You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two - Oliver!

Catchy song from the movie adaptation of the musical Oliver Twist.

Oliver! was released in 1968,

starring Ron Moody as Fagin, 

Mark Lester as Oliver (songs dubbed by Kathe Green),

Jack Wild as the Artful Dodger,

Shani Wallis as Nancy

and Oliver Reed as Bill Sikes.

In the song, Fagin teaches Oliver, the newbie in his ragtag group of pickpockets, how easy it is to pick pockets without attracting attention.

Lyrics : 

[FAGIN (spoken)]

You see, Oliver...

[sung]

In this life, one thing counts

In the bank, large amounts

I'm afraid these don't grow on trees,

You've got to pick-a-pocket or two

You've got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys,

You've got to pick-a-pocket or two.

[BOYS]

Large amounts don't grow on trees.

You've got to pick-a-pocket or two.

[FAGIN (spoken)]

Let's show Oliver how it's done, shall we, my dears?

[sung]

Why should we break our backs

Stupidly paying tax?

Better get some untaxed income

Better to pick-a-pocket or two.

You've got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys

You've got to pick-a-pocket or two.

[BOYS]

Why should we all break our backs?

Better pick-a-pocket or two.

[FAGIN (spoken)]

Who says crime doesn't pay?

[sung]

Robin Hood, what a crook!

Gave away, what he took.

Charity's fine, subscribe to mine.

Get out and pick-a-pocket or two

You've got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys

You've got to pick-a-pocket or two.

[BOYS]

Robin Hood was far too good

He had to pick-a-pocket or two.

[FAGIN]

Take a tip from Bill Sikes

He can whip what he likes.

I recall, he started small

He had to pick-a-pocket or two.

You've got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys

You've got to pick-a-pocket or two.

[BOYS]

We can be like old Bill Sikes

If we pick-a-pocket or two.

[FAGIN (spoken)]

Stop thief!

Dear old gent passing by

Something nice takes his eye

Everything's clear, attack the rear

Get in and pick-a-pocket or two.

You've got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys

You've got to pick-a-pocket or two.

[BOYS]

Have no fear, attack the rear

Get in and pick-a-pocket or two.

[FAGIN]

When I see someone rich,

Both my thumbs start to itch

Only to find some peace of mind

I have to pick-a-pocket or two.

You've got to pick-a-pocket or two, boys

You've got to pick-a-pocket or two.

[BOYS]

Just to find some peace of mind

[FAGIN AND BOYS]

We have to pick-a-pocket or two!