She is married to Matthew Cowles (1983 - present) with 2 daughters, Lily (b. 1987) and Isabel (b. 1984).
Careful My Toe
Christine Baranski Lyrics
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And Florinda's foot into her own hands
Careful, my toe!
Darling, I know
What do we do?
It'll have to go
But when you're his bride
You'll never have to walk!
Aaah!
Minus one toe, Florinda mounted the Prince's horse
Unaware of the blood dripping from the slipper
Lucinda was next
Why won't it fit?
Darling, be still
Cut off a bit of the heel and it will
And when you're his wife
You'll have such a life
You'll never need to walk!
Aaah!
Minus a heel, Lucinda did her best to swallow the pain
It's a perfect fit, Your Highness
The given lyrics are from the song "Careful My Toe" by Christine Baranski, Tammy Blanchard, and Lucy Punch. These lyrics are about the Cinderella story where the stepmother resorts to mutilating the feet of her daughters to make them fit in the glass slipper. The prince is anxiously waiting for the love of his life and the step-mother is taking matters into her own hands by cutting off Florinda's toe. Florinda is in pain but has no other option but to sit on the horse as she cannot walk anymore. The other sister, Lucinda, also goes through the same process where her heel has to be cut off to fit in the glass slipper. The lyrics emphasize how the sisters are willing to go to great lengths to marry the prince and live a life of luxury without any regard for themselves.
The lyrics of the song are dark and humorous at the same time. The stepmother and Florinda's conversation are sung in a comedic tone despite the fact that Florinda's toe is being cut off. Similarly, when Lucinda's heel is cut off, the humorous tone continues. These kinds of lyrics are not common in musical theater and thus make "Careful My Toe" an interesting song. Also, the song addresses a social issue that people may do anything to gain power and money, but this may not always lead to happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
As the Prince anxiously waited, the stepmother took matters
The stepmother took control of the situation as the Prince waited nervously.
And Florinda's foot into her own hands
The stepmother examined Florinda's foot carefully.
Careful, my toe!
Florinda warned the stepmother to be careful with her toe.
Darling, I know
The stepmother reassured Florinda that she knew what she was doing.
What do we do?
Florinda asked the stepmother what their next step was.
It'll have to go
The stepmother decided that Florinda's toe had to be amputated.
But when you're his bride
The stepmother promised Florinda that she wouldn't need to walk when she became the Prince's bride.
You can sit or ride
The stepmother told Florinda she could sit or ride when she was married to the Prince.
You'll never have to walk!
The stepmother emphasized that Florinda wouldn't ever have to walk again.
Minus one toe, Florinda mounted the Prince's horse
Florinda rode the Prince's horse after having her toe amputated.
Unaware of the blood dripping from the slipper
Florinda didn't realize that her slipper was soaked in blood from the amputation.
Lucinda was next
The stepmother turned to Lucinda as the next daughter to prepare.
Why won't it fit?
Lucinda couldn't get the shoe to fit properly.
Darling, be still
The stepmother tried to calm Lucinda down.
Cut off a bit of the heel and it will
The stepmother decided to cut off part of Lucinda's heel to make the shoe fit.
And when you're his wife
The stepmother promised Lucinda that she wouldn't need to walk when she was married to the Prince.
You'll have such a life
The stepmother promised Lucinda a life of luxury and ease.
You'll never need to walk!
The stepmother emphasized that Lucinda wouldn't ever have to walk again.
Minus a heel, Lucinda did her best to swallow the pain
Lucinda tried to ignore the pain from having part of her heel amputated.
It's a perfect fit, Your Highness
The shoe finally fit, and Lucinda presented it to the Prince.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind