Small World
Imelda Staunton & Peter Davison Lyrics
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Funny,
You're a stranger who's come here,
Come from another town.
Funny, I'm a stranger myself here.
Small world, isn't it?
Funny, you're a man who goes traveling
Rather than settling down.
Small world, isn't it?
We have so much in common,
It's a phenomenon.
We could pool our resources
By joining forces from now on.
Lucky, you're a man who likes children.
That's an important sign.
Lucky, I'm a woman with children.
Small world, isn't it?
Funny, isn't it small and funny and fine?
Herbie
We have so much in common,
It's a phenomenon.
We could pool our resources
By joining forces from now on.
Momma Rose
Lucky, you're a man who likes children.
Herbie
That's an important sign.
Momma Rose
Lucky,
Herbie
You're a
Momma Rose & Herbie
Woman with children.
Small world, isn't it?
Momma Rose
Funny, isn't it
Herbie
Isn't it
Momma Rose & Herbie
Small and funny and fine?
The song "Small World" is a duet between two characters, Momma Rose and Herbie, from the musical "Gypsy". The song represents the instant connection made between two strangers and how they relate to each other in various aspects of life. The lyrics are written in a conversational style, where they exchange their personal interest, habits, and experiences. The song starts with Momma Rose saying funny, you're a stranger who's just arrived in town from somewhere else, and Herbie responding with a similar sentiment that he is a stranger too in this new place. They go on to say that it's a small world, and it's amusing how two strangers can have so much in common.
The song then focuses on their shared love for traveling and raising children, which they consider a sign of luck. They both have been traveling and wish to travel more even though Herbie is a man who likes children, and Momma Rose is a woman with children. The song represents how their similarities will enable them to pool their resources and join forces to start a new life together. The song ends on a positive note as they both express how lucky they are to have met each other and how funny, small, and fine the world is.
Line by Line Meaning
Momma Rose
Addressing the person she is speaking to
Funny,
Amusing but also unexpected and coincidental
You're a stranger who's come here,
You are unknown to me and have come from somewhere else to this place
Come from another town.
Your origin is from a different town than mine
Funny,
Once again, unexpected and coincidental
I'm a stranger myself here.
Although I live here, I feel like a stranger due to different circumstances
Small world, isn't it?
A common phrase used to describe how coincidental it is that they have met
Funny,
Once again, amusing and unexpected
you're a man who goes traveling
You are someone who enjoys traveling and exploring
Rather than settling down.
As opposed to staying in one place and forming roots
Funny,
Amusing and coincidental
'cause I'd love to go traveling.
She shares the same interest in traveling as the person she is speaking to
Small world, isn't it?
A common phrase used to describe how coincidental it is that they share the same interest in traveling
We have so much in common,
They share a lot of similar interests and characteristics
It's a phenomenon.
They are creating a rare and significant event by meeting each other
We could pool our resources
They could come together to share what they have
By joining forces from now on.
Since they have so much in common, they could work together towards their common interests
Lucky,
Fortunate
you're a man who likes children.
The person she is speaking to enjoys being around young people
That's an important sign.
She sees that as a positive characteristic
Lucky,
Fortunate
I'm a woman with children.
She has children of her own
Small world, isn't it?
A common phrase used to describe how coincidental it is that they both like being around children
Funny, isn't it small and funny and fine?
A humorous and coincidental way to sum up the situation they find themselves in
Herbie
The other speaker in the conversation
Lucky,
Fortunate
you're a man who likes children.
Restating what was previously said
We have so much in common,
Repetition of a previous line
It's a phenomenon.
Repetition of a previous line
We could pool our resources
Repetition of a previous line
By joining forces from now on.
Repetition of a previous line
Lucky,
Fortunate
you're a man who likes children.
Repetition of a previous line
That's an important sign.
Repetition of a previous line
Lucky,
Fortunate
You're a
Reiterating the gender of the other speaker
Woman with children.
Reiterating that the other speaker has children
Small world, isn't it?
Repetition of a previous line
Funny, isn't it
Repetition of a previous line
Small and funny and fine?
Repetition of a previous line
Writer(s): Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim
Contributed by Callie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.