[Story Verse 1] Balak sent princes with payment and fame: "Come curse the people who cover the plain." Balaam desired what the messengers bore, Though heaven had warned him to seek it no more. He saddled his donkey and rode at first light; An angel stood armed in the narrow road's sight. [Comic-Tense Refrain] The donkey saw the angel, The prophet saw the wall. The beast turned out, crushed Balaam's foot, Then lay beneath it all. The mouth men thought was speechless Reproved the seer's wrong; The donkey saw the angel Before the prophet strong. [Verse 2] His eyes were uncovered; he bowed to the ground. The sword-bearing messenger stood where he'd frowned. He traveled to Balak, but only could say The word God appointed, no matter the pay. Seven altars smoking on mountain and height; Three times came blessing where curses were sought. [Chorus] How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, Spread like valleys by the stream. No spell can overturn the blessing, No king can purchase heaven's decree. A star shall rise from Jacob, A sceptre yet shall stand; The hired mouth spoke favor Over Israel's camped land. [Coda] Gold could not buy the sentence. Fear could not make it bend. The donkey saw the danger, And blessing won the end.