Tubal Cain was a man of might
In the days when earth was young
By the fierce red light of his furnace bright
The strokes of his hammer rang
And he lifted high his brawny hand
On the iron glowing clear
Till the sparks rushed out in scarlet rout
As he forged the sword and spear
And he sang hurrah for my handiwork
Hurrah for the shield and sword
Hurrah for the hand that shall wield them well
For he shall be king and lord
So many came to Tubal Cain
As he wrought by his roaring fire
As each one prayed for a strong steel blade
As the crown of his desire
And he made them weapons sharp and strong
‘Til they shouted loud for glee
And gave him gifts of pearls and gold
And spoils of the forest free
And they sang hurrah for Tubal Cain
Who hath given us strength anew
Hurrah for the smith, the forge and fire
Hurrah for the metal true
But a sudden change came o’er his head
Ere the setting of the sun
And Tubal Cain was filled with pain
For the evil he had done
He saw that men with rage and heat
Made war upon their kind
And the land was red with blood they shed
In their rage for carnage blind
And he cried Alas! That ever I made
Or that skill of mine should plan
The spear and sword for the man whose joy
Is to slay his fellow man
And for many a day old Tubal Cain
Sat brooding o’er his woe
And his hand forebore to smite the ore
And his furnace smouldered low
But he rose at last with a cheerful face
And a brave courageous eye
And bared his strong right arm for work
While the quick flames mounted high
And he cried hurrah for my handiwork
While the red flames lit the air
Not alone for the blade was the bright steel made
And he forged the first ploughshare
And men, taught wisdom from the past
In friendship joined their hands
Hung the sword in the hall, the spear on the wall,
And ploughed the willing land
And sang hurrah for Tubal Cain
A staunch old friend is he
And for the ploughshare and the plough
To him our praise shall be
For Tubal Cain laid down the blade
And turned from tools of war
So we shall mind what we have made
And what we’re forging for
