1The Mystery of the Pied Piper of Hamlyn
Twas in the year Twelve Fifty Four
Through every casement hole and door
The rats came pouring, squealing Gnawing.
In the kitchen! In the Loo! Over the master
having a poo!
Oh what a to do. The cook's all a quiver.
Black rat stew's not on the menu.
Oh me! Oh My! She cried.
They're nasty! They're smelly
They make me shiver!
A council was called The best minds in Hamlyn
A solution was need. But one that was cheap.
Then stepped forth a minstrel A jolly looking
fellow. Clad in in a suit both red and Yellow.
Honoured Alderman so noble and true.
Your problem I have the answer too.
Who pray, stranger are you? That enter here
Without a How do you do?
The Pied Piper I'm named and I sir
can rid Hamlyn of it's rats.
The council both Merchant and Burgher
Huddled together, conferred in a corner.
Dare they trust this fifer so guadily dressed
To charm every last rat from it's nest
The council so sagacious! So wise
Would asked of the piper for his
service and time What is the price?
My price it is cheap A mere forty gold marks
But heed yea well to this warning and harken
Do not try to cheat me of payment with larks
or deception. Else all Hamlyn will weep for
a lost generation.
All Hamlyn rejoice Your price we think fair
When the rats you've destroyed Not forty
We'll pay but fifty be there.
The piper his flute to his lips he did raise
The tune that he played was full of praise
It called to the rats with a promise of love
Sang to those below and above.
Out they all tumbled. Squeaking excited.
Their voices thundered and rumbled. From
every cubby hole and nesting. Even the babies
ceased their breast feeding.
The music was calling. Like the song of the fey
They couldn't ignore it They had to obey.
Follow the chorus. Thru' gate. lea and torus.
Down to the river It's torrent a gushing
Onward! Ever onward. Into the rapids a rushing.
Down to the depths The rats all went washing
Til narry a one was left in the town to tarry.
The piper his flute he did lower and back
to Hamlyn He strolled for his sack.
There was much rejoicing and the people did cheer
All but the Alderman. They gathered to hear
The piper his payment demand. Fifty gold marks
The price agreed. But then all went quiet as the
Stately old mayor now formally decreed.
Fifty gold marks? What rubbish indeed?
Here's five phenings now be gone rascal
Before I summon the town bede!"
My warning thou did not harken.
See now how the skies do darken
Behold the wrath of one deceived.
Forever now be Hamlyn grieved."
Out of every house they came
Children laughing! Children dancing.
Happy, singing All behind the piper prancing.
Mother's desperate! father's grabbing. Trying
To still their offspring. Make them stay, make
stop! Alas the despite their efforts they did not
Faster! Faster Ever onward behind the fifing
Pied Piper Skipped away all Hamlyn's young
Out from the town in a cloud of dust. Entranced
Away with out a backward glance.
Down the valley Thru the forest up the mountain
Hard pressed many sought to follow. But as night
Came down Of the children all sight was lost
As into a crack in the mountainside they passed.
All but three were gone forever. One a cripple
One unsighted and one so deaf the music he never heard
And now with the passing of the years. Hamlyns grief
Lingers still As oft through the night There comes from
Afar the tinkling sound of the Piper's fife.