There was a man who dreamed a dream
to build a castle tall.
He found a place which met his needs
and started with the wall.

All day long, stone upon stone
he labored in the heat
to find a piece of wall which 'lone
was a fraction of the feat.

To see that measure filled his heart
with anger crossed with sorrow.
He walked away, leaving the part
not sure to return tomorrow.

Another man, he had a plan
to build a castle tall.
He drew a sketch, surveyed the land
and started with the wall.

Brick and mortar, foundations laid
the moat dug deep and long
were all needs listed at the end of the day
to make the structure strong.

Day after day, week after week,
month after month it grew
'til at last he lay asleep in bed
in a turret high and new.

So many-a time, we act on our dreams
our visions both new and old,
but simply to work, preparedness to shrink
can make firey hearts turn cold.

The pathwa is there, straightforward and clear
though treading it takes some sweat.
If bends are expected, the future projected
our castle we'll not regret.

Lincoln Hymnal