Run Away!
Spamalot Lyrics
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Fetchez la vache!
ARTHUR:
Run away!
ROBIN:
Run away!
LANCELOT:
Run away?
BEDAVERE:
Run away!
KNIGHTS:
Run away!
Run away! Run Away!
ARTHUR:
Run away from the stench and the trenchies!
KNIGHTS:
Run away! Run Away!
BEDAVERE:
From these horrible, nasty old Frenchies!
ROBIN:
These frogs and their terrible prattle, are fighting a battle with cattle!
LANCELOT:
We're all full of fear so let's get out of here!
KNIGHTS:
Run away, run away, run away!
FRENCHMEN:
You English all are buggerfolk
Your mothers all are ruggerfolk
Your army is a bloody joke
You couldn't beat an artichoke
If battle you choose to renew
We'll taunt you 'til you all turn blue
We turn our asses as you part
In your direction we all far... Too!
*French National Anthem plays*
*Breaking Wind is heard*
FRENCHMAN:
Fetchez la can-can dancers!
ALL KNIGHTS:
*To the tune of a can-can*
Run away! Run away! Run away! Run-run-run-run-run-run away! Run away! Run away! Run away, run, run away!
Ruuuuun a-waaaaay!
Run away! Run away!
ARTHUR:
It seems like a helpful solution
KNIGHTS:
Run away! Run away!
ARTHUR:
To avoid this French revolution!
We're stuck in a nasty position
Why don't you take a short intermission?
Have a drink and a pee, we'll be back for Act Threeeeeeeee...
PATSY:
Two, sir!
ARTHUR:
Twooooooooo....
KNIGHTS
Run away run away run awaaaaaaaaay!
The lyrics of the song "Run Away!" from Spamalot highlight the knights' struggle against the French, who keep taunting them with insults that are both derogatory and hilarious. When the Frenchman cries out, "Fetchez la vache!" (“Fetch the cow!”), King Arthur and his knights know that it is time to run away. The song repeats the phrase "run away" multiple times, emphasizing the knights’ fear and desperation to escape from the French. The lyrics also reveal the knights’ disgust for the French ("horrible, nasty old Frenchies," "terrible prattle"), and the French’s disdain for the knights' incompetence ("your army is a bloody joke," "you couldn't beat an artichoke").
The song is a comedic parody of musical theatre, and it subverts traditional musical conventions by using humor and irony to make a point. The lyrics are full of witty wordplay and puns, such as "buggerfolk" and "ruggerfolk," and the song often breaks the fourth wall to engage the audience directly. The use of exaggerated French accents and silly dance numbers adds to the overall comical effect of the song.
Overall, "Run Away!" is a hilarious and entertaining song that pokes fun at both the English and French, while also demonstrating the power of humor as a weapon against oppression and tyranny.
Line by Line Meaning
Fetchez la vache!
Get the cow!
Run away!
Flee from danger!
Run away!
Move away from the source of trouble!
Run away?
Is there really a need to run away?
Run away!
Escape before it's too late!
Run away! Run Away!
Hurry and get out of here!
Run away from the stench and the trenchies!
Avoid the bad smell and dangerous surroundings!
Run away! Run Away!
The situation is dire - run now!
From these horrible, nasty old Frenchies!
Get away from these unpleasant and mean-spirited Frenchmen!
These frogs and their terrible prattle, are fighting a battle with cattle!
The French are arguing with cows, and it's not pleasant!
We're all full of fear so let's get out of here!
We are very afraid and need to leave immediately!
You English all are buggerfolk
The French insult the English by calling them perverts.
Your mothers all are ruggerfolk
Even English women are rough and violent.
Your army is a bloody joke
They also claim that the English army is a complete failure.
You couldn't beat an artichoke
The French believe that the English are so weak that they couldn't even win against a vegetable!
If battle you choose to renew
If you try to fight us again...
We'll taunt you 'til you all turn blue
We'll mock and ridicule you so much until you're blue in the face!
We turn our asses as you part
We'll turn our behinds to you as we say goodbye
In your direction we all far... Too!
And as we do so, we'll pass gas in your direction!
Fetchez la can-can dancers!
Get the can-can dancers!
Run away, run away, run away!
Quickly flee while you still can!
Ruun a-waaaay!
Run for your life!
It seems like a helpful solution
Leaving seems like a good idea
To avoid this French revolution!
Let's escape before they cause a larger rebellion!
We're stuck in a nasty position
The situation is unpleasant and we feel trapped.
Why don't you take a short intermission?
Let's take a quick break!
Have a drink and a pee, we'll be back for Act Threeeeeeeee...
Take a drink and a bathroom break - we'll be back for the next part of the show!
Two, sir!
Patsy, the servant, confirms that there are only two drinks.
Run away run away run awaaaaaaaaay!
Escape quickly, now!
Contributed by Alex D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.