Wooden Waltz for a Poppeteer

There once lived a girl at the heart of a tree,
Now whittled and worn to the doll that you see.
Her lips may smile, but her heart never beat
Til she learned to dance for the poppeteer,
Til she danced for her poppeteer.

She said, thank you for so many things,
Your marionette on her tangled strings
Will spin for you and learn to sing
Til you smile for me, sweet poppeteer,
Til you smile, my poppeteer.

Show me the steps, count out the beat,
And I'll waltz for you on these wooden feet.
The tune is old, but the words are sweet.
Will you always be my poppeteer?
Will you be my poppeteer?

She said, I love you for so many things, so
This marionette on her tangled strings
Will spin for you and learn to sing
Til you smile for me, sweet poppeteer,
Til you smile, my poppeteer.

So, the marionette on her tangled strings
Danced to the tune of his painted dreams,
and the poppeteer smiled, looking down from the wings.
You will always be my poppet, dear.
You will always be my dear.