It was a bright and pleasant day, the sun it shone so free.
The folks went up to Scaffold Hill, some killing for to see.
Watch the axe chop the neck
of bonny young Jack
for a highwayman was he:
Mark the day!
Now Jack, he was a charming lad, a twinkle in his eye.
Of all the ladies gathered round was none who did not cry.
But no mercy he’d find,
for Justice is blind
and highwaymen must die:
Crime won’t pay!
Up marched the judge, clad all in black, the High Lord of the land,
behind him came the hangman grim, the axe held in his hand
in an unsteady way
for he had the past day
been carousing with a friend.
Mark the day!
Crime won’t pay!
Every man must pay his toll,
there’s one head that will not roll.
Every man must pay his toll,
but one head won’t roll.
Up to the scaffold Jacky went, and there he placed his head.
He gave a last forsaken smile, for soon he would be dead.
Then the axe it went Chack!
All cried: »Aim for the neck!«
but it hit the ground instead:
Mark the day!
Jack heard his heart beat like a drum and found he couldn’t fly,
he prayed that Death might spare his live, he heard some ladies cry.
Then the axe it went Chock!
All cried: »Don’t miss the block!«
But now guess who did not die!
Crime won’t pay.
The judge said to the hangman drunk: »Sir, you do seem unfit.
Have one last try, but I won’t have a hangman who won’t hit.«
Then the axe it went Chick!
And the hangman said: »Hick.«
And the judge yelled: »Fine! That’s it!«
Mark the day!
Crime won’t pay!
Every man must pay his toll,
there’s one head that will not roll.
Every man must pay his toll,
but one head won’t roll.
The judge he put the cursed axe all into Jacky’s hands,
and said: »Now make good use of it – I hope you’ll be good friends.«
Then the axe it went Swish!
and as all ladies wish
this is how the story ends.
Mark the day!
Crime won’t pay!
Every man must pay his toll,
there’s one head that will not roll.
Every man must pay his toll,
but one head won’t roll.
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Text und Melodie © 2005 by Thesilée