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've never burned as bright

I wonder what the king is up to tonight

How goes the final hour

As he sees the bridal bower

Be legally and regally 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

Wiped 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 someplace to hide

And, oh! The expectation

The sublime anticipation

He must feel about his 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!