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In the streets of Hamlyn Street

A Deutsche cat has smelt a rat

In quiet corners scuffing can be heard

On breakfast tables food is snatched

And in their cradles babes are scratched

A scent so strong the cat no longer purrs

Clawing at the baker's door

Five at first but then them a score

Soon a hundred thousand fold arrive

Clasping on the cobblestones

Screams arise from waking homes

A fraulein's nightmare, now the town's alight

Shout to tail with nose held high

Sharp in tooth and wild of eye

And in their tongue the pack all cry

"Follow the leader"

Walk through windows, walk through doors

On the rooftops and under floors

And into the rich but no minor paw

"Follow the Leader, Follow the Leader"

Midday Hamlyn's overrun

Food and shelter from dust 'til dawn

Townsfolk stand on tables in the black for grip

But who's this in the market square?

Talking with the desperate mayor

Light of foot, the stranger places pipe to lip

With the mayor's promise in his ears,

Into Main Street he disappears

The tune he's play's heard at a mile

Incredible as it may seem

Into his wake the rats now stream

Ears cocked catch ending music

Strange but sweet

As a cloak of black they trail him now

Over the bridge at the top of town

Heat those running feet

Oh hear those running feet

The town is free the curse is raised

Claws are drawn to a different craze

For those lost in a musical maze

"Follow the Leader"

Over the bridge the last tall slips, the mayor's

Relieved with hands on hips

Receives the praise from the people's lips

"Follow the Leader, Follow the Leader"

Alone the piper returns to the square

A hand outstretched and anger in the air

The piper strings, the pipe again appears

To sons and daughters parents cling

But follow they must their Fairy King

His whistled magic falls upon the youngest ears