The Miller's Son
D'Jamin Bartlett Lyrics
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Pin my hat on a nice piece of property.
Friday nights, for a bit of fun,
We'll go dancing.
Meanwhile...
It's a wink and a wiggle and a giggle in the grass
And I'll trip the light fandango,
It's a very short road
From the pinch and the punch
To the paunch and the pouch
And the pension.
It's a very short road
To the ten thousandth lunch
And the belch and the grouch
And the sigh.
In the meanwhile,
There are mouths to be kissed
Before mouths to be fed,
And a lot in between
In the meanwhile.
And a girl ought to celebrate what passes by.
Or I shall marry the businessman,
Five fat babies and lots of security.
Friday nights, if we think we can,
We'll go dancing.
Meanwhile...
It's a push and a fumble and a tumble in the sheets
And I'll foot the highland fancy,
A dip in the butter and a flutter with what meets my eye.
It's a very short fetch
From the push and the whoop
To the squint and the stoop
And the mumble.
It's not much of a stretch
To the cribs and the croup
And the bosoms that droop
And go dry.
In the meanwhile,
There are mouths to be kissed
Before mouths to be fed,
And there's many a tryst
And there's many a bed
To be sampled and seen
In the meanwhile.
And a girl has to celebrate what passes by.
Or I shall marry the Prince of Wales,
Pearls and servants and dressing for festivals.
Friday nights, with him all in tails,
We'll have dancing.
Meanwhile...
It's a rip in the bustle and a rustle in the hay
And I'll pitch the quick fantastic,
With flings of confetti and my petticoats away up high.
It's a very short way
From the fling that's for fun
To the thigh pressing un-
Der the table.
It's a very short day
Till you're stuck with just one
Or it has to be done
On the sly.
In the meanwhile,
There are mouths to be kissed
Before mouths to be fed,
And there's many a tryst
And there's many a bed,
There's a lot I'll have missed
But I'll not have been dead
When I die!
And a person should celebrate everything
Passing by.
And I shall marry the miller's son...
The lyrics to D'Jamin Bartlett's song "The Miller's Son" explore the idea of choice and opportunity through the lens of love and relationships. The singer presents three different possible futures for herself - marrying the miller's son for a simple life, marrying a wealthy businessman for security, or marrying the Prince of Wales for extravagance. However, the lyrics suggest that regardless of the choice made, life will still have its challenges and unexpected twists and turns, and that it's important to embrace and celebrate the present moment.
The first verse describes the singer marrying the miller's son and settling down on a property, but still leaving room for enjoyment and dancing on Friday nights. The following verses describe the other two possible futures, with playful and suggestive language about intimacy and sexual exploration. However, the chorus remains the same throughout - a reminder that there are "mouths to be kissed" and experiences to be had in the present, and that celebrating everything that passes by is important.
Overall, the lyrics to "The Miller's Son" offer a bittersweet reflection on the choices we make and the paths we take in life, with an emphasis on living in the moment and enjoying what we have while we can.
Line by Line Meaning
I shall marry the miller's son,
I will marry the miller's son and secure myself some property and financial stability.
Pin my hat on a nice piece of property.
I desire to have a comfortable life by owning property, and I believe marrying the miller's son will provide me with that.
Friday nights, for a bit of fun, We'll go dancing.
My future spouse and I will have some fun and go dancing on Friday nights. It will be a way of bonding and enjoying each other's company.
Meanwhile...
After stating my intentions, I recognize that there are other things taking place, and I must also ensure that I lead a fulfilling life in the meantime.
It's a wink and a wiggle and a giggle in the grass
And I'll trip the light fandango,
A pinch and a diddle in the middle of what passes by.
It's a very short road
From the pinch and the punch
To the paunch and the pouch
And the pension.
It's a very short road
To the ten thousandth lunch
And the belch and the grouch
And the sigh.
While waiting for marriage, there are simple pleasures and moments that I will enjoy such as dancing, laughing, and enjoying the company of others. However, time passes by quickly and before I know it, I will be old, retired, and will have missed out on so much.
In the meanwhile,
There are mouths to be kissed
Before mouths to be fed,
And a lot in between
In the meanwhile.
And a girl ought to celebrate what passes by.
While waiting for marriage, there are still other things to enjoy such as kissing and exploring physical intimacy. As a young girl, I should celebrate and enjoy these moments while they are still present.
Or I shall marry the businessman,
Five fat babies and lots of security.
Friday nights, if we think we can,
We'll go dancing.
Meanwhile...
Alternatively, I could marry a wealthy businessman who will provide me with children and financial security. We may go dancing on Fridays for fun but, even in this case, I recognize that I must find ways to enjoy myself while waiting.
It's a push and a fumble and a tumble in the sheets
And I'll foot the highland fancy,
A dip in the butter and a flutter with what meets my eye.
While trying to enjoy myself before marriage, I may explore events such as sex, especially in one-night stands, and fancy events where I can dress up.
It's a very short fetch
From the push and the whoop
To the squint and the stoop
And the mumble.
