The lyrics were mentioned in a novel I read so I looked it up in the Internet. I was happily surprised. =) 

Now when I want a laugh, I watch Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan on YouTube… especially the pirates’ rendition of ”With Cat-like Tread.” Here are two videos from YouTube: the 1980 Delacorte Theater Performance (which I think has higher energy) and a clip from the 1983 film (with lyrics). Watch out for the Russian squats at the end! And yes, I love Kevin Kline circa 1980 now too.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

PIRATES: (very loud)
With cat-like tread, (THUD!)
Upon our prey we steal; (THUD!)
In silence dread, (THUD!)
Our cautious way we feel. (THUD)
No sound at all! (THUD)
We never speak a word; (THUD!)
A fly’s foot-fall
Would be distinctly heard–

POLICE:
(softly) Tarantara, tarantara!

PIRATES:
So stealthily the pirate creeps,
While all the household soundly sleeps.

Come, friends, who plough the sea,
Truce to navigation;
Take another station;
Let’s vary piracee
With a little burglaree!

Come, friends, who plough the sea,
Truce to navigation;
Take another station;
Let’s vary piracee
With a little burglaree!

SAMUEL:
(distributing implements to various members of the gang)
Here’s your crowbar and your centrebit,
Your life-preserver — you may want to hit!
Your silent matches, your dark lantern seize,
Take your file and your skeletonic keys.

POLICE:
Tarantara!

PIRATES:
With cat-like tread

POLICE:
Tarantara!

PIRATES:
In silence dread,

(Enter KING, FREDERIC and RUTH)
ALL (fortissimo).

With cat-like tread,
Upon our prey we steal;
In silence dread,
Our cautious way we feel.

No sound at all!
We never speak a word;
A fly’s foot-fall
Would be distinctly heard–

Come, friends, who plough the sea,
Truce to navigation;
Take another station;
Let’s vary piracee
With a little burglaree!

With cat-like tread,
Upon our prey we steal;
In silence dread,
Our cautious way we feel!!!