THE ARCHERS' SONG
From the Broadway Operetta "The Vagabond King" ( 1925)
(Rudolf Friml / Brian Hooker)

Charles Carver & Male Chorus (Broadway Production) - 1925
Frederic Collier & Male Chorus (London Production) - 1927
Oreste Kirkop & Male Chorus - 1956



There's a crook with a look like a book full of naughtiness
(Hi-ho-ho, the gallows tree)
With his boot full of loot and his heart full of haughtiness
(Hi-ho-ho and up goes he)
By day we'll take him tenderly by the door so
(By the torso)
Lead him straightway to the gallows tree
(And the Lord assoil his soul)

WHOOAGH! The boys have lost a brother
WHOOAGH! The Devil's caught another
There let him hang for a warning
Four and twenty crows (Arrhh!)
Pecking at his nose
Will he find repose, God knows!

There's a wench on a bench with a French kind of flossiness
(Hi-ho-ho, the gallows tree)
With a sly sort of eye and the sleek sort of sauciness
(Hi-ho-ho and up goes she)
Some dark night we'll catch her by the slack of her garter
(Hah, for a starter)
And march her off and never bring her back
(And the Lord assoil her soul)

WHOOAGH! There goes your little sister
WHOOAGH! Her brother never missed her
There let her hang for a warning
Four and twenty cats (Meaouw!)
Singing sharps and flats (Meaouw!)
Where will she be then, Amen!



(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - July 2006)