Master Of The House
Les Misérables - 10th Anniversary Concert Cast Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

My band of soaks my den is dissolutes
My dirty jokes my always pissed as newts
My sons of whores spent their lives in my inn
Homing pigeons homing in
Then they fly through my doors
And they crawl out on all fours.

Welcome Monsieur sit yourself down
And meet the best innkeeper in town
As fir tge rest all of them crooks
Rooking the guests and cookig the books
Seldom do you see honest men like me
A gent of good intent who′s content to be.

Master of the house doling at the charm
Ready wiith a handshake and an open palm
Tells a saucy tale makes a little stir
Customers appreciate a bon viv vieur
Glad to do a friend a favour
Doesn't cost me to be nice
But nothing gets you nothing
When everything has got a little price.

Master of the house keeper of the zoo Ready to relieve ′em of a sou or two
Watering the wine making up the weight
Pickin' up their knick knacks when they can't see straight
Everybody loves a landlord everybody′s bosom friend I do whateer pleases Jesus won′t I bleed 'em in the enb.

Master of the house quick to catch her eye
Never wants a passer by to pass him by
Servant to the poor butler to the great
Comforter philosopher and a lifelong mate




Everybody′s boon companion everybody's chaperone
Nut

Overall Meaning

The song "Master of the House" from Les Misérables is a song sung by the character Thénardier, a shady innkeeper who uses any means necessary to make money. The lyrics describe his dirty, drunken establishment where his sons of whores spend their lives, and his willingness to cheat and steal from his guests. Thénardier introduces himself as the best innkeeper in town and talks about how rare it is to find an honest man like himself. He boasts about his charm and his willingness to do favors for his customers, but he also acknowledges that everything has a price and he's always looking for ways to make a profit. Thénardier is the master of his domain, and he takes pride in his ability to manipulate and exploit those around him.


The lyrics of "Master of the House" may seem crass and vulgar on the surface, but they actually serve an important purpose in the narrative of Les Misérables. Thénardier represents the seedy underbelly of Parisian society, where poverty and desperation breed corruption and greed. Through his character, the audience sees the contrast between the self-serving behavior of the innkeeper and the selflessness of the story's protagonist, Jean Valjean. Thénardier's song is a reminder that not everyone in the world is willing to do the right thing, and that even in the darkest places, some people will always find a way to profit.


Line by Line Meaning

My band of soaks my den is dissolutes
My group of alcoholics is gathered in my establishment


My dirty jokes my always pissed as newts
I share vulgar jokes with my constantly drunk customers


My sons of whores spent their lives in my inn
The illegitimate offspring of prostitutes have grown up under my roof


Homing pigeons homing in
People seeking refuge and comfort seek out my establishment


Then they fly through my doors
They come to my inn


And they crawl out on all fours.
They leave in a drunken and disorderly manner


Welcome Monsieur sit yourself down
Greetings, take a seat in my establishment


And meet the best innkeeper in town
Meet the most skilled and hospitable proprietor in the area


As fir tge rest all of them crooks
As for the rest, they are all dishonest individuals


Rooking the guests and cookig the books
They cheat and swindle their customers and manipulate their records


Seldom do you see honest men like me
It is rare to find a man of my integrity


A gent of good intent who′s content to be.
I am a principled man who is satisfied with my position


Master of the house doling at the charm
I have mastered the art of being charming


Ready wiith a handshake and an open palm
I am prepared to greet you warmly and offer my services


Tells a saucy tale makes a little stir
I share a provocative story to create excitement


Customers appreciate a bon viv vieur
Patrons enjoy a man who enjoys the finer things in-life


Glad to do a friend a favour
I am always willing to help a friend


Doesn't cost me to be nice
Being kind doesn't come at a great expense to me


But nothing gets you nothing
However, one must give in order to receive


When everything has got a little price.
In this world, everything has a cost


Master of the house keeper of the zoo
I am the overseer of my establishment


Ready to relieve ′em of a sou or two
I am prepared to take a small fee from my customers


Watering the wine making up the weight
I dilute the wine and increase the volume to maximize profits


Pickin' up their knick knacks when they can't see straight
I take advantage of my intoxicated customers by stealing their belongings


Everybody loves a landlord everybody′s bosom friend
Everyone is fond of their landlord and sees them as a close companion


I do whateer pleases Jesus won′t I bleed 'em in the enb.
I do anything to make a profit, even if it means exploiting my customers


Master of the house quick to catch her eye
I am swift to impress and gain the attention of women


Never wants a passer by to pass him by
I never let an opportunity slip away


Servant to the poor butler to the great
I serve both the poor and the wealthy


Comforter philosopher and a lifelong mate
I am a source of comfort and wisdom, and I am loyal to my long-term customers


Everybody′s boon companion everybody's chaperone
I am everyone's friend and confidant


Nut
This is an interjection indicating slight derision of the character's behavior.




Writer(s): מנור אהוד ז"ל, Boublil,alain Albert, Schonberg,claude Michel, Lucchetti Mourou,jean-claude Jos

Contributed by Colin N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@fallwitch

It’s hard to watch this and not get emotional. This is the absolute epitome of perfect musical theatre. It’s simply does not get any better.

@nurmaybooba

agree 100%

@gortex69

This!!!

@alessa.

Yes oh my god YES

@MrVaern

Honestly, I'm disappointed that they didn't really have a proper set for this scene. I can't find any videos of this actor performing the song with the extras and choreography that goes along with it.

@michael_johnston

When I saw Les Mis live for the first time, I cried 3 times. Fantine’s death, Eponine’s death, and Valjean’s death. After watching the movie a dozen or so times, Eponine’s death always gets me.

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@leedraconis5793

You can just tell how much fun the chorus is having in this song

@tunafour-shoes4618

You're right! It IS a lot of fun!

@davidw.smiecinski5260

Once you defeat all the other innkeepers, this song plays as the boss of all innkeepers appears

@j.mariethompson981

Sorry but no......
this is the SECRET BOSS LEVEL you reach when you FINALLY believe sleep is on the cards.

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