We will hang you, never fear, Most politely, most politely

We will hang you, never fear, Most politely, most politely

"We will hang you, never fear, Most politely, most politely" is a line from the operetta "The Mikado" by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. The operetta is a satirical comedy set in the fictional Japanese town of Titipu, and it tells the story of a young man named Nanki-Poo who falls in love with the beautiful Yum-Yum, who is engaged to the Lord High Executioner, Ko-Ko.

The line in question is spoken by Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner, as he sings a humorous song about his duties. In the song, Ko-Ko explains that he is in charge of executing people who have been sentenced to death, but he assures them that they have nothing to fear because he will carry out the execution in the most polite and courteous manner possible.

This line is a perfect example of Gilbert's wit and humor, as he often used satire and wordplay to poke fun at societal norms and conventions. In this case, he is making a joke about the absurdity of the death penalty and the idea that it can somehow be carried out in a polite and civilized manner.

Gilbert and Sullivan were masters of the operetta genre, and "The Mikado" is considered one of their most popular and enduring works. The operetta premiered in 1885 and was an instant hit, with audiences and critics alike praising its clever lyrics, catchy music, and sharp satire.