I heard the old man tell his tale Tinker, alone within a storm And losing hope he clears the leaves beneath a tree Seven stones, lay on the ground Within the seventh house a friend was found And the changes of no consequence Will pick up the reins from nowhere Sailors, in peril on the sea Amongst the waves a rock looms nearer not yet seen The seagull flying by The captain turns the boat and he asks not why And the changes of no consequence Will pick up the reins from nowhere, nowhere Despair that tires the world Brings the old man laughter The laughter of the world only grieves him, believe him The old man's guide is chance I heard the old man tell his tale Farmer, who knows not when to sow Consults the old man clutching money in his hand With a shrug the old man smiled Took the money, left the farmer wild And the changes of no consequence Will pick up the reins from nowhere, nowhere Despair that tires the world Brings the old man laughter The laughter of the world only grieves him, believe him The old man's guide is chance