EmAmEm
It is always a temptation for an armed and agile nation
B7
To call upon a neighbor and say,
EmAmEm
"We invaded you last night. We are quite prepared to fight
B7Em
Unless you pay us cash to go away."
AmEm
And that is called "asking for Dane Geld."
AmEm
And the people who ask it explain
AmEm
That once you have paid him the Dane Geld,
B7Em
Then you'll be rid of the dane.
EmAmEm
It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation
B7
To puff and look important and to say,
EmAmEm
"Though we really should defeat you, we've not the time to meet you.
B7Em
We'll therefore pay you cash to go away."
AmEm
And that is called "paying the Dane Geld."
AmEm
And we've proved it again and again
AmEm
That once you have paid him the Dane Geld
B7Em
You'll never get rid of the dane.
EmAmEm
It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation
B7
For fear they should succumb and go astray.
EmAmEm
So when you're requested to pay up or be molested
B7Em
You'll find it better policy to say...
AmEm
"We never pay anyone Dane Geld
AmEm
No matter how trifling the cost.
AmEm
For the end of that game is oppression and shame
B7EM
And the nation who plays it is lost."
AmEm
"No, we never pay anyone Dane Geld
AmEm
No matter how trifling the cost.
AmEm
For the end of that game is oppression and shame
B7AmEm
And the nation who plays it is lost."