I will lend a rat to you For awhile God said For you to love her while she lives and mourn her when she's dead Maybe for 12 or 30 months or maybe 2 or 3 But will you, till I call her back Take care of her for me? Now will you give her all your love Nor think the labor vain? Nor hate me, when I come to you, To take my rat again? It was then, that I said , Dear Lord, thy will be done For all the joy this rat will bring the risk of grief I'll run and should you think to call her back much sooner than we planned I'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand And when her faithful soul departs this bitter world of strife Please Lord, lend me another rat I'll love her all her life