It's from a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta - very funny - satirical stuff, about bureaucracy, politics etc.
The Lord High Executioner of the state of Titipu has been appointed by a squeamish populace, because he's the next person awaiting execution, and can't cut off anyone's head until he's cut his own off! But he does a fabulous "patter song" I think its called, listing all the people he'd execute if he could. Your rant made me think of him.
See it if it comes your way - its a lot of fun. Well, a bit of fun anyway...