Key: A
Introduction:
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There was a lad in Glesga town, Ramensky was his name
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Johnny didnae know it then but he was set for fame
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He did a wee bit job or two, he blew them open wide
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But they caught him and they tried him and they bunged him right inside
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Alley-ee alley-ay alley-oo alley-oh
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Open up your prison gates
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And let Ramensky go
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And when they let him out he said he'd do his best but then
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He yielded tae temptation and they bunged him in again
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Now Johnny made the headlines, entertained the boys below
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When he climbed up tae the prison roof and gave a one-man show
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Alley-ee alley-ay alley-oo alley-oh
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Open up your prison gates
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And let Ramensky go
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But when the war was raging the brass-hats had a plan
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Tae purloin some information, but they couldnae find a man
So they nobbled John in prison, asked if he would take a chance
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Then they dropped him in a parachute beyond the coast of France
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Alley-ee alley-ay alley-oo alley-oh
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Open up your prison gates
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And let Ramensky go
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Then Johnny was a hero, they shook him by the hand
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For stealing secret documents frae the German High Command
So Johnny was rewarded for the job he did sae well
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They granted him a pardon frae the prison and the cell
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Alley-ee alley-ay alley-oo alley-oh
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Open up your prison gates
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And let Ramensky go
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But Johnny was in error when he tried his hand once more
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For they caught him at a blastin', and it wasnae worth the score
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The jury pled for mercy, but the judge's voice was heard
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Ten years without remission, and that's my final word
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Ten years, my lord, that's far too long, wee Johnny cried in vain
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For if you send me up for ten I'll never come out again
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Oh give me another chance, my lord, I'm tellin' you no lie
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But if you send me up for ten I'll sicken and I'll die
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Alley-ee alley-ay alley-oo alley-oh
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Open up your prison gates
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And let Ramensky go
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Now Peterhead's a fortress, its walls are thick and stout
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But it couldnae hold wee Johnny when he felt like walking out
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Five times he took a powder, he left them in a fix
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And every day they sweat and pray in case he makes it six
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Alley-ee alley-ay alley-oo alley-oh
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Open up your prison gates
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And let Ramensky go