A little priest
Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seems a downright shame...
TODD: Shame?
LOVETT:
Seems an awful waste...
Such a nice, plump frame
Wot's 'is name has...
Had...
Nor it can't be traced...
Bus'ness needs a lift,
Debts to be erased...
Think of it as thrift,
As a gift,
If you get my drift!
No?
Seems an awful waste...
I mean, with the price of meat
What it is,
When you get it,
If you get it...
TODD: HAH!
LOVETT:
Good, you got it!
Take, for instance, Mrs. Mooney and her pie shop!
Bus'ness never better using only pussycats and toast!
And a pussy's good for maybe six or seven at the most!
And I'm sure they can't compare as far as taste!
[Simultaneously]
TODD:
Mrs. Lovett, what a charming notion
LOVETT:
Well, it does seem a waste...
TODD:
Eminently practical
And yet appropriate as always!
LOVETT:
It's an idea...
TODD:
Mrs. Lovett, how I've lived
Without you all these years, I'll never know!
How delectable!
Also undetectable!
LOVETT:
Think about it!
Lots of other gentlemen'll
Soon be comin' for a shave,
Won't they?
Think of
All them
Pies!
TODD:
How choice!
How
Rare!
TODD:
For what's the sound of the world out there?
LOVETT:
What, Mr. Todd?
What, Mr. Todd?
What is that sound?
TODD:
Those crunching noises pervading the air!
LOVETT:
Yes, Mr. Todd!
Yes, Mr. Todd!
Yes, all around!
TODD:
It's man devouring man, my dear!
BOTH:
And [LOVETT: Then] who are we to deny it in here?
TODD: (spoken) These are desperate times,
Mrs. Lovett, and desperate measures are called for!
LOVETT: Here we are, now! Hot out of the oven!
TODD: What is that?
LOVETT:
It's priest. Have a little priest.
TODD:
Is it really good?
LOVETT:
Sir, it's too good, at least!
Then again, they don't commit sins of the flesh,
So it's pretty fresh.
TODD:
Awful lot of fat.
LOVETT:
Only where it sat.
TODD:
Haven't you got poet, or something like that?
LOVETT:
No, y'see, the trouble with poet is
'Ow do you know it's deceased?
Try the priest!
TODD: (spoken) Heavenly!
Not as hearty as bishop, perhaps,
But then again, not as bland as curate, either!
LOVETT:
And good for business, too -- always leaves you wantin' more!
Trouble is, we only get it on Sundays!
Lawyer's rather nice.
TODD:
If it's for a price.
LOVETT:
Order something else, though, to follow,
Since no one should swallow it twice!
TODD:
Anything that's lean.
LOVETT:
Well, then, if you're British and loyal,
You might enjoy Royal Marine!
Anyway, it's clean.
Though of course, it tastes of wherever it's been!
TODD:
Is that squire,
On the fire?
LOVETT:
Mercy no, sir, look closer,
You'll notice it's grocer!
TODD:
Looks thicker,
More like vicar!
LOVETT:
No, it has to be grocer --
It's green!
TODD:
The history of the world, my love --
LOVETT:
Save a lot of graves,
Do a lot of relatives favors!
TODD:
Is those below serving those up above!
LOVETT:
Ev'rybody shaves,
So there should be plenty of flavors!
TODD:
How gratifying for once to know
BOTH:
That those above will serve those down below!
LOVETT: (spoken) Now let's see, here... We've got tinker.
TODD: Something... pinker.
LOVETT: Tailor?
TODD: Paler.
LOVETT: Butler?
TODD: Subtler.
LOVETT: Potter?
TODD: Hotter.
LOVETT: Locksmith?
Lovely bit of clerk.
TODD:
Maybe for a lark.
LOVETT:
Then again there's sweep
If you want it cheap
And you like it dark!
Try the financier,
Peak of his career!
TODD:
That looks pretty rank.
LOVETT:
Well, he drank,
It's a bank
Cashier.
Never really sold.
Maybe it was old.
TODD:
Have you any Beadle?
LOVETT:
Next week, so I'm told!
Beadle isn't bad till you smell it and
Notice 'ow well it's been greased...
Stick to priest!
(spoken) Now then, this might be a little bit stringy,
But then of course it's... fiddle player!
TODD: No, this isn't fiddle player -- it's piccolo player!
LOVETT: 'Ow can you tell?
TODD: It's piping hot!
LOVETT: Then blow on it first!
TODD:
The history of the world, my sweet --
LOVETT:
Oh, Mr. Todd,
Ooh, Mr. Todd,
What does it tell?
TODD:
Is who gets eaten, and who gets to eat!
LOVETT:
And, Mr. Todd,
Too, Mr. Todd,
Who gets to sell!
TODD:
But fortunately, it's also clear
BOTH:
That [L: But] ev'rybody goes down well with beer!
LOVETT: (spoken)
Since marine doesn't appeal to you, 'ow about... rear admiral?
TODD: Too salty. I prefer general.
LOVETT: With, or without his privates? "With" is extra.
TODD: What is that?
LOVETT:
It's fop.
Finest in the shop.
And we have some shepherd's pie peppered
With actual shepherd on top!
And I've just begun --
Here's the politician, so oily
It's served with a doily,
Have one!
TODD:
Put it on a bun.
Well, you never know if it's going to run!
LOVETT:
Try the friar,
Fried, it's drier!
TODD:
No, the clergy is really
Too coarse and too mealy!
LOVETT:
Then actor,
That's compacter!
TODD:
Yes, and always arrives overdone!
I'll come again when you have JUDGE on the menu!
LOVETT: (spoken) Wait! True, we don't have judge yet,
But we've got something you might fancy even better.
TODD: What's that?
LOVETT: Executioner!
TODD:
Have charity towards the world, my pet!
LOVETT:
Yes, yes, I know, my love!
TODD:
We'll take the customers that we can get!
LOVETT:
High-born and low, my love!
TODD:
We'll not discriminate great from small!
No, we'll serve anyone,
Meaning anyone,
BOTH:
And to anyone
At all!
The song "A Little Priest" from the musical "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" takes place as Todd and Lovett discuss their business dealings. Lovett suggests they dispose of Todd's victims by turning them into savory pies, a "waste not, want not" attitude that supposedly serves the community - particularly those in the lower classes who can't afford meat. Lovett comes up with various professions (priests, lawyers, bankers, and more) that could be turned into pies, while Todd comments on their taste and quality. The storyline comes to an amusing and sinister climax when Lovett offers up a special ingredient: the executioner. The true weight of their cannibalistic deal finally hits the audience at the end of the song when the pair triumphantly declares, "And to anyone at all!"
Overall, "A Little Priest" is a satirical song that uses dark humor to expose the corrupt nature of Victorian society. The lyrics tackle societal issues like class divide, poverty, corruption, and the greed that pervades daily life. By making light of these heavy topics, the song allows the audience to approach them with a sense of detachment, which subsequently draws attention to how disturbing they really are.
Line by Line Meaning
Seems a downright shame...
It is truly unfortunate...
Seems an awful waste...
It is a tremendous loss...
Such a nice, plump frame
Referring to a person's body, which is desirable for culinary purposes
Wot's 'is name has...
Referring to a person whose identity is unknown or unimportant
Had...
Was previously in possession of...
Has!
Currently possesses...
Nor it can't be traced...
The person cannot be identified or linked to anything
Bus'ness needs a lift,
The business needs improvement or a boost
Debts to be erased...
The debts need to be paid off or eliminated
Think of it as thrift,
Consider it a form of saving or being economical
As a gift,
Like a present or offering
If you get my drift!
If you understand what I'm implying or insinuating
No?
Do you not understand or agree?
I mean, with the price of meat
What it is,
When you get it,
If you get it...
Considering the high cost and availability issues of meat
Good, you got it!
I'm glad you understand or see my point
Take, for instance, Mrs. Mooney and her pie shop!
Let's use the example of Mrs. Mooney and her business
Bus'ness never better using only pussycats and toast!
Her business is thriving by using unconventional ingredients
And a pussy's good for maybe six or seven at the most!
A cat can provide meat for a few pies only
And I'm sure they can't compare as far as taste!
They are not as delicious or flavorful in comparison
Mrs. Lovett, what a charming notion
Mrs. Lovett, you have an interesting idea
Well, it does seem a waste...
It does appear to be a lost opportunity or squandered potential
Eminently practical
And yet appropriate as always!
It is highly functional and fitting for the situation
It's an idea...
It's a concept or suggestion
Mrs. Lovett, how I've lived
Without you all these years, I'll never know!
I don't understand how I managed without you for so long
How delectable!
Also undetectable!
It is delicious and cannot be recognized or identified
Think about it!
Consider the proposal or idea
Lots of other gentlemen'll
Soon be comin' for a shave,
Won't they?
Think of
All them
Pies!
There will be many more customers coming for a shave, resulting in an abundance of potential meat for pies
How choice!
How
Rare!
It is incredibly desirable and uncommon
For what's the sound of the world out there?
What is the noise or commotion happening in the world?
What, Mr. Todd?
What, Mr. Todd?
What is that sound?
What is happening? What can you hear?
Those crunching noises pervading the air!
The sound of jaws munching and chewing
Yes, Mr. Todd!
Yes, Mr. Todd!
Yes, all around!
Indeed, it is happening everywhere
It's man devouring man, my dear!
It's a brutal world where people are consumed by their own kind
And [LOVETT: Then] who are we to deny it in here?
We have no right to reject or ignore this reality within our own establishment
These are desperate times,
Mrs. Lovett, and desperate measures are called for!
The current circumstances require extreme actions or strategies
Here we are, now! Hot out of the oven!
I have just prepared some fresh meat pies
What is that?
What type of meat is it?
It's priest. Have a little priest.
It's made from a clergyman. Try some of this pie.
Is it really good?
Is it truly delicious?
Sir, it's too good, at least!
It is incredibly tasty, to say the least
Then again, they don't commit sins of the flesh,
So it's pretty fresh.
Since priests are celibate, their meat is considered fresh and uncontaminated
Awful lot of fat.
There is a significant amount of fat in the meat
Only where it sat.
The fat is present only in specific areas where the priest's body stored it
Haven't you got poet, or something like that?
Don't you have any meat made from poets or similar occupations?
No, y'see, the trouble with poet is
'Ow do you know it's deceased?
The problem with using poets as meat is that it's difficult to know if they are actually dead
Try the priest!
Instead, let's use the meat of a clergyman
Heavenly!
It is absolutely divine or heavenly in taste
Not as hearty as bishop, perhaps,
But then again, not as bland as curate, either!
The flavor is not as rich as that of a bishop's meat, but it's also not as dull as the meat of a curate
And good for business, too -- always leaves you wantin' more!
It's also beneficial for the business since it creates a desire for more
Trouble is, we only get it on Sundays!
The challenge is that we can only acquire priest meat on Sundays
Lawyer's rather nice.
Meat from a lawyer tastes quite pleasant
If it's for a price.
If you are willing to pay for it
Order something else, though, to follow,
Since no one should swallow it twice!
Get another type of meat for the next course because it's not advisable to consume the same thing twice
Anything that's lean.
Meat that is low in fat
Well, then, if you're British and loyal,
You might enjoy Royal Marine!
For those who are patriotic and British, they might appreciate Royal Marine meat
Anyway, it's clean.
Though of course, it tastes of wherever it's been!
It is sanitary, but the flavor reflects the environment it came from
Is that squire,
On the fire?
Is that meat from a squire being cooked?
Mercy no, sir, look closer,
You'll notice it's grocer!
No, sir, take a closer look and you'll realize it's meat from a grocer
Looks thicker,
More like vicar!
It appears to be thicker and resembles the meat of a vicar
No, it has to be grocer --
It's green!
No, it must be grocer's meat because it has a greenish color
The history of the world, my love --
Save a lot of graves,
Do a lot of relatives favors!
This is a way to save space in graveyards and do favors for family members
Is those below serving those up above!
The individuals who have passed away are now being consumed by the living
Ev'rybody shaves,
So there should be plenty of flavors!
Since everyone requires grooming, there should be an abundance of different meat flavors available
How gratifying for once to know
That those above will serve those down below!
It is satisfying to see the higher class individuals being figuratively served by the lower class
Now let's see, here... We've got tinker.
Now, let's consider another profession, such as a tinker
Something... pinker.
Perhaps something with a slightly pink color
Tailor?
What about a tailor?
Paler.
With a paler complexion
Butler?
Maybe a butler?
Subtler.
With a more delicate taste
Potter?
Or a potter?
Hotter.
With a spicier flavor
Locksmith?
What about a locksmith?
Lovely bit of clerk.
Meat from a clerk would be quite delightful
Maybe for a lark.
Perhaps, just for fun
Then again there's sweep
If you want it cheap
And you like it dark!
Alternatively, consider using meat from a chimney sweep if you're on a budget and prefer a richer taste
Try the financier,
Peak of his career!
Consider using meat from a wealthy financier, who is currently at the height of his success
That looks pretty rank.
However, that meat appears to be of low quality or unpleasant
Well, he drank,
It's a bank
Cashier.
Since the meat comes from a cashier at a bank, it might have absorbed a lot of alcohol
Never really sold.
Maybe it was old.
The meat from this cashier was probably not in high demand and might have been aged
Have you any Beadle?
Do you have any meat from a Beadle?
Next week, so I'm told!
It will be available next week, or so I've been informed
Beadle isn't bad till you smell it and
Notice 'ow well it's been greased...
The meat from a Beadle is not unpleasant until you detect the odor and realize how excessively greasy it is
Stick to priest!
Therefore, it's better to stick with meat from a clergyman
Now then, this might be a little bit stringy,
But then of course it's... fiddle player!
This meat might be a bit tough, but it's likely from a fiddle player
No, this isn't fiddle player -- it's piccolo player!
Actually, this meat is not from a fiddle player but from a piccolo player
'Ow can you tell?
How can you distinguish between them?
It's piping hot!
It's extremely hot and fresh
Then blow on it first!
In that case, you should blow on it to cool it down
The history of the world, my sweet --
Oh, Mr. Todd,
Ooh, Mr. Todd,
What does it tell?
The history of the world can be summarized as a cyclical pattern of consumption and serving
Is who gets eaten, and who gets to eat!
It's about the individuals who are consumed and those who have the privilege to consume
And, Mr. Todd,
Too, Mr. Todd,
Who gets to sell!
Furthermore, it's about who gets the opportunity to sell the meat
But fortunately, it's also clear
That [L: But] ev'rybody goes down well with beer!
Luckily, everyone's meat tastes good and pairs well with beer
Since marine doesn't appeal to you, 'ow about... rear admiral?
If you're not interested in marine meat, what do you think of using the meat of a rear admiral?
Too salty. I prefer general.
Rear admiral meat is too salty, so I would rather have meat from a general
With, or without his privates? "With" is extra.
Should the meat include the private parts of the general? There would be an additional charge for that
What is that?
What type of meat is that?
It's fop.
Finest in the shop.
It's meat from a fop, which is considered the best quality available
And we have some shepherd's pie peppered
With actual shepherd on top!
We also have shepherd's pie that is seasoned with real shepherd meat on top
And I've just begun --
Here's the politician, so oily
It's served with a doily,
Have one!
And I've only just started! Here's a politician's meat that is incredibly slick and fancy, even served with a decorative paper doily. Try it!
Put it on a bun.
Well, you never know if it's going to run!
Serve it on a bun. You never know if it might try to escape!
Try the friar,
Fried, it's drier!
Sample the meat from a friar. When fried, it becomes less moist
No, the clergy is really
Too coarse and too mealy!
However, the meat from the clergy is too rough and grainy in texture
Then actor,
That's compacter!
Instead, consider using meat from an actor. It has a denser consistency
Yes, and always arrives overdone!
Yes, and it is often cooked for too long, resulting in it being overly well-done
I'll come again when you have JUDGE on the menu!
I will return when you have meat from a judge available
Wait! True, we don't have judge yet,
But we've got something you might fancy even better.
Hold on! It's true that we don't have judge meat at the moment, but we have something even more enticing to offer
What's that?
What do you have?
Executioner!
It's meat from an executioner
Have charity towards the world, my pet!
Let us show kindness or forgiveness to the world
Yes, yes, I know, my love!
Yes, I understand what you mean
We'll take the customers that we can get!
We'll accept any customers who come our way
High-born and low, my love!
Regardless of their social standing
We'll not discriminate great from small!
We will treat everyone equally, regardless of their status
No, we'll serve anyone,
Meaning anyone,
Absolutely, we will serve anyone and everyone
And to anyone
At all!
To every individual, without exception
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tom
If you still can sing Sondheim at that ages..you're an artist.
Benjamin Stone
What a couple of legends. RIP, Angela! There will be never another Lovett like you.
Sam Primera
I SO wanted to see her in it.
Donnagata1409
@Sam Primera I've seen them (not live, on DVD). They were wonderful!!!
Sam Primera
@Donnagata1409 You're so right."They".I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to play against Angela but Len Cariou.
Mervyn Greene
I saw them live completely by accident. I was in NYC on spring break. A friend told me that she had gotten two tickets for the new Angela Lansbury musical. She said that I was the only one in the group who would appreciate it.
I went in expecting something like "Mame." We were dead center in the balcony. I was blown away!
Sam Primera
@Mervyn Greene awesome!
Christian Krenek
A lot of people have been rightly called Broadway stars. But very few can truly said to be Broadway legends and this video shows two of them. Keep in mind that this event was twenty-six years after the original production of "Sweeney Todd." But Dame Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou walk out and, in a matter of seconds, ARE Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett again. All Dame Angela does is adjust her posture, and she's an evil baker. Len Cariou lets out one sinister laugh and he's Sweeney (but I think my favorite moment is when Dame Angela makes him break before the last verse and he has to take a few seconds to control his giggles!). They nail every joke, every line, every note. We're so lucky that we have recordings of this amazing performance. Thank you for everything, Dame Angela. You're making them applaud in Heaven now...
Fromm
Beautifully stated!!!!
Jessica Lillian Weinberg
@Fromm I hear that a DVD was made of Sweeney Todd - with Angela, but with George Hearn as Todd? I wonder why Cariou wasn't in that?