Lyrics
Well, an axe came strutting through the forest
With a swagger in its swing
Saying, Look at all these mighty oaks
That have fallen for their king
It said, I cleared the hills and valleys
And I brought these giants low
If it wasn’t for my cutting edge
There’d be nowhere left to go
But it wasn’t the axe
No, it wasn’t the axe
It was the hand that held it
And the arm behind its tracks
Oh, it wasn’t the axe
Though it loved to boast and brag
For a tool’s just a tool
Till the Master lifts the handle from the rack
Then a saw stood up beside him
Saying, Friend, you’ve got it wrong
I’m the one who built the houses
I’ve been working all along
A rod said, I’m the ruler here
A staff said, I’m the guide
Till the woodsman started laughing
And they all stepped back aside
‘Cause it wasn’t the axe
No, it wasn’t the axe
It was the hand that held it
And the arm behind its tracks
Oh, it wasn’t the axe
Though it loved to boast and brag
For a tool’s just a tool
Till the Master lifts the handle from the rack
Does the lantern make the sunrise
Does the river make the rain
Does the saddle ride the cowboy
Does the harvest grow the grain
Can the song outsing the singer
Can the ship command the sea
Every good thing has a Maker
And that Maker isn’t me
Now I’ve known a few folks living
Like that foolish axe before
Taking credit for the blessings
That came walking through the door
Thinking they were self-made giants
Standing tall for all to see
Till a little truth and mercy
Showed them what they ought to be
No, it wasn’t the axe
And it wasn’t the saw
It wasn’t all our clever plans
Or anything we thought
No, it wasn’t the axe
Though we love to boast and brag
We’re all just tools in the workshop
Of the Master who still guides the hand
So tip your hat to the Woodsman
And the wisdom He imparts
For the strongest hand in all the land
Is the One who shapes our hearts