It's not much of a stretch
To the cribs and the croup
And the bosoms that droop
And go dry.
These little moments, however, are short-lived and very soon turn into unpleasant experiences, such as aging and the difficulty that comes with raising children.
In the meanwhile,
There are mouths to be kissed
Before mouths to be fed,
And there's many a tryst
And there's many a bed
To be sampled and seen
In the meanwhile.
Even though things can turn unpleasant quickly, I recognize that life needs to be enjoyed, and I should explore my interests such as socializing and exploring my sexuality until I find someone to settle down with.
And a girl has to celebrate what passes by.
Regardless of what path a young girl chooses, she should find ways to enjoy life as it passes by.
Or I shall marry the Prince of Wales,
Pearls and servants and dressing for festivals.
Friday nights, with him all in tails,
We'll have dancing.
Meanwhile...
As a third alternative, I could marry the Prince of Wales and enjoy a life of luxury - pearls, servants, festivals, etc.
It's a rip in the bustle and a rustle in the hay
And I'll pitch the quick fantastic,
With flings of confetti and my petticoats away up high.
If I married royalty, I would spend my time having glorious experiences such as tearing my clothes accidentally and participating in celebratory events.
It's a very short way
From the fling that's for fun
To the thigh pressing un-
Der the table.
It's a very short day
Till you're stuck with just one
Or it has to be done
On the sly.
However, playful moments, quick flings, and otherwise lighthearted experiences can transform into something serious such as committed relationships or affairs that must be hidden.
There's a lot I'll have missed
But I'll not have been dead
When I die!
Despite the various paths I could take in life, I accept that I may lose out on various experiences but, one thing is for certain, living is better than death.
And a person should celebrate everything
Passing by.
People should enjoy life and all that it brings.
Contributed by Hunter N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@djaminbartlett8679
I want to thank everyone for your very kind words regarding my performance of the Miller's Son. I went into the Broadway show with 2 performances from Boston, and a Monday and Tuesday rehearsal Opening for Critics on Tuesday night. It was and remains an amazing experience. Thank you for remembering me so kindly.
@vinista256
I was inspired by your performance on the cast recording to audition for the role of Petra in college 40 years ago. I got the part, but I’ll be the first to admit that I never did the song justice. You own it, and I think you always will. Wish we could have heard you in more shows!
@tadimaggio
To Djamin Bartlett:
I saw you in "A Little Night Music" in October 1973. Your performance of "The Miller's Son" was one of the MANY elements in that evening -- musical, verbal, and visual -- that I will never forget: Tharon Musser's exquisite moonlight setting for the opening waltz, Glynis Johns' stunning red gown, Hermione Gingold's voice trembling with feeling when she recalled a failed love affair from her youth, and said "Who knows? He might have been the love of my life." You should feel enormous pride at having helped to create a glorious production of a masterwork by one of America's premier theatrical artists.
@nessapainter
I was privileged to see Ms. Bartlett perform this song in A Little Night Music on Broadway. She was superb and hers is still the best interpretation of this wonderful song I've ever heard. Thank you !!
@rugby8-Philadelphia
I remember so clearly seeing her do this in NY...Spring 74 I believe. Her voice just Filled the theatre! Such a big sound, and in incredibly engaging actress!
😎😎😎
@nickgraham25
Thanks for this! Though this is slightly slower tempo than the recording -- she was perfect! No one has ever sung this better, and rarely as well.
@wj1984
My favorite Sondheim song, possibly my favorite showtune, period. I had no idea this existed. I've listened to every recording I can find and no one compares to her. Thank you so much!
@richardmayora1289
I worked on the show which was supposed to be her comeback....Tallulah. She was marvelous but the show did not open and was done a year later with Helen Gallagher...who was WAAAY too old. The last night of rehearsal I turned to D'Jamin and said "Oh no. And I never got the chance to ask you to sing The Miller's Son and she just cracked up. So talented.
@tadimaggio
When "A Little Night Music" premiered on Broadway in 1973, the critic for "Newsweek", comparing it to the other shows of that season, called it "an emerald in a box of gooseberries". The only thing that would have made it absolutely perfect would have been if Sondheim's glorious score had been performed in tandem with Ingmar Bergman's script from "Smiles of a Summer Night", the film on which the musical was based. The Broadway libretto was much broader and brasher than the soaring poetry of the music and lyrics (of which "The Miller's Son" is perhaps the best example). Among other things, Bergman's script contains one of my favorite exchanges in all film history. As Fredrik watches Desiree change out of her costume in her dressing room, he is momentarily awestruck by the beauty of her skin and figure. "How can a woman ever love a man?", he asks. Desiree flashes him the ultimate woman-of-the-world smile, and replies, "Women are seldom interested in aesthetics; and in the worst cases you can always turn off the light."
@steffeng40
Sadly, as you know, a musical book has to be precise and swift, and an attempt I witnessed to incorporate parts of the book, made the show rather tedious. This was so much the worse, because I had in a programme essay emphasized how much the musical was in the mold of the Nordic naturalist theatre tradition. I had become much too much so this time.