[Verse 1 - early morning] The kingdom is like a householder Who went at dawn to hire labourers. For a penny a day they entered the vineyard, And morning opened over every row. [Refrain - the hours] At the third hour, Go ye also. At the sixth and ninth, Go ye also. At the eleventh he found men standing idle: Whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. [Verse 2 - evening reckoning] When even was come, the lord called his steward: Pay them their hire, beginning from the last. Each man of the eleventh hour received a penny; The first came forward expecting more. [Breakdown - the murmur] These last have wrought but one hour, Yet thou hast made them equal unto us. Friend, I do thee no wrong; Didst not thou agree with me for a penny? [Chorus - the master's answer] Take that thine is, and go thy way. I will give unto this last even as unto thee. Is it not lawful to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil because I am good? [Outro] So the last shall be first, and the first last; For many be called, but few chosen.