No. 18 - Song - Quiller and Constables - "On the track."
Quiller: | If the awful instigator Or the dreadful perpetrator Of a horrid crime you're seeking for to ferret out, The detective who disguises, Whistles, hists and theorizes is the one who sets the greatest stock of merit out! On a fellow's nose a soot-print, In the sand a tiny foot-print, Strand of hair, a broken twig are clues most black. And if any such you find, Why you can safely bear in mind That you are very close, so close up on the track. So close, |
Constables: | Upon the track. |
Quiller: | So close, |
Constables: | Upon the track. |
All: | We're on the track. |
Quiller: | We're on the track, |
All: | We're on the track, |
Quiller: | We're on the track, |
All: | We're on the track, |
Quiller: | We're close up on the trail; We'll land our man in jail, Oh, yes, we're on the track, |
All: | We're on the track. |
Quiller: | If a wretch in anguish utter Steals a slice of bread, no butter, 'Cause he's starving and of pie he hasn't got any, He has time for deep repentance For the justice of the sentence Gives him twenty years in that far bay call'd Botany! It is surely far more healthy For the tolerably wealthy To appropriate, embezzle and conceal; For Dame Justice sits and grieves At never calling people thieves Who do not really need the things, The things they steal. The things |
Constables: | They never need |
Quiller: | To steal |
Constables: | They never need |
All: | The things they steal. |
Quiller: | We're on the track, |
All: | We're on the track, |
Quiller: | We're on the track, |
All: | We're on the track, |
Quiller: | If cash one does not lack; A kleptomaniac Is he who does not need |
All: | the things they steal. We're on the track! |
American Musical Theatre | The Highwayman
Page modified 15 December 2016