A Little Priest
Helena Bonham Carter & Johnny Depp Lyrics

Seems a downright shame...
It's a pity and unfortunate...

Seems an awful waste...
It's such a waste and loss...

Such a nice, plump frame
Referring to a human body that is good for consumption...

Wot's 'is name has...
The person's name mentioned earlier...

Had...
As in, the person is not alive anymore...

Has!
Referring to the preserved body still being usable...

Nor it can't be traced...
Impossible to track down or identify...

Bus'ness needs a lift,
The business needs improvement or a boost...

Debts to be erased...
Referring to financial obligations that need to be cleared...

Think of it as thrift,
Thinking of it as a way to save or be resourceful...

As a gift,
Considering it as a blessing or advantage...

If you get my drift!
If you understand what I mean or the implication behind it!

No?
Asking for confirmation or agreement...

I mean, with the price of meat What it is, When you get it, If you get it...
Referring to the high cost and availability of meat...

Good, you got it!
Expressing satisfaction that the listener understands...

Take, for instance, Mrs. Mooney and her pie shop!
Providing an example of someone else in the same business...

Bus'ness never better using only pussycats and toast!
The pie shop is doing well by using unconventional ingredients...

And a pussy's good for maybe six or seven at the most!
Stating the limited number of cats available...

And I'm sure they can't compare as far as taste!
Implying that human flesh is superior in flavor...

Mrs. Lovett, what a charming notion
Appreciating the idea suggested by Mrs. Lovett...

Well, it does seem a waste...
Admitting that it is indeed a waste...

Eminently practical
Highly practical and useful...

And yet appropriate as always!
Suitable and fitting in every situation...

It's an idea...
Considering it as a concept worth exploring...

Mrs. Lovett, how I've lived Without you all these years, I'll never know!
Expressing how incomplete life has been without Mrs. Lovett's presence...

How delectable! Also undetectable!
Highlighting the deliciousness and lack of traceability...

Think about it!
Encouraging further contemplation on the idea...

Lots of other gentlemen'll Soon be comin' for a shave, Won't they? Think of All them Pies!
Anticipating an influx of customers and the resulting increase in pie sales...

How choice! How Rare!
Describing the uniqueness and desirability of the situation...

For what's the sound of the world out there?
Posing a rhetorical question about the sounds of the world...

What, Mr. Todd? What, Mr. Todd? What is that sound?
Seeking Mr. Todd's acknowledgment of the sounds being referred to...

Those crunching noises pervading the air!
Referring to the sounds of people consuming each other...

Yes, Mr. Todd! Yes, Mr. Todd! Yes, all around!
Confirming that the sounds are indeed occurring everywhere...

It's man devouring man, my dear!
Revealing the cruel nature of humanity and survival instinct...

And [LOVETT: Then] who are we to deny it in here?
Questioning the moral stance of preventing cannibalism in their own establishment...

These are desperate times, Mrs. Lovett, and desperate measures are called for!
Highlighting the urgency and necessity of extreme actions...

Here we are, now! Hot out of the oven!
Introducing the freshly baked food to be served...

What is that?
Asking for clarification on the specific dish...

It's priest. Have a little priest.
Referring to a cooked clergyman and offering it to Mr. Todd...

Is it really good?
Inquiring about the quality and taste of the dish...

Sir, it's too good, at least!
Expressing that the dish is of exceptional quality...

Then again, they don't commit sins of the flesh, So it's pretty fresh.
Highlighting the purity and freshness of the meat from clergymen...

Awful lot of fat.
Observing the excessive amount of fat in the dish...

Only where it sat.
Revealing that the fat is only present on the areas where it was stored...

Haven't you got poet, or something like that?
Asking if there are other types of people available...

No, y'see, the trouble with poet is 'Ow do you know it's deceased? Try the priest!
Explaining that poets are not reliable as their death cannot be confirmed, implying the preference for clergymen...

Heavenly! Not as hearty as bishop, perhaps, But then again, not as bland as curate, either!
Expressing satisfaction and comparing the taste of different clergymen...

And good for business, too -- always leaves you wantin' more!
Highlighting the positive impact on the business and the desire for repeat customers...

Trouble is, we only get it on Sundays!
Mentioning the limited availability of clergyman meat...

Lawyer's rather nice.
Commenting on the taste and quality of lawyer meat...

If it's for a price.
Conditioning that the lawyer meat is only available for a price...

Order something else, though, to follow, Since no one should swallow it twice!
Suggesting that customers should order a different dish after lawyer meat to avoid repetition...

Anything that's lean.
Referring to meat that has less fat...

Well, then, if you're British and loyal, You might enjoy Royal Marine!
Suggesting a meat option specifically for patriotic British individuals...

Anyway, it's clean. Though of course, it tastes of wherever it's been!
Highlighting the cleanliness of the meat while acknowledging that its taste may be influenced by its origin...

Is that squire, On the fire?
Asking if a certain meat being cooked is that of a wealthy landowner...

Mercy no, sir, look closer, You'll notice it's grocer!
Correcting the assumption by revealing that the meat is from a grocer...

Looks thicker, More like vicar!
Comparing the appearance of the meat to that of a clergyman...

No, it has to be grocer -- It's green!
Asserting that the meat is indeed from a grocer and explaining its green color due to the preservation process...

The history of the world, my love -- Save a lot of graves, Do a lot of relatives favors!
Reflecting on the impact of cannibalism throughout history and the benefits it brings...

Is those below serving those up above!
Describing a hierarchy where the lower class serves the upper class as food...

