The Pied Piper
Come listen to me
Here is a tale from ancient days.
Full of enchantment, death and praise.
People gather round.
Listen to my magic sound...
In the town of old
over the mountains and the hills,
over the misty canyons ride,
rats in endless hoardes
terrified the population.
So the council met,
"What can we do about these rats,
too big and frightning for the cats?"
"People are afraid.
Anyone have a suggestion?"
"I saw a sign...
it said 'Rat Catcher'.
Price one hundred peices of gold."
"That sounds a lot
for just a rat catcher."
"For that he'll clear the whole town!"
("For that I'll clear the whole town.")
Never was a truer word told.
So the catcher came
wearing a scarlet cape and hat
velvety green boots and a sack,
and he held a flute,
silver as silver moonlight.
The catcher said a prayer
then he began to play the pipe
beautiful music floated by.
Rats from every hole,
headed for the man enchanted.
"Come with me
for I'm the pied piper.
Come and feel the happiness I bring.
Walk with me,
for I'm the pied piper.
I'll take you to a special place.
(I'll take you to a special place.)
I'll take you to a special secret place."
The piper led the rats
round every street and every road
out of the town and through the woods.
A swarming sea of rats
followed him down to the river.
Then they jumped right in!
They drowned as he played!
"Come with me
for I'm the pied piper.
Come and feel the happiness I bring.
Walk with me,
for I'm the pied piper.
I'll take you to a special place.
(I'll take you to a special place.)
I'll take you to a special secret place."
The people weren't impressed.
"Any of us could play the pipe."
"You don't deserve your princely fee."
"Take one piece of gold,
plenty for your minor service!"
The piper shed a tear.
"Didn't they understand the skill?"
Playing to mesmerise and kill.
So he took the pipe
and played for all the local children.
"Come with me
for I'm the pied piper.
Come and feel the happiness I bring.
Play with me,
your friend the pied piper.
I'll take you to a special place.
(I'll take you to a special place.)
I'll take you to a special secret place."
A line of children danced
through every street and every road
out of the town and through the woods
and to the misty hills
into a cave inside the mountain.
And they were never seen again, and nothing remained of the piper save a ghostly melody blown on the wind on leaf-damp days.
"Come with me
for I'm the pied piper.
Come and feel the happiness I bring.
Play with me,
your friend the pied piper.
I'll take you to a special place.
(I'll take you to a special place.)
I'll take you to a special secret place."
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