Eliza & Martin Carthy - The Elephant lyrics

[Verse:] 6 men of Hindustan to learnin' much inclined Went to see the Elephant Though all of them were blind That each by observation Might satisfy his mind Satisfy his mind, satisfy his mind Six men of Hindustan To learnin' much inclined Well the First approached the Elephant & happenin' 2 fall Against his broad & sturdy side At once began 2 bawl God bless me, but this Elephant is very like a wall! & the Second, feelin' of the tusk Cried ho what have we here So very round & smooth & sharp 2 me 'tis mighty clear This wonder of an Elephant is very like a spear! All of them were blind All of them were blind Six men of Hindustan To learnin' much inclined The Third approached the animal & happenin' 2 take The squirmin' trunk within his hands Thus boldly up his spake I see, quoth he The Elephant is very like a snake Then the Fourth reached out an eager hand & felt about the knee What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain quoth he 'Tis clear enough the Elephant is very like a tree! & the Fifth who chanced 2 touch the ear Said: "Even the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most Deny the fact who can This marvel of an Elephant is very like a fan! " & the Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast 2 grope Seizin' on the swingin' tail That fell within his scope I see, quoth he, the Elephant is very like a rope! All of them were blind All of them were blind Six men of Hindustan 2 learnin' much inclined 2 learnin' much inclined & so these men of Hindustan Disputed loud & long Each in his opinion Exceedin' stiff & strong Each was partly in the right But all were in the wrong So often theologic wars The disputants, I ween Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean & prate about an Elephant Not one of them has seen