585. The Policeman's Song (Gilbert and Sullivan)

"The Policeman's Song" from "The Pirates of Penzance" was one of the first Gilbert and Sullivan songs I ever heard - sung by Danny Kaye on his 1949 album "Gilbert and Sullivan and Danny Kaye."

Here is my humble attempt at taking on the role of a British policeman.

Lyrics:

When a felon's not engaged in his employment
Or maturing his felonious little plan
His capacity for innocent enjoyment
Is just as great as any honest man.
Our feelings we with difficulty smother
When constabulary dutys to be done.
Taking one consideration with another
A policeman's lot is not a happy one
When constabulary duties to be done, to be done
A policeman's lot is not a happy one.

When the enterprising burglar's not a-burgling
When the cutthroat isn't occupied in crime
He loves to hear the little brook a-gurgling
And listen to the merry village chime.
When the coster's finished jumping on his mother
He loves to lie a-basking in the sun.
Taking one consideration with another
A policeman's lot is not a happy one.
When constabulary duties to be done, to be done
A policeman's lot is not a happy one

When the drunkard shows no sign of where the drink went
He nobly bids all alcohol farewell
When the juvenile delinquent to the clink went
He hung his mother's picture in his cell.
When the cardshark's finished wiping out his brother
He buys a rattle for his little son.
Taking one consideration with another
A policeman's lot is not a happy one.
When constabulary duties to be done, to be done
A policeman's lot is not a happy one.

You can see a playlist of my songs from shows here: http://www.youtube.com/my_playlists?p=32E9752D4EE9BBFA

For lyrics and chords of my songs please see my website: http://www.raymondcrooke.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• law
• bobby
• pirates
• penzance
• danny
• kaye

[shadowtrainer92]

i'm in pirates of penzance! you're singing my part, i'm the sergeant... the proper name is "When A Felon's Not Engaged In His Employment" (all of the Pirates song names were long and were the beginning lyrics)

[raymondcrooke]

@shadowtrainer92 Yes, you're right, but this is often also known as "The Policeman's Song," particularly the version sung by Danny Kaye.

[calummorris1993]

please tell me the chrods

[raymondcrooke]

Go to my website: raymondcrookeDOTcom

Click on "My Folk Songs" then on "Songs from Shows". You will find the chords there with the lyrics.

[darlingtester1982]

I am really happy to sing this song i heard this song for years i am born 1982 and i know this song that is really good take care Gizmo xox

[raymondcrooke]

Gilbert and Sullivan wrote some great songs.

[deaded1234]

nice!