Copyright © 2005 The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive
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PIRATES: A rollicking band of pirates we,
Who, tired of tossing on the sea,
Are trying their hand at a burglaree,
With weapons grim and gory.
SGT: Hush, hush! I hear them on the manor poaching,
With stealthy step the pirates are approaching.
PIRATES: We are not coming for plate or gold;
A story General Stanley's told;
We seek a penalty fiftyfold,
For General Stanley's story.
POLICE: They seek a penalty
PIRATES: fiftyfold, We seek a penalty
POLICE: fiftyfold,
PIRATES & POLICE: We/They seek a penalty fiftyfold,
For General Stanley's story.
SGT: They come in force, with stealthy stride,
Our obvious course is now to hide.
POLICE: Tarantara, Tarantara!
Tarantara, Tarantara!
PIRATES: With catlike tread,
Upon our prey we steal;
In silence dread,
Our cautious way we feel!
No sound at all,
We never speak a word;
A fly's footfall
Would be distinctly heard.
POLICE: Tarantara, Tarantara!
PIRATES: So stealthily the pirate creeps,
While all the household soundly sleeps.
Come, friends, who plough the sea,
Truce to navigation,
Take another station,
Let's vary piracee
With a little burglaree!
Come, friends, who plough the sea,
Truce to navigation,
Take another station,
Let's vary piracee
With a little burglaree!
SAM: Here's your crowbar, and your centre bit,
Your life preserver: you may want to hit!
Your silent matches, your dark lantern seize,
Take your file and your skeletonic keys!
POLICE: Tarantara!
PIRATES: With catlike tread,
POLICE: Tarantara!
PIRATES: In silence dread,
With catlike tread,
Upon our prey we steal;
In silence dread,
Our cautious way we feel!
No sound at all,
We never speak a word;
A fly's footfall
Would be distinctly heard!
Come, friends, who plough the sea,
Truce to navigation,
Take another station;
Let's vary piracee
With a little burglaree!
With catlike tread,
Upon our prey we steal;
In silence dread,
Our cautious way we feel.

They seek a penalty
Fifty fold
They seek a penalty
Fifty fold
for General Stanley's story
Tarantara Tarantara Tarantara
Tarantara

By Arthur Sullivan
Generated by NoteWorthy Composer

Pirates Nos. 25 & 26
Lyrics
Pirates Tenor 1
Pirates Tenor 2
Sergeant
Police Baritone
Police Bass
Piano Right
Piano Left
Tempo Track