The Sherman Brothers wrote more motion-picture musical song scores than any other songwriting team in film history, working for Walt Disney during the last six years of his life. Film scores of the Sherman Brothers include Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Jungle Book and The Aristocats.
Life and work
Robert and Richard Sherman began writing songs together in 1951 on a challenge from their father, Tin Pan Alley songwriter Al Sherman. The brothers wrote together and with different songwriting partners throughout the rest of the decade.
In 1958, Robert founded the music publishing company Music World Corporation, which later enjoyed a landmark relationship with Disney's BMI-affiliated publishing arm, Wonderland Music Company. That same year, the Sherman Brothers had their first top-ten hit with "Tall Paul," sung by Mouseketeer Judy Harriet on the Surf Records label and then covered by Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. The success of this song yielded the attention of Walt Disney, who eventually hired the Sherman Brothers as Staff Songwriters for Walt Disney Studios. The first song they wrote on personal assignment by Walt Disney was "Strummin' Song" in 1961. It was used in the Annette Funicello made-for-television movie called The Horsemasters.
While at Disney, the Sherman Brothers wrote more motion-picture musical scores than any other songwriters in the history of film. They also wrote what is perhaps their best-known song, "It's a Small World (after all)" for the 1964 New York World's Fair. Since then, some have claimed that this has become the most translated and performed song on Earth, although this is largely justified by the fact that it is played continuously at Disney's leisure park rides of the same name.
In 1965, the Sherman Brothers won two Academy Awards for Mary Poppins, which includes the songs "Feed The Birds," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," and the Oscar-winning "Chim Chim Cher-ee." Since Mary Poppins' premiere, the Shermans have subsequently earned nine Academy Award nominations, two Grammy Awards, four Grammy Award nominations, and an incredible 23 gold- and platinum-certified albums.
Robert and Richard Sherman worked directly for Walt Disney, completing the scores for the live-action musical films The Happiest Millionaire and The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band until Disney's death in 1966. Since leaving the company, the brothers have worked freelance as songwriters on scores of motion pictures, television shows, theme-park exhibits, and stage musicals.
Their first non-Disney assignment came with Albert R. Broccoli's motion picture production Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 1968, which garnered the brothers their third Academy Award Nomination.
In 1970, the Shermans returned to Disney for a brief stint where they completed work on The Aristocats and Bedknobs & Broomsticks. The latter film garnered the brothers their fourth and fifth Oscar Nominations, respectively. 1972 saw the release of Snoopy Come Home, for which the brothers received a Grammy nomination.
In 1973, the Sherman Brothers also made history by becoming the only Americans ever to win First Prize at the Moscow Film Festival for Tom Sawyer, for which they also authored the screenplay.
In 1976, “The Slipper and the Rose” was picked to be the Royal Command Performance of the year. The performance was attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. A modern musical adaptation of the classic Cinderella story, "Slipper", also featured songs, score, and screenplay by the Sherman Brothers. Two further Academy Award nominations were garnered by the brothers for the film. That same year the Sherman Brothers received their star on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame" directly across from Grauman's Chinese Theater.
The Sherman Brothers' numerous other Disney and non-Disney top box office film credits include The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), The Parent Trap (1961), The Parent Trap (1998), Charlotte's Web (1973) , The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh (1977), Snoopy, Come Home (1972), Bedknobs & Broomsticks (1971), and Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1992).
Outside the motion-picture realm, their Tony Award-nominated smash hit Over Here! (1974) was the biggest-grossing original Broadway musical of that year. The Sherman Brothers have also written numerous top selling songs including "You're Sixteen," which holds the distinction of reaching Billboard's #1 spot twice: first with Johnny Burnette in 1960 and then with Ringo Starr fourteen years later. Other top-ten hits include "Pineapple Princess," "Let's Get Together," and more.
In 2000, the Sherman Brothers wrote the song score for the Disney film The Tigger Movie. This film marked the brothers' first major motion picture for the Disney company in over 28t years.
In 2002, Chitty hit the London stage, receiving rave revues. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is currently the most successful stage show ever produced at the London Palladium, boasting the longest run in that century-old theater's history. On April 28, 2005, a second Chitty company premiered on Broadway (New York City) at the Hilton Theatre. The Sherman Brothers wrote an additional six songs specifically for the new stage productions. A successful third company of Chitty is currently touring throughout the United Kingdom.
In 2003, four Sherman Brothers' musicals ranked in the Top 10 Favorite Children's Films of All Time in a British nationwide poll reported by the BBC. The Jungle Book (1967) ranked at #7, Mary Poppins (1964) ranked at #8, The Aristocats (1970) ranked at #9, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) topped the list at #1.
In recent years, with Robert's move to London, England, United Kingdom, the brothers have written many new songs for the stage musical presentations of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins, produced collaboratively by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh.
For their contributions to the motion picture industry, the Sherman brothers have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6918 Hollywood Blvd. and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 9, 2005. On November 16, 2006, Mary Poppins premiered at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway.
On November 17, 2008 the Sherman Brothers received the National Medal of Arts which is the highest honor conferred upon artists or patrons of the arts by the United States Government. The award was presented by United States President, George W. Bush in an East Room ceremony at The White House.
Chim Chim Cher‐ee
Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chim chiminey
Chim chim cher-ee!
A sweep is as lucky
As lucky can be
Chim chiminey
Chim chiminey
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!
The song "Chim Chim Cher-ee" featured in the musical film Mary Poppins is a joyful and cheerful tune sung by Bert, the chimney sweep. The song expresses the happiness and satisfaction that the chimney sweep feels about his job, for he believes that it is the luckiest job ever, as he is always welcomed wherever he goes. The song is a celebration of the simple things in life and the satisfaction that comes from working hard, doing what you love, and being appreciated for it. The lyrics inspire a sense of joy and contentment and remind us of the importance of finding happiness in the little things.
