Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Queen
Canonical path: /queen/great-king-rat
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
Great King Rat
Read Great King Rat lyrics by Queen on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
Great King Rat
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Great king rat died today
Born on the twenty first of may
Died syphilis forty four on his birthday
Every second word he swore
Yes he was the son of a whore
Always wanted by the law
Wouldn't you like to know?
Wouldn't you like to know, people?
Great King Rat was a dirty old man
And a dirty old man was he
Now what did I tell you
Would you like to see?
Now hear this
Where will I be tomorrow?
Will I beg or will I borrow?
I don't care I don't care anyway
Come on, come on the time is right
The man is evil and that is right
I told you, ah, yes, I told you
And that's no lie, oh, no, no, no
Wouldn't you like to know?
Wouldn't you like to know?
Wouldn't you like to know?
Great king rat was a dirty old man
And a dirty old man was he
Now what did I tell you
Would you like to see?
Show me
Wouldn't you like to know?
Wouldn't you like to know, people?
Great King Rat was a dirty old man
And a dirty old man was he
Now what did I tell you
Would you like to see?
Now listen all you people
Put out the good and keep the bad
Don't believe all you read in the bible
You sinners get in line
Saints you leave far behind
Very soon you're gonna be his disciple
Don't listen to what mama says
Not a word not a word mama says
Or else you'll find yourself being the rival
The great lord before he died
Knelt sinners by his side
And said you're going to realize tomorrow
No I'm not gonna tell you
What you already know
Cause time and time again
The old man said it all a long time ago
Come come on the time is right
This evil man will fight
I told you once before
Wouldn't you like to know?
Wouldn't you like to know?
Just like I said before
Great King Rat was a dirty old man
And a dirty old man was he
The last time I tell you
Would you like to see?
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "Great King Rat"?
Queen performs "Great King Rat", and this lyric page sits inside the Queen catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Great King Rat"?
Yes. The related section below points to One Year Of Love and Don't Stop Me Now with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Queen?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Queen's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on Great King Rat yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.