Hail To The Ancient Hat lyrics

(after Dance, Inez descends to L. C. Sancho and Jose bring Grigg, R.C., the rest surrounding.)

Inez: (to Rita)
Slave, take my robe.

Vasquez: (aside to Rita)
Obey her, Tis our plan (Rita receives shawl from Inez).

Grigg:
I am the most unfortunate young man.

Inez:
The sacred hat which all Ladrones know,
Bring forth, it on our chief we now bestow.

(Jose brings forth a very old and big Robber`s Hat, shabbily and tawdrily decorated. It is brought solemnly forward. All kneel, except Inez and Grigg. Sancho places a mat for him.)

HYMN OF THE CORONATION HAT
Ladrones:

Hail to the ancient hat!
Neath this our Chiefs have sat,
Kneel down upon the mat.
Hail! Hail! Ladrones.
Take it, O martial spouse!
Press it upon his brows;
May it his zeal arouse.
Viva Ladrones.
Take it, O martial spouse!
Press it upon his brows;
May it his zeal arouse.
Viva Ladrones.

Grigg:
Of this old Hat, so old and worn
The royalty I doubt;
Its regal mark, my friends, is gone,
Behold, its crown is out!

Ladrones:
None but the Chief e`er saw
That the Hat had a flaw,
Wear it! It is the Law of the Ladrones,
Wear it! It is the Law of the Ladrones.

With sword and pistol now your Chief surround.
He`s found and crown`d!
He`s crown`d,
He`s found and crown`d!
He`s found,
He`s found and crown`d!

Grigg:
I say to myself, my dear friend Grigg,
If safe I return I`d rather dig;
And take to a farm with horse and carts,
Than follow the arts in foreign parts.
Happy again, away from Spain, away, away from Spain.

Grigg Ladrones -
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