A Little Priest
Johnny Depp Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

MRS. LOVETT:
Seems a downright shame...
TODD: Shame?
LOVETT:
Seems an awful waste...
Such a nice, plump frame
Wot's 'is name has...
Had...
Has!
Nor it can't be traced...
Bus'ness needs a lift,
Debts to be erased...
Think of it as thrift,
As a gift,
If you get my drift!

No?

Seems an awful waste...
I mean, with the price of meat
What it is,
When you get it,
If you get it...

TODD: HAH!
LOVETT:
Good, you got it!

Take, for instance, Mrs. Mooney and her pie shop!
Bus'ness never better using only pussycats and toast!
And a pussy's good for maybe six or seven at the most!
And I'm sure they can't compare as far as taste!

[Simultaneously]

TODD:
Mrs. Lovett, what a charming notion
LOVETT:
Well, it does seem a waste...

TODD:
Eminently practical
And yet appropriate as always!
LOVETT:
It's an idea...

TODD:
Mrs. Lovett, how I've lived
Without you all these years, I'll never know!
How delectable!
Also undetectable!
LOVETT:
Think about it!
Lots of other gentlemen'll
Soon be comin' for a shave,
Won't they?
Think of
All them
Pies!

TODD:
How choice!

How
Rare!

TODD:
For what's the sound of the world out there?
LOVETT:
What, Mr. Todd?
What, Mr. Todd?
What is that sound?
TODD:
Those crunching noises pervading the air!
LOVETT:
Yes, Mr. Todd!
Yes, Mr. Todd!
Yes, all around!
TODD:
It's man devouring man, my dear!
BOTH:
And [LOVETT: Then] who are we to deny it in here?

TODD: (spoken) These are desperate times,
Mrs. Lovett, and desperate measures are called for!
LOVETT: Here we are, now! Hot out of the oven!
TODD: What is that?

LOVETT:
It's priest. Have a little priest.
TODD:
Is it really good?
LOVETT:
Sir, it's too good, at least!
Then again, they don't commit sins of the flesh,
So it's pretty fresh.
TODD:
Awful lot of fat.
LOVETT:
Only where it sat.
TODD:
Haven't you got poet, or something like that?
LOVETT:
No, y'see, the trouble with poet is
'Ow do you know it's deceased?
Try the priest!

TODD: (spoken) Heavenly!
Not as hearty as bishop, perhaps,
But then again, not as bland as curate, either!

LOVETT:
And good for business, too -- always leaves you wantin' more!
Trouble is, we only get it on Sundays!

Lawyer's rather nice.
TODD:
If it's for a price.
LOVETT:
Order something else, though, to follow,
Since no one should swallow it twice!
TODD:
Anything that's lean.
LOVETT:
Well, then, if you're British and loyal,
You might enjoy Royal Marine!
Anyway, it's clean.
Though of course, it tastes of wherever it's been!
TODD:
Is that squire,
On the fire?
LOVETT:
Mercy no, sir, look closer,
You'll notice it's grocer!
TODD:
Looks thicker,
More like vicar!
LOVETT:
No, it has to be grocer --
It's green!

TODD:
The history of the world, my love --
LOVETT:
Save a lot of graves,
Do a lot of relatives favors!
TODD:
Is those below serving those up above!
LOVETT:
Ev'rybody shaves,
So there should be plenty of flavors!
TODD:
How gratifying for once to know
BOTH:
That those above will serve those down below!

LOVETT: (spoken) Now let's see, here... We've got tinker.
TODD: Something... pinker.
LOVETT: Tailor?
TODD: Paler.
LOVETT: Butler?
TODD: Subtler.
LOVETT: Potter?
TODD: Hotter.
LOVETT: Locksmith?

Lovely bit of clerk.
TODD:
Maybe for a lark.
LOVETT:
Then again there's sweep
If you want it cheap
And you like it dark!
Try the financier,
Peak of his career!
TODD:
That looks pretty rank.
LOVETT:
Well, he drank,
It's a bank
Cashier.
Never really sold.
Maybe it was old.
TODD:
Have you any Beadle?
LOVETT:
Next week, so I'm told!
Beadle isn't bad till you smell it and
Notice 'ow well it's been greased...
Stick to priest!

(spoken) Now then, this might be a little bit stringy,
But then of course it's... fiddle player!
TODD: No, this isn't fiddle player -- it's piccolo player!
LOVETT: 'Ow can you tell?
TODD: It's piping hot!
LOVETT: Then blow on it first!

TODD:
The history of the world, my sweet --
LOVETT:
Oh, Mr. Todd,
Ooh, Mr. Todd,
What does it tell?
TODD:
Is who gets eaten, and who gets to eat!
LOVETT:
And, Mr. Todd,
Too, Mr. Todd,
Who gets to sell!
TODD:
But fortunately, it's also clear
BOTH:
That [L: But] ev'rybody goes down well with beer!

LOVETT: (spoken)
Since marine doesn't appeal to you, 'ow about... rear admiral?
TODD: Too salty. I prefer general.
LOVETT: With, or without his privates? "With" is extra.

TODD: What is that?
LOVETT:
It's fop.
Finest in the shop.
And we have some shepherd's pie peppered
With actual shepherd on top!
And I've just begun --
Here's the politician, so oily
It's served with a doily,
Have one!
TODD:
Put it on a bun.
Well, you never know if it's going to run!
LOVETT:
Try the friar,
Fried, it's drier!
TODD:
No, the clergy is really
Too coarse and too mealy!
LOVETT:
Then actor,
That's compacter!
TODD:
Yes, and always arrives overdone!
I'll come again when you have JUDGE on the menu!

LOVETT: (spoken) Wait! True, we don't have judge yet,
But we've got something you might fancy even better.
TODD: What's that?
LOVETT: Executioner!

TODD:
Have charity towards the world, my pet!
LOVETT:
Yes, yes, I know, my love!
TODD:
We'll take the customers that we can get!
LOVETT:
High-born and low, my love!
TODD:
We'll not discriminate great from small!
No, we'll serve anyone,
Meaning anyone,
BOTH:




And to anyone
At all!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "A Little Priest" in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street are a witty and macabre exchange between the titular character Todd and his accomplice, Mrs. Lovett. The two characters discuss their business of using human flesh in pies, implying that they are using the corpses of Todd's victims. The song starts with Lovett lamenting the waste of human flesh and suggesting the use of the meat in her pies as a way to lift their business and erase their debts.


The song then turns into a comically absurd list of potential pie fillings made from different professions, such as lawyers, bankers, and even clergy. Todd and Lovett banter back and forth, with Todd expressing his preferences for different kinds of meat while Lovett provides her suggestions. In the end, they both agree that they will serve anyone and everyone, regardless of their social status, eventually leading to the "charming" idea of using an executioner as the main ingredient.


The song serves as a commentary on class and hierarchy, where even the highest and mighty can meet their end at the hands of Todd and Lovett, who are exploiting the lower social classes in order to climb the social ladder themselves. The pair shows no remorse for their actions, and even make jokes about their victims, highlighting the macabre humor of the musical.


Line by Line Meaning

Seems a downright shame...
It is truly unfortunate...


Shame?
Do you not see the problem?


Seems an awful waste...
It is a tremendous loss...


Such a nice, plump frame
Referring to a body that is well-built and attractive


Wot's 'is name has...
Referring to a person whose name is unknown


Had...
Referring to a person who had something in the past


Has!
Referring to a person who still has something


Nor it can't be traced...
It cannot be easily followed or identified


Bus'ness needs a lift,
The business requires improvement


Debts to be erased...
There are financial obligations that need to be eliminated


Think of it as thrift,
Consider it a cost-saving measure


As a gift,
Like a present


If you get my drift!
If you understand what I'm implying


No?
You don't see it?


I mean, with the price of meat
Considering the high cost of meat


What it is,
The current state of affairs


When you get it,
When you acquire it


If you get it...
If you manage to obtain it


Good, you got it!
Well, now you understand


Take, for instance, Mrs. Mooney and her pie shop!
Let me give you an example involving Mrs. Mooney and her pie shop


Bus'ness never better using only pussycats and toast!
Her business has never been better, utilizing only cats and bread


And a pussy's good for maybe six or seven at the most!
A cat can serve six or seven people at most


And I'm sure they can't compare as far as taste!
And I'm certain they do not match in terms of flavor


Mrs. Lovett, what a charming notion
Mrs. Lovett, what an interesting idea


Well, it does seem a waste...
Well, it does appear to be a loss


Eminently practical
Highly practical


And yet appropriate as always!
And yet, it fits perfectly as always


It's an idea...
It's a concept worth considering


Mrs. Lovett, how I've lived
Mrs. Lovett, I can't believe I've lived


Without you all these years, I'll never know!
Without you all these years, I will never understand


How delectable!
How delicious!


Also undetectable!
Also impossible to detect


Think about it!
Consider the possibilities


Lots of other gentlemen'll
Many other men will


Soon be comin' for a shave,
Soon be coming for a shave


Won't they?
Don't you think so?


Think of
Imagine


All them
All of them


Pies!
Pies!


How choice!
How excellent!


How rare!
How unique!


For what's the sound of the world out there?
What is the noise of the outside world?


What, Mr. Todd?
What is it, Mr. Todd?


What, Mr. Todd?
What is it, Mr. Todd?


What is that sound?
What is that noise?


Those crunching noises pervading the air!
Those chewing sounds filling the atmosphere!


Yes, Mr. Todd!
Yes, Mr. Todd!


Yes, Mr. Todd!
Yes, Mr. Todd!


Yes, all around!
Yes, everywhere!


It's man devouring man, my dear!
It's humans preying on each other, my dear!


And then who are we to deny it in here?
So, who are we to reject it in this place?


These are desperate times,
These are challenging times


Mrs. Lovett, and desperate measures are called for!
Mrs. Lovett, and we need to take extreme actions


Here we are, now! Hot out of the oven!
Here we are, now! Freshly baked and hot!


What is that?
What is that?


It's priest. Have a little priest.
It's a priest. Try some priest.


Is it really good?
Is it truly delicious?


Sir, it's too good, at least!
Sir, it's incredibly good, to say the least!


Then again, they don't commit sins of the flesh,
Then again, they are not guilty of physical sins


So it's pretty fresh.
So, they are quite fresh


Awful lot of fat.
There's a significant amount of fat


Only where it sat.
Only where the fat was stored


Haven't you got poet, or something like that?
Don't you have a poet, or something similar?


No, y'see, the trouble with poet is
No, you see, the problem with a poet is


'Ow do you know it's deceased?
How can you be sure it's dead?


Try the priest!
Try the priest instead!


Heavenly!
Absolutely delightful!


Not as hearty as bishop, perhaps,
Not as substantial as a bishop, maybe


But then again, not as bland as curate, either!
But at the same time, not as tasteless as a curate!


And good for business, too -- always leaves you wantin' more!
And it's good for business as well -- it always leaves you craving for more!


Trouble is, we only get it on Sundays!
The problem is, we can only obtain it on Sundays!


Lawyer's rather nice.
Lawyer is quite pleasant


If it's for a price.
If you're willing to pay for it


Order something else, though, to follow,
However, order something else for the next course


Since no one should swallow it twice!
Because no one should consume it twice


Anything that's lean.
Anything that is low in fat


Well, then, if you're British and loyal,
Well, in that case, if you are British and loyal


You might enjoy Royal Marine!
You might appreciate the Royal Marine!


Anyway, it's clean.
In any case, it's fresh


Though of course, it tastes of wherever it's been!
Although, of course, it has the flavor of its origin


Is that squire,
Is that a gentleman of high social standing?


On the fire?
Being cooked?


Mercy no, sir, look closer,
Certainly not, sir, take a closer look


You'll notice it's grocer!
You'll realize it's a grocer!


Looks thicker,
Appears thicker


More like vicar!
Nearly like a vicar


No, it has to be grocer --
No, it has to be a grocer --


It's green!
It's green!


The history of the world, my love --
The history of the world, my love --


Save a lot of graves,
Prevent a lot of burials


Do a lot of relatives favors!
Help out numerous family members


Is those below serving those up above!
It is the lower class serving the upper class


Ev'rybody shaves,
Everyone needs a shave


So there should be plenty of flavors!
So, there should be a wide range of choices


How gratifying for once to know
How satisfying it is to finally realize


That those above will serve those down below!
That those in power will be at the mercy of the lower class


Now let's see, here... We've got tinker.
Now, let's examine... We have a tinker


Something... pinker.
Something... more colorful


Tailor?
A tailor?


Paler.
More pale


Butler?
A butler?


Subtler.
More refined


Potter?
A potter?


Hotter.
Hotter


Lovely bit of clerk.
A delightful person who works in an office


Maybe for a lark.
Perhaps, just for fun


Then again there's sweep
On the other hand, there is a chimney sweep


If you want it cheap
If you prefer something inexpensive


And you like it dark!
And you enjoy it charred!


