I am an old brick mason and I've traveled in my time--
I've rambled north, I've rambled south, and up and down the line;
I've wandered east and wandered west, I've been most everywhere,
I've seen some things would make you weep, and some would make you stare.
And some would make you stare.

In Baton Rouge a lady lived, as best I can recall,
It was so very long ago it could have been St. Paul.
At any rate she kissed me with a rare and magic glance,
And I commenced to court and spark as if I had a chance,
As if I had a chance.

Her ankle it was curved just so, I never glanced her knee,
My heart began to patter should her dappled mare I see.
And passing I would leave a note, tucked neatly in her tack,
And hope I would that she would read, much more to send one back,
Much more to send one back.

And this she did! I'll ne'er forget, that lovely spring-time morn,
When rising with the early bells I found a scented form,
All pink and blue and violets, the message a cool draught--
"My love," she said, "my love for you it grows and grows by half ,
"Each day it grows by half."

From thince the time flew quickly, and the bricks rose from the floor,
I would stand upon my scaffold, watch my love pass thru the door.
Our notes would fly, like Luna moths, around the growing flame,
In every one she'd add a half, and I would do the same,
And I would do the same.

The summer passed to autumn, and the hotel it was done.
Where once there had been half the bricks there now was not a one.
And where her arrow once was seated well and to the mark,
I'd seen it fly until it came to rest inside my heart,
To rest inside my heart.

But then she told me sadly, that it was ne'er to be--
She had learned in mathematics that tis falseness that we see--
For when an arrow's started it must go by half, not all,
And from that it follows clearly that it cannot start at all,
Oh, it cannot start at all.


Each building that I've started has been finished in the end,
Each brick I've laid has kept its place spite of the stoutest wind.
I've heard the lady's married to some attorney from Dubuque,
With several lively children and a terrier named "Duke."
A terrier named "Duke."

But I--I've long departed, tho I'm not sure if I've went.
The road is long and winding, but the journey isn't spent.
I've never loved another like the girl who kept my heart,
And I've cursed the mathematics, that tore us all apart.
It tore us all apart.

I am an old brick mason now, I've traveled in my time--
I've rambled north, I've rambled south, and up and down the line;
I've wandered east and wandered west, I've been most everywhere,
I've seen some things would make you laugh, and some would make you care.
And some would make you care.