The Poet and the Painter - Jethro Tull

The Poet and the Painter

Casting shadows on the water

As the sun plays on the infantry

Returning from the sea

The do-er and the thinker

No allowance for the other

As the failing light illuminates

The mercenary’s creed

The home fire burning

The kettle almost boiling

But the master of the house

Is far away

The horses stamping

Their warm breath clouding

In the sharp and frosty morning

Of the day

And the poet lifts his pen

While the soldier sheaths his sword

And the youngest of the family

Is moving with authority

Building castles by the sea

He dares the tardy tide

To wash them all aside, oh

The cattle quietly grazing

At the grass down by the river

Where the swelling mountain water

Moves onward to the sea

The builder of the castles

Renews the age-old purpose

And contemplates the milking girl

Whose offer is his need

The young men of the household

Have all gone into service

And are not to be expected

For a year

The innocent young master

Thoughts moving ever faster

Has formed the plan

To change the man he seems

And the poet sheaths his pen

While the soldier lifts his sword

And the oldest of the family

Is moving with authority

Coming from across the sea

He challenges the son

Who puts him to the run