mary poppins
Karen Dotrice Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Chim chiminey
Chim chiminey
Chim chim cher-ee!
A sweep is as lucky
As lucky can be

Chim chiminey
Chim chiminey
Chim chim cher-oo!
Good luck will rub off when
I shakes 'ands with you
Or blow me a kiss
And that's lucky too

Now as the ladder of life
'As been strung
You may think a sweep's
On the bottommost rung

Though I spends me time
In the ashes and smoke
In this 'ole wide world
There's no 'appier bloke

Chim chiminey
Chim chiminey
Chim chim cher-ee!
A sweep is as lucky
As lucky can be

Chim chiminey
Chim chiminey
Chim chim cher-oo!
Good luck will rub off when
I shakes 'ands with you

Chim chiminey
Chim chiminey
Chim chim cher-ee!
A sweep is as lucky
As lucky can be

Chim chiminey
Chim chiminey
Chim chim cher-oo!
Good luck will rub off when
I shakes 'ands with you

I choose me bristles with pride
Yes, I do
A broom for the shaft
And a broom for the flume

Up where the smoke is
All billered and curled
'Tween pavement and stars
Is the chimney sweep world

When the's 'ardly no day
Nor 'ardly no night
There's things 'alf in shadow
And 'alf way in light
On the roof tops of London
Coo, what a sight!

Though I'm covered with soot
From me 'ead to me toes
A sweep knows 'e's welcome
Wherever 'e goes

Chim chiminey
Chim chiminey
Chim chim cher-ee!
When you're with a sweep
You're in glad company

No where is there
A more 'appier crew

Than them wot sings
"Chim chim cher-ee
Chim cher-oo!"
On the chim chiminey




Chim chim cher-ee
Chim cher-oo!

Overall Meaning

The song "Chim Chim Cher-ee" from "Mary Poppins" sings the praises of chimney sweeps, who may be seen as lowly and dirty, but are championed here as "as lucky as lucky can be." The song is written from the perspective of a chimney sweep, who explains that their job may be messy, but it often leads to unexpected opportunities and encounters that bring good luck. The sweep's job may be at the bottom rung of society and they may spend their days in soot and ash, but in the end, they are happy and content with the life they have chosen. The song has a bouncy, upbeat melody that reinforces the idea that even the lowest jobs can be fulfilling if one embraces them with pride and positivity.


Line by Line Meaning

Chim chiminey
Chimney sweeps are skilled workers and bring good luck.


Chim chiminey
Chimney sweeps are skilled workers and bring good luck.


Chim chim cher-ee!
Singing this song brings good luck.


A sweep is as lucky
Being a sweep is a coveted and lucky profession.


As lucky can be
Being a chimney sweep is a very fortunate life.


Chim chiminey
Chimney sweeps are skilled workers and bring good luck.


Chim chiminey
Chimney sweeps are skilled workers and bring good luck.


Chim chim cher-oo!
Singing this song brings good luck.


Good luck will rub off when
Good fortune is contagious and can be transferred through contact or even blowing a kiss.


I shakes 'ands with you
Shaking hands is a way to share good luck and success.


Or blow me a kiss
Sending a kiss is a way to extend good luck and well wishes.


And that's lucky too
Even small gestures can bring good luck and happiness.


Now as the ladder of life
The singer is contemplating their social status and worth in society.


'As been strung
The process of achieving success can be likened to climbing a ladder.


You may think a sweep's
Outward appearances can be deceiving, and a chimney sweep may seem like a lowly occupation.


On the bottommost rung
Chimney sweeps are often overlooked and undervalued by society.


Though I spends me time
Even though the artist works in dirty and difficult conditions as a chimney sweep.


In the ashes and smoke
Chimney sweeps work in the soot and dust of chimneys and fireplaces.


In this 'ole wide world
The world is vast and full of different occupations, but the singer is content with their chosen profession.


There's no 'appier bloke
The artist is perfectly happy with their life as a chimney sweep and wouldn't choose any other profession.


When you're with a sweep
Being in the company of a chimney sweep is a joyful experience.


You're in glad company
Chimney sweeps are generally happy and content within their profession and bring joy to those around them.


No where is there
There is nowhere else in the world where one can find a happier group of people.


A more 'appier crew
Chimney sweeps are the happiest group of people you'll ever find.


Than them wot sings
Chimney sweeps are known to sing while they work.


"Chim chim cher-ee
The iconic song that celebrates the work of chimney sweeps and is regarded as a good luck charm.


Chim cher-oo!"
A playful variation of the song that further highlights the joy that chimney sweeps bring to the world.


On the chim chiminey
The chim chiminey is the symbol of the chimney sweep and their occupation.


Chim chim cher-ee
The iconic song that celebrates the work of chimney sweeps and is regarded as a good luck charm.


Chim cher-oo!
A playful variation of the song that further highlights the joy that chimney sweeps bring to the world.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Walt Disney Music Company
Written by: RICHARD M. SHERMAN, ROBERT B. SHERMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions