Carrying The Banner
Alan Menken & Jack Feldman Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

That's my cigar

Snipeshooter:
You'll steal anudder

Kid Blink:
Hey, bummers
We got work tah do

Specs:
Since when did you become me mudder?

Crutchy:
Ah, stop yer bawling!

Newsies:
Hey! Who ast you?

Mush:
Try Bottle Alley or the harbor

Racetrack:
Try Central Park, it's guaranteed

Jack:
Try any banker, bum, or barber ...

Skittery:
They almost all knows how to read!

Kid Blink:
I smell money

Crutchy:
You smell foul!

Mush:
Met this goyl last night ...

Crutchy:
Move your elbow!

Racetrack:
Pass the towel!

Skittery:
For a buck, I might!

Newsies:
Ain't it a fine life
Carrying the banner through it all?
A mighty fine life
Carrying the banner tough and tall
Every morning
We goes where we wishes
We's as free as fishes
Sure beats washing dishes
What a fine life
Carrying the banner home-free all!

Jack:
It takes a smile as sweet as butter

Crutchy:
The kind that ladies can't resist

Racetrack:
It takes an orphan with a stutter

Jack:
Who ain't afraid ta use his

Kid Blink:
Fist!

Newsies:
Summer stinks and winter's waiting
Welcome to New Yawk!
Boy, ain't nature fascinating
When youse gotta walk?
Still, it's a fine life
Carrying the banner with me chums!
A mighty fine life
Blowing every nickel as it comes

Crutchy:
I'm no snoozer
Sitting makes me antsy
I likes living chancy

Newsies:
Harlem tah Delancey
What a fine life
Carrying the banner through the slums

Nuns:
Blessed children
Though you wander lost and depraved
Jesus loves you
You shall be saved!

SUNG IN COUNTERPOINT:

Patrick's Mother
Patrick, darling,
Since you left me I am undone
Mother loves you!
God, save my son!

Racetrack:
Just gimme half a cup

Kid Blink:
Something ta wake me up

Mush:
I gotta find an angle

Crutchy:
I gotta sell more papes

Various Newsies:
Papers is all I got
Wish I could catch a breeze
Sure hope the headline's hot
All I can catch is fleas
God, help me if it's not!
Somebody help me, please ...

Newsies:
If I hate the headlines
I'll make up the headline
And I'll say anything I hafta
'Cause at two for a penny
If I take too many
Weasel just makes me eat 'em afta

SUNG IN COUNTERPOINT
1. Look! They're putting up a headline
They call that a headline?
I get better stories
From the copper on the beat!
I was gonna start at twenty
Now a dozen'll be plenty
Tell me, how'm I gonna make ends meet?

2. What's it say?
That won't pay!
So where's your spot?
God, it's hot!
Will ya tell me
How'm I gonna make ends meet?

Newsies:
We need a good assassination!
We need an earthquake or a war!

Snipeshooter:
How 'bout a crooked politician?

Newsies:
Hey, stupid
That ain't news no more!
Uptown to Grand Central Station
Down to City Hall
We improves our circulation
Walking till we fall

SUNG IN COUNTERPOINT:
1. Still we'll be out there
Carrying the banner man to man!
We'll be out there
Soaking every sucker that we can!
See the headline:
Newsies on a mission!
Kill the competition
Sell the next edition
While we're out there
Carrying the banner is the--

2. Look, they're putting up a headline
They call that a headline?
The idiot who wrote it
Must be working for the Sun!
Didja hear about the fire?
3. Heard it killed old man Maguire!
2. Heard the toll was even higher
3.Why do I miss all the fun?

2. Hitched it on a trolley
3. Meetcha Forty-fourth and Second
2. Little Italy's a secret
3. Bleecker's further than I reckoned
2. By the courthouse
3. Near the stables
2. On the corner someone beckoned! and I ...

1. It's a fine life
Carrying the banner through it all?
A mighty fine life
Carrying the banner tough and tall
See the headline
Newsies on a mission
Kill the competition
Sell the next edition
What a fine life,
Carrying the banner!...

2. Would you look at that headline?
You call that a headline?
I get better stories
From the copper on the beat!
I was gonna start with twenty
Now a dozen'll be plenty
Would you tell me how'm I ever
Gonna make ends meet?

Hitched it on a trolley
Meetcha Forty-fourth and Second
Little Italy's a secret
Bleecker's further than I reckoned
By the courthouse
Near the stables
On the corner someone beckoned!





