Dane Geld Lyrics

It is always a temptation for an armed and agile nation
To call upon a neighbor and say,
"We invaded you last night. We are quite prepared to fight
Unless you pay us cash to go away."
And that is called "asking for Dane Geld."
And the people who ask it explain
That once you have paid him the Dane Geld,
Then you'll be rid of the dane.
It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation
To puff and look important and to say,
"Though we really should defeat you, we've not the time to meet you.
We'll therefore pay you cash to go away."
And that is called "paying the Dane Geld."
And we've proved it again and again
That once you have paid him the Dane Geld
You'll never get rid of the dane.
It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation
For fear they should succumb and go astray.
So when you're requested to pay up or be molested
You'll find it better policy to say...
"We never pay anyone Dane Geld
No matter how trifling the cost.
For the end of that game is oppression and shame
M
And the nation who plays it is lost."
"No, we never pay anyone Dane Geld
No matter how trifling the cost.
For the end of that game is oppression and shame
And the nation who plays it is lost."