Try the financier,
Try the financier, who deals with money


Peak of his career!
At the height of his profession!


That looks pretty rank.
That appears quite unpleasant


Well, he drank,
Well, he consumed alcohol


It's a bank
He is a bank cashier


Cashier.
A cashier


Never really sold.
Never really popular


Maybe it was old.
Perhaps it was old


Have you any Beadle?
Do you have any Beadle?


Next week, so I'm told!
Next week, according to rumors


Beadle isn't bad till you smell it and
Beadle is not terrible until you smell it and


Notice 'ow well it's been greased...
Realize how well it has been seasoned...


Stick to priest!
Stick to the idea of using priest


Now then, this might be a little bit stringy,
Now then, this might be a bit tough,


But then of course it's... fiddle player!
But of course, it's... a fiddle player!


No, this isn't fiddle player -- it's piccolo player!
No, this is not a fiddle player -- it's a piccolo player!


'Ow can you tell?
How can you determine?


It's piping hot!
It's extremely hot!


Then blow on it first!
Then blow on it first!


The history of the world, my sweet --
The history of the world, my dear --


Oh, Mr. Todd,
Oh, Mr. Todd,


Ooh, Mr. Todd,
Ooh, Mr. Todd,


What does it tell?
What does it reveal?


Is who gets eaten, and who gets to eat!
Who gets devoured, and who gets to devour!


And, Mr. Todd,
And, Mr. Todd,


Too, Mr. Todd,
Also, Mr. Todd,


Who gets to sell!
Who gets to make money!


But fortunately, it's also clear
But fortunately, it's also evident


That ev'rybody goes down well with beer!
That everyone pairs well with beer!


Since marine doesn't appeal to you, 'ow about... rear admiral?
Since marine doesn't interest you, how about... a rear admiral?


Too salty. I prefer general.
Too salty. I would rather have a general.


With, or without his privates? "With" is extra.
With, or without his genitals? "With" costs extra.


What is that?
What is that?


It's fop.
It's a fop.


Finest in the shop.
The best one available.


And we have some shepherd's pie peppered
And we also have some shepherd's pie flavored


With actual shepherd on top!
With real shepherd meat on top!


And I've just begun --
And I've only just started --


Here's the politician, so oily
Here's the politician, so deceitful


It's served with a doily,
It's presented with a lace mat


Have one!
Try it!


Put it on a bun.
Put it on a bun.


Well, you never know if it's going to run!
Well, you never know if it will escape!


Try the friar,
Try the friar,


Fried, it's drier!
When fried, it's drier!


No, the clergy is really
No, the religious figures are actually


Too coarse and too mealy!
Too rough and too unpleasant!


Then actor,
Then an actor,


That's compacter!
That's more compact!


Yes, and always arrives overdone!
Yes, and it's always cooked for too long!


I'll come again when you have JUDGE on the menu!
I'll return when you offer judge!


Wait! True, we don't have judge yet,
Wait! It's true, we don't have judge yet,


But we've got something you might fancy even better.
But we have something you might like even more.


What's that?
What is that?


Executioner!
An executioner!


Have charity towards the world, my pet!
Show kindness to the world, my darling!


Yes, yes, I know, my love!
Yes, yes, I understand, my love!


We'll take the customers that we can get!
We'll serve the customers that we can attract!


High-born and low, my love!
The upper class and the lower class, my love!


We'll not discriminate great from small!
We won't differentiate between those of high status and those who are not!


No, we'll serve anyone,
No, we'll serve anyone,


Meaning anyone,
I mean anyone,


And to anyone
And to anyone


At all!
At all!




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEPHEN SONDHEIM

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

@UnknownDenizen

@@marina................. There are a couple things that I (respectfully) disagree with about your thesis.

In regards to the lack of emotion over the realization that Lucy’s death was on his hands: the man let himself get executed by a child whilst he held closely his dead wife’s body. His willingness to die wasn’t due to the fact that he was distraught over Mrs. Lovetts; if he knew he’d die without her, he would have spared her the fate of being thrown in a fire, maybe even said “What’s done is done” and either stayed there (potentially begrudgingly, and using Lovetts as more of a symbiotic partner of sorts- she can bask in his presence, he can use her for revenue and even as a means of lining up victims for him to release his aggression upon-), left to go brood by himself, or potentially even end his own life.

