Honor To Us All
Lea Salonga Beth Fowler & Marni Nixon Lyrics

This is what you give me to work with
The starting point is not ideal, but I can handle it.

Well, honey, I've seen worse
I've dealt with more challenging cases before.

We're going to turn this sow's ear
We will transform this unpromising candidate.

Into a silk purse
Into someone who is presentable and desirable.

We'll have you washed and dried
You'll be cleaned up and presentable.

Primped and polished
Hair, makeup, and attire will be optimized for attractiveness.

Till you glow with pride
You will feel confident and radiant.

Trust me recipe for instant bride
I have a reliable formula to create a marriageable girl.

You'll bring honor to us all
Your success will reflect positively on your family and ancestors.

Wait and see
The transformation will take time and patience.

When we're through
After we finish our work.

Boys will gladly go to war for you
You will inspire loyalty and devotion in potential suitors.

With good fortune
If luck is on our side.

And a great hairdo
Along with other desirable physical traits.

You'll bring honor to us all
Your desirable qualities will elevate your family's status.

A girl can bring her family
A desirable or advantageous marriage can elevate her family's standing.

Great honor in one way
An excellent opportunity to increase the family's reputation.

By striking a good match
By marrying someone who is considered desirable, wealthy, or influential.

And this could be the day
This could be the day when everything falls into place.

Men want girls with good taste
Men value a girl's sophistication and discernment.

Calm
Controlled and composed.

Obedient
Compliant and submissive.

Who work fast-paced
Energetic and productive.

With good breeding
From a respected or privileged family.

And a tiny waist
An attractive physical feature that is highly sought after.

You'll bring honor to us all
Your desirable traits will reflect positively on your family and ancestors.

We all must serve our Emperor
We all have a duty to serve our country and its leader.

Who guards us from the Huns
Our Emperor is responsible for protecting us from invaders.

A man by bearing arms
Men contribute to the defense of the nation by fighting in wars.

A girl by bearing sons
Women's primary role is to bear children, especially sons who can continue the family line.

When we're through
After we finish our work on you.

You can't fail
Your transformation is guaranteed to be successful.

Like a lotus blossom
Beautiful, delicate, and pure.

Soft and pale
Gentle, delicate, and attractive.

How could any fellow
How could any man.

Say 'no sale'
Refuse to take you as his wife.

You'll bring honor to us all
Your beauty and desirability will elevate your family's standing.

There, you're ready
You are prepared for the next step.

Not yet
There are still finishing touches to be made.

An apple for serenity
An apple has a calming effect and helps alleviate nervousness.

A pendant for balance
A pendant provides a sense of equilibrium and stability.

Beads of jade for beauty
Jade has a long history of being associated with beauty and elegance.

You must proudly show it
You should display your adornments with pride and confidence.

Now add a cricket just for luck
A cricket is considered a sign of good luck and is included for this reason.

And even you can't blow it
With all these good luck charms, there is no way you can fail.

Ancestors
The family members who came before us and are no longer living.

Hear my plea
Listen to my request and grant my wishes.

Help me not to make a fool of me
Assist me in avoiding embarrassment or disgrace.

And to not uproot
To prevent any disruptions or destabilization of the family line.

My family tree
The lineage and ancestry of my family.

Keep my father standing tall
Preserve my father's dignity and standing in the family and community.

Scarier than the undertaker
More frightening than someone who deals with dead bodies.

We are meeting our matchmaker
We are consulting with someone who will help us find a suitable mate.

Destiny
The idea that events are predetermined and not within our control.

Guard our girls
Protect and guide the women in our family towards favorable outcomes.

And our future
Preserve and ensure our family's prosperity and livelihood.

As it fast unfurls
As our future rapidly approaches and unfolds.

Please look kindly on
I ask that you show compassion and mercy towards.

These cultured pearls
These refined and polished young women who represent our family.

Each a perfect porcelain doll
Each one a flawless and precious gem, to be admired and cherished.

Please bring honor to us
I ask that your actions and achievements reflect positively on our family.

(Please bring honor to us)
Repeat of the previous line.

Please bring honor to us
I ask that your behavior and reputation elevate our ancestors and the family line.

(Please bring honor to us)
Repeat of the previous line.

Please bring honor to us all
I ask that you embody the best of our family values and traditions, and achieve great things for us all.