The lyrics of the song also talk about the world of chimney sweeps, a hidden and secret world where no one else ventures. Bert describes the world on rooftops as a beautiful sight, where the sweepers have their own unique and exclusive company. He also talks about how good luck rubs off when he shakes hands or receives a kiss from someone. The song highlights the importance of connection and how sharing happiness and companionship can bring good luck.
Line by Line Meaning
Chim chiminey
A cheerful sound to get your attention
Chim chiminey
Repeat to emphasize the cheerful sound
Chim chim cher-ee!
Happiness is in the air!
A sweep is as lucky
The job of a chimney sweep is a good one
As lucky can be
It's really truly a great job!
Chim chiminey
A cheerful sound to get your attention
Chim chiminey
Repeat to emphasize the cheerful sound
Chim chim cher-oo!
Happiness is still in the air!
Good luck will rub off when
A good luck charm, shaking hands with someone
I shakes 'ands with you
By shaking hands, good luck will come to you
Or blow me a kiss
Kissing in the air, is another good luck charm
And that's lucky too
Good luck comes in many forms
Now as the ladder of life
An analogy representing the steps of life
'As been strung
They've been put into place
You may think a sweep's
The job of a chimney sweep might seem low
On the bottommost rung
It's one of the lower jobs on the ladder of life
Though I spends me time
I work hard sweeping chimneys
In the ashes and smoke
It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it
In this 'ole wide world
But despite it all, there's no happier job than mine
There's no 'appier bloke
I'm the happiest guy around
Chim chiminey
A cheerful sound to get your attention
Chim chiminey
Repeat to emphasize the cheerful sound
Chim chim cher-ee!
Happiness in my job is my motto!
A sweep is as lucky
I consider myself incredibly lucky to have this job
As lucky can be
It's truly the best job in the world
Chim chiminey
A cheerful sound to get your attention
Chim chiminey
Repeat to emphasize the cheerful sound
Chim chim cher-oo!
Happiness is still my motto!
Good luck will rub off when
Another good luck charm, by shaking hands with someone
I shakes 'ands with you
Good luck will come to you when we shake hands
Chim chiminey
A cheerful sound to get your attention
Chim chiminey
Repeat to emphasize the cheerful sound
Chim chim cher-ee!
Yes, happiness is still my motto!
A sweep is as lucky
I'm still proud and lucky to be a chimney sweep
As lucky can be
It's truly the best job in the world
Chim chiminey
A cheerful sound to get your attention
Chim chiminey
Repeat to emphasize the cheerful sound
Chim chim cher-oo!
My motto, happiness is still in the air!
I choose me bristles with pride
I take great pride in selecting the best brushes for my job
Yes, I do
It's important to me that I perform my job well
A broom for the shaft
I carry a brush for sweeping in the chimney
And a broom for the flume
And another brush for dusting and cleaning the lower flue
Up where the smoke is
Working up high where the smoke goes
All billered and curled
The smoke billows and swirls as I clean
'Tween pavement and stars
It's a world between the ground and the sky
Is the chimney sweep world
It's a special, unique occupation
When there's 'ardly no day
During those hazy, in-between times of day
Nor 'ardly no night
Not quite day or night
There's things 'alf in shadow
Shadows dance on the rooftops and walls
And 'alf way in light
The world is half lit by the sun, half by shadows
On the roof tops of London
Working on the amazing rooftop of one of the world's most beautiful cities
Coo, what a sight!
It's stunning and beautiful!
Though I'm covered with soot
Yes, I get dirty doing this job
From me 'ead to me toes
It's hard work and it makes me dirty all over
A sweep knows 'e's welcome
But despite how dirty I am, I'm always welcome
Wherever 'e goes
People appreciate the work a chimney sweep does
Chim chiminey
A cheerful sound to get your attention
Chim chiminey
Repeat to emphasize the cheerful sound
Chim chim cher-ee!
Yes, happiness is in the air!
When you're with a sweep
When you're with me as a chimney sweep
You're in glad company
You're with someone who loves their job and is happy
No where is there
There's nowhere else
A more 'appier crew
People who are happier or more content
Than them wot sings
Than us who sing
"Chim chim cher-ee
Our happy tune, chanting
Chim cher-oo!"
Chanting our tune one more time!
On the chim chiminey
As we dance and sing on the rooftops
Chim chim cher-ee
Our happy tune that weaves through everything we do
Chim cher-oo!
Our happy tune, sung once more, because it makes us feel good!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@friendlyflow
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 brush 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
Cool, what a sight
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-ee
When you're with a sweep, you're in glad company
No where is there are more 'appier crew
Than them wot sings, chim chim cher-ee, chim cher-oo
Chim chiminey, chim chim
Cher-ee chim cher-oo
@edoardo7311
the more I grow old, the more every Mary Poppins song gets me emotional...
@emilylarimore127
Same here
@andrewrees4600
Totally agree, love this song. Reminds me of my mum who passed 2 yrs ago and my childhood.
@Michelle_Schu-blacka
It's memories of childhood ... No commitments, no responsibilities, no hangups.
@stevefielding7475
and me
@kdp8133
Back to my wonderful, loving childhood.
@froboythestud
Was Dick VanDyke’s accent really inaccurate? Yes. Was his performance absolutely perfect, enchanting, lovable, and iconic in every other way? Definitely!
@Imaragamuffinchild
I adore the attempt though haha
@janitabekkering
froboythestud i
@marsbars504
froboythestud no it wasn’t but he is just acting it’s not his accent I’m pretty sure! But it was very accurate to a regular heavy accented British man