He picked the latter, but not before exacting revenge on Lovetts for her betrayal (or rather, let someone else end it so it want by his own hand). And the fact that he rushed to her aid was more for the fact that they’d just murdered a judge and his assistant, the scream came from the basement (where several bodies had been dumped) and they’d already been harassed for the stench (dead bodies) coming from their business; it was more of a “We might have just been found out…” senses are tingling, not for feelings towards her.

We do see anguish and despair that he (outwardly) expresses in the scenes when he finds out about Lucy’s rape and alleged suicide, and as he laments in “Epiphany” over how his “Lucy lies in ashes, and I’ll never see my girl again.” From there, it’s more of a cold, hardened man who’s outward appears calm, while internally he is a shaken bottle of emotions (mostly rage). He hardened himself to exact the only goal he figured he had left.

In this scene, he even uses titles like “My pet” for Mrs. Lovetts. Their relationship was essentially a Joker/Harley one, with his heart lying in ashes for the loss of Lucy and for Johanna’s imprisonment in the hands of the man who ruined his life. Mrs. Lovetts was just a useful instrument on his road to revenge, and essentially what was leftover for a consolation prize after his wife and child were gone.

(Edit: I am so sorry…I just got excited typing and discussing the psychology behind the movie that I didn’t realize how much I’d typed 😂)



@GanonGhidorah

Lovett: "Now let's see here...We've got Tinker!"
Todd: "Something...pinker."
Lovett: "How about Tailor?"
Todd: "Something paler..."
Lovett: "Maybe Butler?"
Todd: "Something subtler."
Lovett: "Perhaps some Potter?"
Todd: "Something...Hotter!"
Lovett: "......Locksmith?"
Todd: "................"


XD



@nightcoresubliminals2038

I HAVE SO MANY THOUGHTS.

"Such a nice, plump frame what's-his-name has [contemplating] had? [reaffirming] has."
Whoa, getting a tad Hamlet on us there. He ain't the quintessence of dust just yet.

"When you get it. If you get it."
"Ah..."
"Good, you got it."
I pictured more motion here, but the stiff delivery is chilling. Helena is a gift to humanity.

"Mrs. Lovett, how I've lived without you all these years, I'll never know!"
Said I to myself, listening to By the Sea

That first waltz is everything.

How she says "missa" instead of "mister" makes me so happy. I know it's just Lovett's accent, but it's borderline gleeful and I live for it.

"Who are we to deny it in here?"
PERFECTION.

"Awful lot of fat."
How doth it feel to be roasted by a barber? (All the secondary characters can answer this question.)

Question for discussion: how do you know a poet's deceased? Asking for a friend.

That little R roll in "British and loyal" is hilarious! It's a wonderful display of Lovett's subtle humor and mockery, all while talking about baking people into pies. Love her.

"It's green!"
My brain: Audrey??

"Save a lot of graves, do a lot of relatives favors."
I JUST NOTICED THIS LINE AND I'M LAUGHING TOO HARD, SEND HELP

She's so excited over "plenty of flavors" even though it's murder and corpse desecration and cannibalism. In that order.

"That those above will serve those down below!"
Wonderful pun and wonderful voices. I'm in awe.

"Shepherd's pie peppered with actual shepherd on top."
Pffft. I aspire to this lyrical and rhyming prowess.

Hot take on politics, damn.

"And to anyone at all!"
saddens for a moment before remembering I've got the song on repeat



All comments from YouTube:

@wynnie_draven

Tim Burton ships Johnny and Helena more than he ships himself and Helena

@jackskellington4198

Lol seriously xD There was definitely some sexual undertones in this scene despite being settle.

@dreamsandmemories4807

Jack Skellington this scene is meant to be sorta sexual since she is trying to seduce him while he only has blood lust

@phoenixduncan4750

What's funny is that Helena wanted the role of Mrs. Lovett. Tim Burton denied her the roll because she couldn't sing.. She took singing lessons and got the part.

@clayriffs_

I'm glad

@el5001

@@dreamsandmemories4807 lol ms. Lovett can barely control her lust and it's obvious XD same with sweeney but its bloodlust hes trying to control

24 More Replies...

@roberttreacy8271

That is called “canibalism”, my dear children, and is in fact frowned upon in most societies.

@crimsonknight7011

Desperate times....back then it really was desperate since people were dying of disease and hunger with many homeless and children working in factories

@erin0719

@@crimsonknight7011 he's talking about Willy Wonka

@crimsonknight7011

I know he meant Wonka which was played by him but was just saying that back then it was a real thing

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