Lyrics

[Intro] It is always a temptation to an armed and agile nation To call upon a neighbor and to say: "We invaded you last night—we are quite prepared to fight Unless you pay us cash to go away." [Chorus] And that is called asking for Dane-geld And the people who ask it explain That you've only to pay 'em the Dane-geld And then you'll get rid of the Dane! [Verse 1] It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation To puff and look important and to say: "Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you We will therefore pay you cash to go away." [Chorus] And that is called paying the Dane-geld; But we've proved it again and again That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld You never get rid of the Dane [Verse 2] It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation For fear they should succumb and go astray; So when you are requested to pay up or be molested You will find it better policy to say: [Outro/Chorus] "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 that pays it is lost!"