Dane-geld

[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!"