Topsy Turvy
Paul Kandel and Chorus Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Come one, come all
Leave your loops and milking stools
Coop the hens and pen the mules
Come one, come all
Close the churches and the schools
It's the day for breaking rules
Come and join the feast of
Fools!

Once a year we throw a party here in town
Once a year we turn all Paris upside down
Every man's a king and every king's a clown
Once again it's topsy turvy day
It's the day the devil in us gets released
It's the day we mock the prig and shock the priest
Everything is topsy turvy at the feast of fools

Topsy turvy
Everything is upsy daysy
Topsy turvy
Everyone is acting crazy
Dross is gold and and weeds are a bouquet
That's the way on topsy turvy day

Topsy turvy
Beat the drums and blow the trumpets
Topsy turvy
Join the bums and thieves and strumpets
Streaming in from Chartres to Calais
Scurvy knaves are extra scurvy
On the sixth of January
All because it's topsy turvy day

Come one, come all
Hurry, hurry here's your chance
See the mystery and romance
Come one, come all
See the finest girl in France
Make an entrance to entrance
Dance, la Esmeralda
Dance!

Here it is, the moment you've been waiting for
Here it is, you know exactly what's in store
Now's the time we laugh until our sides get sore
Now's the time we crown the King of Fools
You all remember last year's king?
So make a face that's horrible and frightening
Make a face as gruesome as a gargoyle's wing
For the face that's ugliest will be the King of Fools
Why?

Topsy turvy!
Ugly folks, forget your shyness
Topsy turvy!
You could soon be called Your Highness
Put your foulest features on display
Be the king of topsy turvy day

Everybody!
Once a year we throw a party here in town
Hail to the king
Once a year we turn all Paris upside down
Oh, what a king!
Once a year the ugliest will wear a crown
Girls, give a kiss!
Once a year on topsy turvy day
We've never had a king like this

And it's the day we do the things that we deplore
On the other three hundred and sixty-four
Once a year we love to drop in
Where the beer is never stoppin'
For the chance to pop some popinjay
And pick a king who'll put the top
In Topsy Turvy




Topsy turvy
Mad and crazy, upsy daysy, Topsy Turvy Day!

Overall Meaning

The song Topsy Turvy is a celebratory tune about the Feast of Fools, the one day of the year where rules and social norms are broken in Paris. It’s a day where the common people become kings and the kings become clowns. The first verse of the song urges people to leave their daily chores and join the feast of fools. The lyrics encourage the people to come out of their comfort zones and forget their daily routine. The feast of fools is the only day of the year when the churches and schools are closed, and people can do what they want. Everything is turned upside down, and people act wildly as if they’re crazy.


The second verse of the song is about how people prepare for the feast of fools, which is a party where everyone gets dressed up and celebrates. The people get to see the finest girl in France, La Esmeralda, and dance along. The third verse of the song is about the selection of the King of Fools, an ugly person with the most horrible and frightening face. The ugliest person is made the king of fools for the day. The song ends with the choruses shouting about how Topsy Turvy everything is, how everyone acts crazy, and how it's the one day where ugly people have the chance to be crowned the king.


Line by Line Meaning

Come one, come all
Everyone is invited, don't miss your chance


Leave your loops and milking stools
Stop working and come join the party


Coop the hens and pen the mules
Take a break from your chores and have fun


Close the churches and the schools
Forget about rules and formalities


It's the day for breaking rules
This is an occasion to let loose and be wild


Come and join the feast of Fools!
Be a part of this crazy, festive celebration


Once a year we throw a party here in town
This is a special, annual event


Once a year we turn all Paris upside down
We do things differently on this day


Every man's a king and every king's a clown
Everyone is equal and nobody takes themselves too seriously


Once again it's topsy turvy day
This is a day where everything is flipped and chaotic


It's the day the devil in us gets released
We can let out our wild side, our inner devils


It's the day we mock the prig and shock the priest
We can make fun of people who are usually off limits


Everything is topsy turvy at the feast of fools
This is the hallmark of the day's celebration


Topsy turvy, everything is upsy daysy
This day is crazy and unpredictable


Topsy turvy, everyone is acting crazy
Everybody lets their hair down and does weird things


Dross is gold and weeds are a bouquet
Even the bad things seem good on this day


That's the way on topsy turvy day
This is the ethos of the festivities


Topsy turvy, beat the drums and blow the trumpets
The music is loud and upbeat


Topsy turvy, join the bums and thieves and strumpets
Everybody is welcome, including misfits and outcasts


Streaming in from Chartres to Calais
People come from all over to be a part of this


Scurvy knaves are extra scurvy
Even the worst of us is having a good time


On the sixth of January
This is the date of the festival


All because it's topsy turvy day
This is why we are partying


Hurry, hurry here's your chance
This is a limited time offer, so come now


See the mystery and romance
Experience the intrigue and excitement of the day


See the finest girl in France
Behold the beauty of the beloved Esmeralda


Make an entrance to entrance
Be a showstopper, make an impression


Dance, la Esmeralda, dance!
Esmeralda please perform for us


Here it is, the moment you've been waiting for
The highlight of the day is about to happen


Here it is, you know exactly what's in store
You should know what to expect by now


Now's the time we laugh until our sides get sore
This is the laughter filled moment we've been waiting for


Now's the time we crown the King of Fools
The ultimate honor is about to be bestowed


You all remember last year's king?
This is a reminder of the honor's legacy


So make a face that's horrible and frightening
The contest involves looking grotesque


Make a face as gruesome as a gargoyle's wing
Not even the most scary prize is too bizarre


For the face that's ugliest will be the King of Fools
Only the most repulsive will win


Ugly folks, forget your shyness
Everybody, especially the unattractive, can participate


You could soon be called Your Highness
Even the most repulsive can be royalty today


Put your foulest features on display
Don't hold back, let your true weirdness shine


Be the king of topsy turvy day
Be the ultimate winner of the ultimate honor


Hail to the king
Celebrate the winner in all his ugliness


Oh, what a king!
Sarcasm at its finest, we truly love to hate the winner


Girls, give a kiss!
Even the royals, in their ugliness, get a prize


We've never had a king like this
Truly, this is a unique event and a unique winner


And it's the day we do the things that we deplore
This is the day we indulge in our guilty pleasures


On the other three hundred and sixty-four
All the other days we live a more boring existence


Once a year we love to drop in, where the beer is never stoppin'
We love to come to this place, we never want the party to stop


For the chance to pop some popinjay
We like to mock the people we usually can't


And pick a king who'll put the top in topsy turvy
Choose a royalty who will keep this day truly chaotic


Topsy turvy, mad and crazy, upsy daysy, Topsy Turvy Day!
This is a truly bizarre day, so enjoy it while it lasts!




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALAN MENKEN, STEPHEN LAURENCE SCHWARTZ

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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