Go get 'em Cowboy ...
You got 'em now, boy

Overall Meaning

Carrying The Banner is a musical number from the Broadway musical Newsies, which is based on the 1992 movie of the same name. The musical follows poor young newspaper sellers in 1899 New York City who go on strike after a price increase from their bosses. In the scene, the Newsies are getting ready to sell their papers and are discussing the best spots to make sales. The song is a joyful celebration of their hard work, determination, and camaraderie. Newsies is known for its catchy songs, high-energy dance numbers, and inspirational story of standing up for what you believe in.


Each character in the song has their own distinct personality and voice, adding to the musical’s rich ensemble. Kid Blink is a charismatic leader, Racetrack is slick and streetwise, Mush is the jester of the group, and Jack is the heart and soul of the Newsies. The song features counterpoint singing, where multiple characters sing their own verses simultaneously, adding to the energy and excitement of the number.


The lyrics describe the Newsies’ tough but free lives, and their resourcefulness in finding the best places to sell their papers. They remark on their love for the hustle, the thrill of making money, and the satisfaction of a hard day's work. The song ends with a call to action - they need a big story to sell, and they’re determined to find one.


Line by Line Meaning

That's my cigar
I own this cigar


Snipeshooter: You'll steal anudder
Snipeshooter will steal another cigar


Kid Blink: Hey, bummers We got work tah do
Hey, guys, we have work to do


Specs: Since when did you become me mudder?
When did you start acting like my mother?


Crutchy: Ah, stop yer bawling!
Stop crying!


Newsies: Hey! Who ast you?
Who asked for your opinion?


Mush: Try Bottle Alley or the harbor
You can try Bottle Alley or the harbor


Racetrack: Try Central Park, it's guaranteed
You can try Central Park, it will definitely work


Jack: Try any banker, bum, or barber ...
You can try any banker, beggar, or barber


Skittery: They almost all knows how to read!
Most of them know how to read


Kid Blink: I smell money
I can sense that there's money nearby


Crutchy: You smell foul!
You smell really bad


Mush: Met this goyl last night ...
I met this girl last night...


Crutchy: Move your elbow!
Get your elbow out of my way


Racetrack: Pass the towel!
Give me the towel


Skittery: For a buck, I might!
I might do something for a buck


Newsies: Ain't it a fine life Carrying the banner through it all? A mighty fine life Carrying the banner tough and tall Every morning We goes where we wishes We's as free as fishes Sure beats washing dishes What a fine life Carrying the banner home-free all!
Isn't it a great life to carry the banner despite everything? It's a really great life to carry the banner with courage and strength every morning. We go wherever we want and feel as free as fishes. It's definitely better than washing dishes. What a wonderful life to carry the banner and be free at home!


Jack: It takes a smile as sweet as butter
You need to have an irresistibly sweet smile


Crutchy: The kind that ladies can't resist
The type of smile that women can't resist


Racetrack: It takes an orphan with a stutter
It requires an orphan with a stutter


Jack: Who ain't afraid ta use his
Who isn't afraid to use his...


Kid Blink: Fist!
Fist to fight


Newsies: Summer stinks and winter's waiting Welcome to New Yawk! Boy, ain't nature fascinating When youse gotta walk? Still, it's a fine life Carrying the banner with me chums! A mighty fine life Blowing every nickel as it comes
Summer is unpleasant and winter is yet to come. Welcome to New York! Nature can be interesting when you have to walk everywhere. Nevertheless, it's a great life to carry the banner with my friends. It's a really great life to spend every nickel as we receive it.


Crutchy: I'm no snoozer Sitting makes me antsy I likes living chancy
I'm not the type to sit and relax. Sitting makes me restless. I enjoy taking risks


Newsies: Harlem tah Delancey What a fine life Carrying the banner through the slums
I go from Harlem to Delancey. What a great life to carry the banner through the slums!


Nuns: Blessed children Though you wander lost and depraved Jesus loves you You shall be saved!
Blessed children, even though you are lost and morally corrupt, remember that Jesus loves you and you will be saved!


SUNG IN COUNTERPOINT: Patrick's Mother Patrick, darling, Since you left me I am undone Mother loves you! God, save my son!
SUNG IN COUNTERPOINT: Patrick's Mother expresses her sorrow and love for her son, praying that God saves him


Racetrack: Just gimme half a cup
Just give me half a cup of something


Kid Blink: Something ta wake me up
Something that will wake me up


Mush: I gotta find an angle
I need to find a way to approach this


Crutchy: I gotta sell more papes
I need to sell more newspapers


Various Newsies: Papers is all I got Wish I could catch a breeze Sure hope the headline's hot All I can catch is fleas God, help me if it's not! Somebody help me, please ...
All I have are newspapers. I wish I could find some relief. I really hope the headline is interesting. All I can catch are fleas. God, help me if it's not a good headline! Somebody please help me...


