Christopher Lee - I Stole the Prince

I Stole the Prince

Christopher Lee

I stole the Prince, and I brought him here

And left him gaily prattling

With a highly respectable gondolier

Who promised the Royal babe to rear

And teach him the trade of a timoneer

With his own beloved bratling!

Both of the babes were strong and stout

And, considering all things, clever!

Of that there is no manner of doubt –

No probable, possible shadow of doubt –

No possible doubt whatever!

But owing, I'm much disposed to fear

To his terrible taste for tippling

That highly respectable gondolier

Could never declare with a mind sincere

Which of the two was his offspring dear

And which the Royal stripling!

Which was which he could never make out

Despite his best endeavour1

Of that there is no manner of doubt –

No probable, possible shadow of doubt –

No possible doubt whatever!

Time sped, and when at the end of a year

I sought that infant cherished

That highly respectable gondolier

Was lying a corpse on his humble bier –

I dropped a Grand Inquisitor's tear –

That gondolier had perished!

A taste for drink, combined with gout!

Had doubled him up for ever!

Of that there is no manner of doubt –

No probable, possible shadow of doubt –

No possible doubt whatever!

The children followed his old career –

(This statement can't be parried!)

Of a highly respectable gondolier:

Well, one of the two (who will soon be here) –

But which of the two is not quite clear –

Is the Royal Prince you married!

Search in and out and round about

And you'll discover never

A tale so free from every doubt –

All probable, possible shadow of doubt –

All possible doubt whatever!

A tale so free from every doubt –

All probable, possible shadow of doubt –

All possible doubt whatever!