William Tell

In the town of Altdorf in Switzerland they say

That William Tell went walking with his little son one day

The Hapsburgs ruled the land, their hat hung in the town

But William Tell was proud and free and he would not

     bow down

William Tell was proud and free, and he would not bow down

Yodel Chorus

They took him to the Square where his punishment was read

Saying "You must shoot this apple that we set on your

     son's head"

The Gov'ner he just laughed, but the farmer stood so still

When he saw the frightened eyes of the son that he might kill

He took two arrows out, and he laid one in his bow

Then he split the apple neatly, still they would not let him go

"Two arrows?" asked the Gov'ner, and William Tell remarked

"If I'd missed with the first, you'd wear the second in

     your heart!"

Yodel Chorus

He had to go to prison, the Gov'ner gave the order

But a storm came up and William Tell escaped into the water

Later when that tyrant rode along a pathway narrow

William Tell sprang out and killed him with that second

     arrow.

Instrumental Chorus

Now William Tell's a hero to ev'ry little child

Who grows up a politician or a business man who smiles

Or a banker or a housewife, who never would rebel

And they all bow down to power, and their hero's William Tell.

We build our heroes statues and their deeds are widely spread

No need to feel guilty when our heroes are all dead.

Shall our heroes just be stories that the powerful can sell?

Or can we act with courage when we think of William Tell?

Shall our heroes just be stories that the powerful can sell?

Or can we act with courage, …  when we think of William Tell?

Yodel Chorus

Written by Peter Alsop, ©Moose School Music (BMI) 1981

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