His awards include seven Tonys, three Grammys including Best Contemporary Classical Composition for Requiem, seven Oliviers, a Golden Globe, an Oscar, two International Emmys, the Praemium Imperiale, the Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre, a BASCA Fellowship and the Kennedy Center Honor.
He currently owns six London theatres, including the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and the London Palladium.
The Mirror
Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics
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Remember that too
Little Lotte thought: am I fonder of dolls
Or of goblins or shoes?
Or of riddles of frocks?
Those picnics in the attic
Father playing the violin
As we read to each other dark stories of the North
No, what I love best, Lotte said
Is when I'm asleep in my bed
And the Angel of Music sings songs in my head!
The Angel of Music sings songs in my head!
Insolent boy!
This slave of fashion
Basking in your glory!
Ignorant fool!
This brave young suitor
Sharing in my triumph!
Angel, I hear you!
Speak, I listen
Stay by my side, guide me!
Angel, my soul was weak
Forgive me
Enter at last, Master!
Flattering child, you shall know me
See why in shadow I hide
Look at your face in the mirror
I am there inside!
Angel of Music
Guide and guardian
Grant to me your glory
Angel of Music
Hide no longer
Come to me, strange angel
I am your angel
Come to me: Angel of Music
Whose is that voice?
Who is that in there?
I am your Angel of Music
Come to me: Angel of Music
Christine, angel!
The lyrics of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Mirror" form a conversation between Raoul and Christine. Initially, Christine talks about how, as a child, she used to imagine various things and compare them in her mind such as dolls, goblins, shoes, riddles, frocks or chocolates. However, her favorite experience was when she was in her bed and an angel came to her, singing to her while she slept. Raoul acknowledges that her singing is angelic, and tells her that her late father once promised to send an angel of music to her after he passed away, so clearly, the supernatural connection between Christine and the angel of music runs deep in her family.
As the song progresses, there's a shift as there's an abrupt change of tone and the Phantom, who has been eavesdropping on the conversation and had been listening in from the shadows, breaks in with emphasis on the lines “Insolent Boy!” and “Flattering child!”, revealing himself to Christine. He is agitated with Raoul and accuses him of being a slave to fashion and basking in his fame. He further goes on to declare that Christine finally listens to him since she recognizes the power of the angel of music within her. The song ends on the note that the angel of music has indeed taken over Christine.
Overall, the song is about Christine's bond with the angel of music, a supernatural force that guides her towards greatness, and its impact on her life that manifests through the music she sings. It also highlights the character of the phantom as an antagonist who covets Christine for himself and fights off Raoul, who he perceives as a rival.
Line by Line Meaning
Little Lotte let her mind wander
Lotte is letting her imagination run free
Little Lotte thought
Lotte is contemplating something
Am I fonder of dolls or of goblins or shoes
Lotte is questioning her preferences
Raoul
Christine is thinking of Raoul
(laughs)
Raoul is amused
Or of riddles or frocks
Lotte is still contemplating her preferences
Those picnics in the attic
Christine is thinking of good times past
Or of chocolates
Lotte is still questioning her preferences
Father playing the violin
Christine is thinking of her father
As we read to each other dark stories of the North
Christine is thinking of spooky stories she shared with her father
No what I love best Lotte said is when i'm asleep in my bed and the angel of music sings songs in my head
Christine loves it when she dreams of the 'Angel of Music'
The Angel of Music sings songs in my head
Reinforcing Christine's love for the 'Angel of Music'
You sang like an angel tonight
Raoul praises Christine's singing
Father said when i'm in heaven child I will send The Angel of Music to you. Well father is dead Raoul and I have been visited by the angel of music
Christine believes her father's promise of sending her the 'Angel of Music' has come true
Oh no doubt of it. and now we go to supper
Raoul agrees with Christine about the 'Angel of Music' and suggests they go to supper
No Raoul the angel of music is very strict
Christine warns Raoul about the strictness of the 'Angel of Music'
Well I shant keep you up late
Raoul doesn't want to keep Christine up late
Raoul no!
Christine doesn't want Raoul to leave
you must change i'll order my carriage two minutes little Lotte
Raoul wants to leave and is asking Christine to be ready to leave in two minutes
No Raoul wait!
Christine doesn't want Raoul to leave
Insolent boy! this slave of fashion basking in your glory Ignorant boy this brave young suitor sharing in my triumph!
The Phantom is angry at Raoul's audacity and success
Angel I hear you! Speak! I listen stay by my side guide me Angel my soul was weak forgive me! Enter at last master!
Christine is calling for the 'Angel of Music'
Flattering child you shall know me see why in shadow I hide look at your face in the mirror I am there inside!
The Phantom reveals himself to Christine through the mirror
Angel of music guide and Guardian grant to me your glory Angel of Music hide no longer come to me , strange angel
Christine is asking the 'Angel of Music' to guide and grant her glory
I am your Angel of music Come to me Angel of Music
The Phantom declares himself as Christine's 'Angel of Music' and calls for her to come to him
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Charles Hart, Richard Stilgoe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind