Frederick Loewe Follow

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 upto tonight?

How goes the final hour as he sees his 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

As home through the shadows they wander
Everyone smiling in secret delight