You've heard of me I have no doubt
Me and the rats we get about
I pipe them in then I pipe them out

...Dance to my tune my little brown loves,
Dance to my tune my little brown loves,
Dance away.

Come with me to Hamlyn Town where
There are no rats either black or brown
Where the plague is not yet found
...Dance ...

Together we'll make the Burghers wring
Their hands all night when the rats go in
They'll pay us off in the bright morning
...Dance...

And the rats go in and the rats go round
Biting the hogs and the hens and hounds
Hear the screaming in Hamlyn Town
...Dance...

And the Burghers in their panic say
Get rid of the rats and we will pay
Take the money and go away
...Dance...

But wait...the mayor won't pay our fee
He's turned his back on the rats and me
He's turfed us out at the boundary
...Dance...

So what shall we do, my furry friends
What shall we do so they make amends?
How shall we make them think again
...Dance...

We'll wait till the night of the Hunter's Moon
Then back in the town with a different tune
Calling the kids to a rendezvous...
Singing...
'Boys and girls come out to play
The moon is shining bright as day
Over the hills and far away'

...O Dance to my tune my pretty young things,
Dance to my tune my pretty young things,
Dance away.

And when the town awakes with fear
They'll be dancing far from here,
Leaving behind the plague and the tears
...O Dance...

But it's the children's dancing souls have fled
They leave their bodies cold and dead
And I'll move on when the rats have fed
...Dance...
We'll move on when the rats have fed
...Dance...