Perfect Nanny
Disney Lyrics


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Jane Banks:
[Spoken]
Wanted a nanny for two adorable children

[Sung]
If you want this choice position
Have a cheery disposition
Rosy cheeks, no warts!
Play games, all sort

You must be kind, you must be witty
Very sweet and fairly pretty
Take us on outings, give us treats
Sing songs, bring sweets

Never be cross or cruel
Never give us castor oil or gruel
Love us as a son and daughter
And never smell of barley water

If you won't scold and dominate us
We will never give you cause to hate us
We won't hide your spectacles
So you can't see
Put toads in your bed
Or pepper in your tea
Hurry, Nanny!
Many thanks
Sincerely,





Jane and Michael Banks:
Jane and Michael Banks.

Overall Meaning

The song "Perfect Nanny" from Disney's Mary Poppins serves as a job advertisement for a nanny position in the Banks household. Jane Banks takes the lead in reciting the job requirements, making it clear what qualities and behaviors she expects from their new nanny. The lyrics emphasize the need for a positive attitude, kindness, and a playful demeanor. The nanny must take the children on outings, sing songs, and provide treats. However, the song also includes a warning to the nanny to never be cross, never be cruel, and never give them castor oil or gruel. The song ends with Jane and Michael Banks thanking the nanny in advance for taking the job, assuring her that they will never cause her any trouble.


The song "Perfect Nanny" is not only a fun and catchy tune, but it also serves as an essential part of the movie's plot. The Banks children sing the song in hopes of finding the perfect nanny, and that is when Mary Poppins shows up for the interview, ultimately getting the job. The song highlights the importance of finding the right nanny and how it can have a significant impact on the children's well-being.


Line by Line Meaning

If you want this choice position
If you desire to become our nanny


Have a cheery disposition
Be happy and optimistic around the children


Rosy cheeks, no warts!
Have a healthy, attractive appearance


Play games, all sort
Engage in various games and activities with us


You must be kind, you must be witty
You need to be both nice and smart


Very sweet and fairly pretty
Be loving and somewhat attractive


Take us on outings, give us treats
Take us on adventures and give us goodies


Sing songs, bring sweets
Sing to us and give us treats


Never be cross or cruel
Never be angry or mean to us


Never give us castor oil or gruel
Don't force us to take unpleasant medicine or food


Love us as a son and daughter
Treat us with parental love and care


And never smell of barley water
Don't have a bad smell, like that of barley water


If you won't scold and dominate us
If you won't yell at us or control us


We will never give you cause to hate us
We will always behave well and never make you dislike us


We won't hide your spectacles
We won't hide your glasses


So you can't see
To prevent you from being able to see


Put toads in your bed
Place frogs in your bed as a prank


Or pepper in your tea
Mix hot spices in your tea as a joke


Hurry, Nanny!
Come quickly, Nanny!


Many thanks
Thank you very much


Sincerely, Jane and Michael Banks
With kind regards, Jane and Michael Banks




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@robynwhyte7748

Wanted a nanny for two adorable children

If you want this choice position
Have a cheery disposition
Rosy cheeks, no warts
Play games, all sorts

You must be kind, you must be witty
Very sweet and fairly pretty
Take us on outings, give us treats
Sing songs, bring sweets

Never be cross or cruel
Never give us Castor oil or gruel
Love us as a son and daughter
And never smell of barley water

If you won't scold and dominate us
We will never give you cause to hate us
We won't hide your spectacles, so you can't see
Put toads in your bed or pepper in your tea

Hurry nanny, many thanks
Sincerely, Jane and Michael Banks



@HiThere-tl1wi

If you want this choice position
Have a cheery disposition
Rosy cheeks, no warts
[That's the part I put in!]
Play games, all sort
You must be kind, you must be witty
Very sweet and fairly pretty
Take us on outings, give us treats
Sing songs, bring sweets
Never be cross or cruel
Never give us castor oil or gruel
Love us as a son and daughter
And never smell of barley water
[I put that in too!]
If you won't scold and dominate us
We will never give you cause to hate us
We won't hide your spectacles so you can't see
Put toads in your bed or pepper in your tea
Hurry, Nanny
Many thanks
Sincerely
Jane and Michael Banks



@annaniu5693

Lyrics


If you want this choice position
Have a cheery disposition
Rosy cheeks, no warts!
Play games, all sort
You must be kind, you must be witty
Very sweet and fairly pretty
Take us on outings, give us treats
Sing songs, bring sweets
Never be cross or cruel
Never give us castor oil or gruel
Love us as a son and daughter
And never smell of barley water
If you won't scold and dominate us
We will never give you cause to hate us
We won't hide your spectacles
So you can't see
Put toads in your bed
Or pepper in your tea
Hurry, Nanny!
Many thanks
Sincerely,
Jane and Michael Banks:



All comments from YouTube:

@MayandPoppy

“If you won’t scold and dominate us, we will never give you cause to hate us.” :’) ❤️ I don’t know why, but that is my favorite line of the song. Jane and Michael weren’t bad children; they were actually quite kind and obedient. They were merely lonely and wanted to have some fun.

@kimquinn7728

Oatmeal. Wanted to feel loved. Affection. For the adults, mom and dad, to treat them as interesting as money or protesting or whatever new cause was in vogue.

@alking7655

That's essentially what the entire film is about, but that's the magic in multiple perspectives. Children see the literal interpretation, while the older you get, the more you realise, it's metaphorical for not necessarily what is wanted just in a nanny, but what they want from their own parents.

@markhenry6486

Scold and dominate ........ why my adult children dislike me.
My awful mistake.

@Shtickyaight

Fr

@rebeccahutchings5536

Did you know hate's a deadly sin (love)? Its actually quite worrying that there's a family acceptance of hate... to one day be finished with.

1 More Replies...

@Roxas09202

This is.

The cutest.

Thing.

EVER.

@catm.3428

Truuuu!!!

@craigcarter2889

Ferreteh so teue

@forrestkellogg8317

Isn't it?

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