You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two – song lyrics from Oliver!
Song lyrics to You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two, from the musical Oliver! where Fagin is indoctrinating Oliver into the life of being a pickpocket. Words and music by Lionel Bart.
FAGIN
(spoken) You see, Oliver…
(sung) In this life, one thing counts
In the bank, large amounts
I’m afraid these don’t grow on trees,
You’ve got to pick-a-pocket or two
You’ve got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys,
You’ve got to pick-a-pocket or two.
BOYS
Large amounts don’t grow on trees.
You’ve got to pick-a-pocket or two.
FAGIN
(spoken) Let’s show Oliver how it’s done, shall we, my dears?
(sung) Why should we break our backs
Stupidly paying tax?
Better get some untaxed income
Better to pick-a-pocket or two.
You’ve got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys
You’ve got to pick-a-pocket or two.
BOYS
Why should we all break our backs?
Better pick-a-pocket or two.
FAGIN
(spoken) Who says crime doesn’t pay?
(sung) Robin Hood, what a crook!
Gave away, all he took.
Charity’s fine, subscribe to mine.
Get out and pick-a-pocket or two
You’ve got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys
You’ve got to pick-a-pocket or two.
BOYS
Robin Hood was far too good
He had to pick-a-pocket or two.
FAGIN
Take a tip from Bill Sykes
He can whip what he likes.
I recall, he started small
He had to pick-a-pocket or two.
You’ve got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys
You’ve got to pick-a-pocket or two.
BOYS
We can be like ol’ Bill Sykes
If we pick-a-pocket or two.
FAGIN
(spoken) Stop thief!
Dear old gent passing by
Something nice takes his eye
Everything’s clear, attack the rear
Get in and pick-a-pocket or two.
You’ve got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys
You’ve got to pick-a-pocket or two.
BOYS
Have no fear, attack the rear
Get in and pick-a-pocket or two.
FAGIN
When I see someone rich,
Both my thumbs start to itch
Only to find some peace of mind
We have to pick-a-pocket or two.
You’ve got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys
You’ve got to pick-a-pocket or two.
BOYS
Just to find some peace of mind
FAGIN AND BOYS
We have to pick-a-pocket or two!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VogHwP0C5VY