[Verse 1]
Let us now praise a carpenter and the things that he made
And the way that he lived by the tools of the trade
I can still hear his hammer singing ten penny time
Working by the hour till the day that he died

[Chorus]
Ah he was tough as a crowbar, he was quick as a chisel
Fair as a plane, Lord, and true as a level
He was straight as a chalk line, he was right as a rule
He was square with the world, he took good care of his tools

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 2]
Lord, he worked his hands in wood from the crib to the coffin
With a care and a love you don't see too often
He built boats out of wood, big boats, working in a shipyard
Mansions on the hill and a birdhouse in the backyard

[Chorus]
He was tough as a crowbar, he was quick as a chisel
Fair as a plane, Lord, and true as a level
He was straight as a chalk line, he was right as a rule
He was square with the world, he took good care of his tools
[Guitar and Pedal Steel Guitar Solos]

[Verse 3]
He said anything that's worth cuttin' down a tree for
Is worth doin' it right, don't the Lord love a two-by-four?
Well, they asked him how to do somethin', he'd say just like Noah built the ark
You got to hold your mouth right, son, and never miss your mark

[Chorus]
You'll be tough as a crowbar, you'll be quick as a chisel
Fair as a plane, Lord, and true as a level
You'll be straight as a chalk line, you'll be right as a rule
You'll be square with the world, you take good care of your tools

[Chorus]
You'll be tough as a crowbar, you'll be quick as a chisel
Fair as a plane, Lord, and true as a level
You'll be straight as a chalk line, you'll be right as a rule
You'll be square with the world, you take good care of your tools