son declared that he would brave both cold and heat
And he 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 might need!”
(CHORUS)
So soon the fires were roaring up to meet that feast's demand
And that 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
And the work is always lighter
When there's many hands
The stone is in the kettle, the water's on the boil
And the work is always lighter
When there's many hands to toil!