From the musical “Oliver”, 1959.
Words and music by Lionel Bart.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- 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
Large amounts don’t grow on trees
You’ve got to pick a pocket or two - Why should we break our backs
Stupidly paying tax?
Better get some untaxed income
Better pick a pocket or two
You’ve got to pick a pocket or two, boys
You’ve got to pick a pocket or two
Why should we all break our backs?
Better pick a pocket or two - 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
Robin Hood was far too good
Get out and pick a pocket or two - 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 got to pick a pocket or two
We could be like old Bill Sikes
If we pick a pocket or two - When I see someone rich
Both my thumbs start to itch
Only to find some piece of mind
I have to pick a pocket or two
You’ve got to pick a pocket or two
You’ve got to pick a pocket or two
Just to find some piece of mind
We have to pick a pocket or two
Sung here by
Fagin – Vancha March
Chorus – the eldest Ms. Bear, the middle Ms. Bear, the youngest Ms. Bear, Lizzie Lewis: