In Hamlin town there was a plague of rats, long time ago There came a piper to the town, who said he'd make them go The mayor and all his councillors said they would pay the fee If he would drive the rats away and leave the city free So come, come along Hear the pipers song Leave your work and leave your plate And still the pipers song Listen, the sound is getting near Listen, tell me if you hear The piper played his tune and all the rats began to run They followed him out of the town, they followed, every one The piper came to claim his gold, the mayor shook his head He would not pay the piper, so the piper turned and said Come, come along Hear the pipers song Leave your work and leave your plate And still the pipers song Listen, the sound is getting near Listen, tell me if you hear And all the children of the town went dancing down the lane The piper led them all away, they'll not come back again So if you ever call the tune, be sure that you can pay Don't try to cheat the piper or you'll live to rue the day So come, come along Hear the pipers song Leave your work and leave your plate And still the pipers song Listen, the sound is getting near Listen, tell me if you hear