Ev'rybody shaves, So there should be plenty of flavors!
Observing that everyone needs or undergoes shaving, implying the availability of a variety of meat options...

How gratifying for once to know
Expressing satisfaction in having this knowledge or perspective...

That those above will serve those down below!
Highlighting the reversal of roles where the upper class becomes the food for the lower class...

Now let's see, here... We've got tinker.
Listing another profession that can be used as meat...

Something... pinker.
Suggesting a meat that is pinker in color...

Tailor?
Asking if there are any tailors available as meat...

Paler.
Referring to a meat option that is paler in appearance...

Butler?
Inquiring about the possibility of using butlers as meat...

Subtler.
Describing a meat that is more subtle or refined in taste...

Potter?
Asking if there are any potters available as meat...

Hotter.
Suggesting a meat option that is hotter in temperature...

Locksmith?
Inquiring if there are any locksmiths available as meat...

Lovely bit of clerk.
Referring to a meat option that used to be a clerk and is considered desirable...

Maybe for a lark.
Considering the clerk meat as a choice for fun or amusement...

Then again there's sweep If you want it cheap And you like it dark!
Suggesting a cheaper meat option that is from a chimney sweep, appealing to those who prefer darker meat...

Try the financier, Peak of his career!
Suggesting a meat option that used to be a wealthy financier and is considered a delicacy...

That looks pretty rank.
Commenting on the questionable appearance of the meat option...

Well, he drank, It's a bank Cashier.
Explaining the origin of the meat as a cashed-up bank cashier...

Never really sold. Maybe it was old.
Speculating that the meat may not have been popular for sale due to its age or quality...

Have you any Beadle?
Asking if there are any Beadles available as meat...

Next week, so I'm told!
Informing that Beadle meat will be available in the near future...

Beadle isn't bad till you smell it and Notice 'ow well it's been greased...
Accepting that Beadle meat may not be desirable when its odor and preparation method are considered...

Stick to priest!
Advising Mr. Todd to focus on using clergyman meat instead...

Now then, this might be a little bit stringy, But then of course it's... fiddle player!
Introducing a meat option that may have a tougher texture but is from a fiddle player...

No, this isn't fiddle player -- it's piccolo player!
Correcting the initial identification of the meat and revealing it to be from a piccolo player...

'Ow can you tell?
Asking for clarification on how to distinguish between fiddle player and piccolo player meat...

It's piping hot!
Describing the current temperature and freshness of the meat...

Then blow on it first!
Suggesting that Mr. Todd should cool down the meat by blowing on it...

The history of the world, my sweet -- Oh, Mr. Todd, Ooh, Mr. Todd, What does it tell?
Reflecting on the historical context of cannibalism and expressing curiosity about the lessons it holds...

Is who gets eaten, and who gets to eat!
Identifying the two roles in cannibalism: the ones being eaten and the ones doing the consuming...

And, Mr. Todd, Too, Mr. Todd, Who gets to sell!
Recognizing the economic aspect of cannibalism, specifically the selling of the meat...

But fortunately, it's also clear That [L: But] ev'rybody goes down well with beer!
Acknowledging the compatibility of cannibalism with the consumption of beer and the satisfaction it brings...

Since marine doesn't appeal to you, 'ow about... rear admiral?
Suggesting a meat option of a rear admiral as an alternative to marine meat...

Too salty. I prefer general.
Rejecting rear admiral meat due to its saltiness and expressing a preference for general meat...

With, or without his privates? 'With' is extra.
Offering the option of including or excluding the privates of the general, with an additional charge for including them...

What is that?
Asking for clarification on the specific meat being mentioned...

It's fop. Finest in the shop.
Identifying the meat as from a fop and proclaiming it to be the best available...

And we have some shepherd's pie peppered With actual shepherd on top!
Introducing a shepherd's pie that is seasoned with real shepherd meat...

And I've just begun -- Here's the politician, so oily... It's served with a doily, Have one!
Continuing to present meat options, starting with a politician that is served with a doily, and offering one to Mr. Todd...

Put it on a bun. Well, you never know if it's going to run!
Suggesting that Mr. Todd should consume the politician meat on a bun, as it may try to escape...

Try the friar, Fried, it's drier!
Suggesting a fried friar meat option that is less juicy in texture...

No, the clergy is really Too coarse and too mealy!
Rejecting the idea of using other types of clergymen as meat due to their unpleasant texture...

Then actor, That's compacter!
Suggesting the flesh of an actor as a meat option due to its compactness...

Yes, and always arrives overdone!
Confirming that actor meat is typically cooked longer, resulting in it being overdone...

I'll come again when you have JUDGE on the menu!
Indicating a preference for the meat of a judge and expressing intent to return when it is available...

Wait! True, we don't have judge yet, But we've got something you might fancy even better.
Acknowledging the absence of judge meat but offering an alternative that may be more appealing...

What's that?
Asking for clarification on the alternative meat option...

Executioner!
Revealing that the alternative meat option is the flesh of an executioner...

Have charity towards the world, my pet!
Encouraging compassion and understanding towards the circumstances of the world...

Yes, yes, I know, my love!
Acknowledging Mrs. Lovett's understanding and agreement...

We'll take the customers that we can get!
Accepting any customers that come their way...

High-born and low, my love!
Referring to customers from varying social classes...

We'll not discriminate great from small!
Stating that they will not differentiate between customers based on their status or wealth...

No, we'll serve anyone, Meaning anyone!
Expressing their willingness to serve anyone, with emphasis on the word 'anyone'...

And to anyone At all!
Affirming that their services are open to all individuals without exception...