Topsy Turvy
Chorus/Paul Kandel Lyrics
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Leave your loops and milking stools
Coop the hens and pen the mules
Come one, come all
Close the churches and the schools
It's the day for breaking rules
Come and join the feast of
Fools!
Once a year we throw a party here in town
Once a year we turn all Paris upside down
Every man's a king and every king's a clown
Once again it's topsy turvy day
It's the day the devil in us gets released
It's the day we mock the prig and shock the priest
Everything is topsy turvy at the feast of fools
Topsy turvy
Everything is upsy daysy
Topsy turvy
Everyone is acting crazy
Dross is gold and and weeds are a bouquet
That's the way on topsy turvy day
Topsy turvy
Beat the drums and blow the trumpets
Topsy turvy
Join the bums and thieves and strumpets
Streaming in from Chartres to Calais
Scurvy knaves are extra scurvy
On the sixth of January
All because it's topsy turvy day
Come one, come all
Hurry, hurry here's your chance
See the mystery and romance
Come one, come all
See the finest girl in France
Make an entrance to entrance
Dance, la Esmeralda
Dance!
Here it is, the moment you've been waiting for
Here it is, you know exactly what's in store
Now's the time we laugh until our sides get sore
Now's the time we crown the King of Fools
You all remember last year's king?
So make a face that's horrible and frightening
Make a face as gruesome as a gargoyle's wing
For the face that's ugliest will be the King of Fools
Why?
Topsy turvy!
Ugly folks, forget your shyness
Topsy turvy!
You could soon be called Your Highness
Put your foulest features on display
Be the king of topsy turvy day
Everybody!
Once a year we throw a party here in town
Hail to the king
Once a year we turn all Paris upside down
Oh, what a king!
Once a year the ugliest will wear a crown
Girls, give a kiss!
Once a year on topsy turvy day
We've never had a king like this
And it's the day we do the things that we deplore
On the other three hundred and sixty-four
Once a year we love to drop in
Where the beer is never stoppin'
For the chance to pop some popinjay
And pick a king who'll put the top
In Topsy Turvy
Topsy turvy
Mad and crazy, upsy daysy, Topsy Turvy Day!
The song Topsy Turvy from the movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a celebration of a day called the Feast of Fools, where everything is turned upside down: churches and schools are closed, and people are encouraged to break rules, mock authority figures, and behave in a generally topsy-turvy way. The song invites listeners to join the festivities and leave behind their ordinary lives, as well as their "loops and milking stools," which suggests the day is meant to be a break from the routine of work and everyday life. Additionally, the song emphasizes the idea of social hierarchies being upended, as "every man's a king and every king's a clown." The celebration is also an opportunity to celebrate and embrace ugliness and imperfection. The lyrics to Topsy Turvy are full of energy and excitement, matched by the music's fast-paced rhythm, upbeat melody, and prominent drum and trumpet parts.
Line by Line Meaning
Come one, come all
Everyone is invited
Leave your loops and milking stools
Forget about your daily chores
Coop the hens and pen the mules
Put the animals away
Close the churches and the schools
Stop the usual routine
It's the day for breaking rules
Rules are meant to be broken today
Come and join the feast of Fools!
Celebrate with us
Once a year we throw a party here in town
This event only happens annually
Once a year we turn all Paris upside down
We cause chaos in Paris today
Every man's a king and every king's a clown
Everyone is treated equally
Once again it's topsy turvy day
Today is Topsy Turvy Day
It's the day the devil in us gets released
Our mischievous side comes out today
It's the day we mock the prig and shock the priest
We make fun of the serious and shock the religious
Everything is topsy turvy at the feast of fools
The usual order is reversed
Topsy turvy
Upside down
Everything is upsy daysy
Everything's a mess
Everyone is acting crazy
Everyone is behaving irresponsibly
Dross is gold and and weeds are a bouquet
Ugly things are beautiful today
That's the way on topsy turvy day
This is how it's supposed to be today
Beat the drums and blow the trumpets
Make some noise!
Join the bums and thieves and strumpets
All are welcome
Streaming in from Chartres to Calais
People are coming from all over France
Scurvy knaves are extra scurvy
Bad people are worse today
On the sixth of January
This happens on January 6th
All because it's topsy turvy day
This is why Topsy Turvy Day exists
Hurry, hurry here's your chance
Don't miss out
See the mystery and romance
Experience the excitement
See the finest girl in France
Watch the beautiful Esmeralda
Make an entrance to entrance
Stand out and impress
Dance, la Esmeralda Dance!
Esmeralda is dancing
Here it is, the moment you've been waiting for
This is the climax
Here it is, you know exactly what's in store
You know what's going to happen
Now's the time we laugh until our sides get sore
Let's have fun and laugh
Now's the time we crown the King of Fools
It's time to choose the ugliest person as the King of Fools
You all remember last year's king?
Do you remember last year's winner?
So make a face that's horrible and frightening
Make an ugly face
Make a face as gruesome as a gargoyle's wing
Be creative with your ugliness
For the face that's ugliest will be the King of Fools
The ugliest face will win
Ugly folks, forget your shyness
Don't be embarrassed of your looks
You could soon be called Your Highness
You might be the winner!
Put your foulest features on display
Show off your ugly features
Be the king of topsy turvy day
Be the ultimate winner
Hail to the king
Congratulations to the winner
Girls, give a kiss!
Girls, kiss the new king!
We've never had a king like this
This year's winner is unique
And it's the day we do the things that we deplore
We do things we normally disagree with today
On the other three hundred and sixty-four
Everyday is not like today
Once a year we love to drop in
We eagerly anticipate today
Where the beer is never stoppin'
Where there is a lot of beer
For the chance to pop some popinjay
For the opportunity to ridicule someone important
And pick a king who'll put the top in
And decide who will win today
Mad and crazy, upsy daysy, Topsy Turvy Day!
Today is madness and craziness!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALAN MENKEN, STEPHEN LAURENCE SCHWARTZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind