Another one of the great songs from Oliver. This is in the key used in the 1968 Oliver movie (Em).
I love all of Fagin's songs, this and Reviewing the Situation (which I also submitted) are so great.
For a more modal klezmery sound, you can substitute F#m7b5 (2x221x) for the Am at the start of each verse.
Note that it's just an Am with an F# in the bass (and no open A string). You can also sub a F7b5 (1x120x)
for the B7 on the 2nd line of the verses. And a D can sound nice instead of the Bm on the 3rd line of the
verses.
Personally I skip the boy's chorus at the end of each verse when playing it. I also skip the modulations
(it goes up to Fm for verses 3 through 5, and up to F#m for verse 6).
[Verse 1]
Em Am
In this life, one thing counts
Em B7
In the bank, large amounts
Em Bm Am Em
I'm afraid these don't grow on trees,
Am B7 Em
You've got to pick-a-pocket or two
B7 Em Am Em Am
You've got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys,
Em B7 Em
You've got to pick-a-pocket or two.
[BOYS]
Em Bm Am Em
Large amounts don't grow on trees.
B7 B7/F# Em
You've got to pick-a-pocket or two.
[Verse 2]
Em Am
Why should we break our backs
Em B7
Stupidly paying tax?
Em Bm Am Em
Better get some untaxed income
Am B7 Em
Better to pick-a-pocket or two.
B7 Em Am Em Am
You've got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys,
Em B7 Em
You've got to pick-a-pocket or two.
[BOYS]
Em Bm Am Em
Why should we all break our backs?
B7 Em
Better pick-a-pocket or two.
[Verse 3]
Em Am
Robin Hood, what a crook!
Em B7
Gave away, what he took.
Em Bm Am Em
Charity's fine, subscribe to mine.
Am B7 Em
Get out and pick-a-pocket or two
B7 Em Am Em Am
You've got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys,
Em B7 Em
You've got to pick-a-pocket or two.
[BOYS]
Em Bm Am Em
Robin Hood was far too good
B7 Em
He had to pick-a-pocket or two.
[Verse 4]
Em Am
Take a tip from Bill Sikes
Em B7
He can whip what he likes.
Em Bm Am Em
I recall that he started small
Am B7 Em
He had to pick-a-pocket or two.
B7 Em Am Em Am
You've got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys,
Em B7 Em
You've got to pick-a-pocket or two.
[BOYS]
Em Bm Am Em
We can be like old Bill Sikes
B7 Em
If we pick-a-pocket or two.
[Verse 5]
Em Am
Dear old gent passing by
Em B7
Something nice takes his eye
Em Bm Am Em
Everything's clear, attack the rear
Am B7 Em
Get in and pick-a-pocket or two.
B7 Em D Em Am
You've got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys,
Em B7 Em
You've got to pick-a-pocket or two.
[BOYS]
Em Bm Am Em
Have no fear, attack the rear
B7 Em
Get in and pick-a-pocket or two.
[Verse 6]
Em Am
When I see someone rich,
Em B7
Both my thumbs start to itch
Em Bm Am Em
Only to find some peace of mind
Am B7 Em
We have to pick-a-pocket or two.
B7 Em D Em Am
You've got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys,
Em B7 Em
You've got to pick-a-pocket or two.
[BOYS]
Em Bm Am Em
Just to find some peace of mind
B7 Em
We have to pick-a-pocket or two!