Newsies: If I hate the headlines I'll make up the headline And I'll say anything I hafta 'Cause at two for a penny If I take too many Weasel just makes me eat 'em afta
If I don't like the headlines, I'll make up my own headline. And I'll say anything I have to, because if I take too many newspapers, I'll be forced to return the unsold ones later.


SUNG IN COUNTERPOINT 1. Look! They're putting up a headline They call that a headline? I get better stories From the copper on the beat! I was gonna start at twenty Now a dozen'll be plenty Tell me, how'm I gonna make ends meet?
SUNG IN COUNTERPOINT 1. They're putting up a headline but it's not worth calling a headline. I can get better stories from the police officer on patrol. I planned to start with twenty newspapers, but now a dozen will be enough. How am I going to make enough money to survive?


2. What's it say? That won't pay! So where's your spot? God, it's hot! Will ya tell me How'm I gonna make ends meet?
2. What does the headline say? It won't bring in money! So where's your selling spot? God, it's hot! Can you tell me how I'm going to make enough money to survive?


Newsies: We need a good assassination! We need an earthquake or a war!
We need a sensational news event like an assassination, an earthquake, or a war!


Snipeshooter: How 'bout a crooked politician?
How about a corrupt politician as a news story?


Newsies: Hey, stupid That ain't news no more!
Hey, stupid, that's not considered news anymore!


Uptown to Grand Central Station Down to City Hall We improves our circulation Walking till we fall
We go from uptown to Grand Central Station and then down to City Hall. We increase our circulation by walking until we can't anymore


SUNG IN COUNTERPOINT: 1. Still we'll be out there Carrying the banner man to man! We'll be out there Soaking every sucker that we can! See the headline: Newsies on a mission! Kill the competition Sell the next edition While we're out there Carrying the banner is the--
SUNG IN COUNTERPOINT: 1. We will still be out there carrying the banner together! We will be out there taking advantage of every fool we can. Just imagine the headline: 'Newsies on a mission!' We're going to defeat the competition and sell the next edition while we're out there carrying the banner! That's what carrying the banner is all about.


2. Look, they're putting up a headline They call that a headline? The idiot who wrote it Must be working for the Sun! Didja hear about the fire?
2. Look, they're putting up a headline but it's not really a headline worth mentioning. The person who wrote it must be working for the Sun newspaper! Did you hear about the fire?


3. Heard it killed old man Maguire!
3. I heard the fire killed old man Maguire!


2. Heard the toll was even higher
2. I heard the number of casualties was even higher


3. Why do I miss all the fun?
3. Why do I always miss out on the fun?


2. Hitched it on a trolley 3. Meetcha Forty-fourth and Second 2. Little Italy's a secret 3. Bleecker's further than I reckoned 2. By the courthouse 3. Near the stables 2. On the corner someone beckoned! and I ...
2. I rode on a trolley. 3. Meet me at Forty-fourth and Second. 2. Little Italy is a secret. 3. Bleecker Street is further than I thought. 2. Near the courthouse. 3. Near the stables. 2. Someone called me over from the corner! And I...


1. It's a fine life Carrying the banner through it all? A mighty fine life Carrying the banner tough and tall See the headline Newsies on a mission Kill the competition Sell the next edition What a fine life, Carrying the banner!...
1. It's an amazing life to carry the banner despite everything. It's a truly great life to carry the banner with strength and resilience. Just imagine the headline: 'Newsies on a mission!' We're going to defeat the competition and sell the next edition. What a wonderful life, carrying the banner!...


2. Would you look at that headline? You call that a headline? I get better stories From the copper on the beat! I was gonna start with twenty Now a dozen'll be plenty Would you tell me how'm I ever Gonna make ends meet?
2. Look at that headline. Is that what you call a headline? I can get better stories from the police officer on patrol. I planned to start with twenty newspapers, but now a dozen will be enough. Can you tell me how I'm ever going to make enough money to survive?


Hitched it on a trolley Meetcha Forty-fourth and Second Little Italy's a secret Bleecker's further than I reckoned By the courthouse Near the stables On the corner someone beckoned!
I rode on a trolley. Meet me at Forty-fourth and Second. Little Italy is a secret. Bleecker Street is further than I thought. Near the courthouse. Near the stables. Someone called me over from the corner!


Go get 'em Cowboy ... You got 'em now, boy
Go and get them, Cowboy. You have conquered them now, boy!




Contributed by Hannah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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