The Pied Piper

Rats, rats, rats, rats - they fought the dogs and killed the cats
They bit the babies in the cradles, ate the cheese out of the traps
"A ghastly plague that can't be beaten by our self as well.
We need a cure, a fast solution. Who can send them back to hell?"

At the door a strange figure's knocking, a piper in his hand
With a coat from heel to head, half of yellow, half of red
"I chiefly use my charm on creatures that do people harm
The mole and toad and newt and viper
And people called me the pied piper"

All the rats left this town
Called by the pipers song

Out came the rats and dancing to the magic tune
The old the young the big the small it was a tremendous boon
Step by step they followed to the pipers lay
Into the rivers arms so wide and never seen again

After all the rats were drowned the piper wants his gold
But the people tried to trick him, send him off without reward
"Your kids are mine if you don't pay me" no sooner said than done
From street to street he piped advancing, and step by step they followed dancing

All the children left this town
Called by the pipers song

Out came the children, running all the boys and girls
With rosy checks and sparkling eyes and with teeth like pearls
Step by step they followed to the pipers lay
Into a cave, beyond a wall and never seen again
Don't mess with the rat catcher or he calls for you
The gypsy coat of red and gold the wandering fellow
Step by step you follow to the pipers lay
Dance to the tune, the cheerful song and never seen again