You've Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two

Album: Oliver! (1960)
Play Video
  • [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, what 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 Sikes
    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 old Bill Sikes
    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!
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.