A little priest
Sweeney Todd Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

MRS. LOVETT:

Seems a downright shame...

TODD: Shame?

LOVETT:
Seems an awful waste...

Such a nice, plump frame

Wot's 'is name has...

Had...

Has!

Nor it can't be traced...

Bus'ness needs a lift,

Debts to be erased...

Think of it as thrift,

As a gift,

If you get my drift!

No?

Seems an awful waste...

I mean, with the price of meat

What it is,

When you get it,

If you get it...

TODD: HAH!

LOVETT:

Good, you got it!

Take, for instance, Mrs. Mooney and her pie shop!

Bus'ness never better using only pussycats and toast!

And a pussy's good for maybe six or seven at the most!

And I'm sure they can't compare as far as taste!

TODD:

Mrs. Lovett, what a charming notion

LOVETT:

Well, it does seem a waste...

TODD:

Eminently practical

And yet appropriate as always!

LOVETT:

It's an idea...

TODD:

Mrs. Lovett, how I've lived

Without you all these years, I'll never know!

How delectable!

Also undetectable!

LOVETT:

Think about it!

Lots of other gentlemen'll

Soon be comin' for a shave,

Won't they?

Think of

All them

Pies!

TODD:

How choice!

How

Rare!

TODD:

For what's the sound of the world out there?

LOVETT:

What, Mr. Todd?

What, Mr. Todd?

What is that sound?

TODD:

Those crunching noises pervading the air!

LOVETT:

Yes, Mr. Todd!

Yes, Mr. Todd!

Yes, all around!

TODD:

It's man devouring man, my dear!

BOTH:

And [LOVETT: Then] who are we to deny it in here?

TODD: These are desperate times,

Mrs. Lovett, and desperate measures are called for!

LOVETT: Here we are, now! Hot out of the oven!

TODD: What is that?

LOVETT:

It's priest. Have a little priest.

TODD:

Is it really good?

LOVETT:

Sir, it's too good, at least!

Then again, they don't commit sins of the flesh,

So it's pretty fresh.

TODD:

Awful lot of fat.

LOVETT:

Only where it sat.

TODD:

Haven't you got poet, or something like that?

LOVETT:

No, y'see, the trouble with poet is

'Ow do you know it's deceased?

Try the priest!

TODD: Heavenly!

Not as hearty as bishop, perhaps,

But then again, not as bland as curate, either!

LOVETT:

And good for business, too -- always leaves you wantin' more!

Trouble is, we only get it on Sundays!

Lawyer's rather nice.

TODD:

If it's for a price.

LOVETT:

Order something else, though, to follow,

Since no one should swallow it twice!

TODD:

Anything that's lean.

LOVETT:

Well, then, if you're British and loyal,

You might enjoy Royal Marine!

Anyway, it's clean.

Though of course, it tastes of wherever it's been!

TODD:

Is that squire,

On the fire?

LOVETT:

Mercy no, sir, look closer,

You'll notice it's grocer!

TODD:

Looks thicker,

More like vicar!

LOVETT:

No, it has to be grocer --

It's green!

TODD:

The history of the world, my love --

LOVETT:

Save a lot of graves,

Do a lot of relatives favors!

TODD:

Is those below serving those up above!

LOVETT:

Ev'rybody shaves,

So there should be plenty of flavors!

TODD:

How gratifying for once to know

BOTH:

That those above will serve those down below!

LOVETT: (spoken) Now let's see, here... We've got tinker.

TODD: Something... pinker.

LOVETT: Tailor?

TODD: Paler.

LOVETT: Butler?

TODD: Subtler.

LOVETT: Potter?

TODD: Hotter.

LOVETT: Locksmith?

Lovely bit of clerk.

TODD:

Maybe for a lark.

LOVETT:

Then again there's sweep

If you want it cheap

And you like it dark!

Try the financier,

Peak of his career!

TODD:

That looks pretty rank.

LOVETT:

Well, he drank,

It's a bank

Cashier.

Never really sold.

Maybe it was old.

TODD:

Have you any Beadle?

LOVETT:

Next week, so I'm told!

Beadle isn't bad till you smell it and

Notice 'ow well it's been greased...

Stick to priest!

Now then, this might be a little bit stringy,

But then of course it's... fiddle player!

TODD: No, this isn't fiddle player -- it's piccolo player!

LOVETT: 'Ow can you tell?

TODD: It's piping hot!

LOVETT: Then blow on it first!

TODD:

The history of the world, my sweet --

LOVETT:

Oh, Mr. Todd,

Ooh, Mr. Todd,

What does it tell?

TODD:

Is who gets eaten, and who gets to eat!

LOVETT:

And, Mr. Todd,

Too, Mr. Todd,

Who gets to sell!

TODD:

But fortunately, it's also clear

BOTH:

That [L: But] ev'rybody goes down well with beer!

LOVETT:

Since marine doesn't appeal to you, 'ow about... rear admiral?

TODD: Too salty. I prefer general.

LOVETT: With, or without his privates? "With" is extra.

TODD: What is that?

LOVETT:

It's fop.

Finest in the shop.

And we have some shepherd's pie peppered

With actual shepherd on top!

And I've just begun --

Here's the politician, so oily

It's served with a doily,

Have one!

TODD:

Put it on a bun.

Well, you never know if it's going to run!

LOVETT:

Try the friar,

Fried, it's drier!

TODD:

No, the clergy is really

Too coarse and too mealy!

LOVETT:

Then actor,

That's compacter!

TODD:

Yes, and always arrives overdone!

I'll come again when you have JUDGE on the menu!

LOVETT: Wait! True, we don't have judge yet,

But we've got something you might fancy even better.

TODD: What's that?

LOVETT: Executioner!

TODD:

Have charity towards the world, my pet!

LOVETT:

Yes, yes, I know, my love!

TODD:

We'll take the customers that we can get!

LOVETT:

High-born and low, my love!

TODD:

We'll not discriminate great from small!

No, we'll serve anyone,

Meaning anyone,

BOTH:

And to anyone





At all!

Overall Meaning

The song "A Little Priest" from Sweeney Todd is a macabre duet between the titular character and his partner in crime, Mrs. Lovett. The two are discussing ways to dispose of the bodies left behind by Todd's victims and come up with the idea of turning them into meat pies for sale in Mrs. Lovett's shop. The song is filled with dark humor and irony as they discuss the various types of people who could be turned into pies, including a priest, a lawyer, and even a financier. Ultimately, they decide that anyone is fair game as they sing about serving "anyone, meaning anyone, and to anyone at all."


Through their conversation, Todd and Lovett reveal their twisted worldview and utter disregard for human life. The song paints a picture of a world where the rich and powerful prey on the vulnerable, and where even the dead are not safe from exploitation. The final lines of the song reveal that all of humanity is consumed by this cycle of violence and cannibalism, with everyone being both a victim and a perpetrator.


Overall, "A Little Priest" is a chilling and disturbing portrayal of the darkest aspects of human nature, wrapped up in a catchy and memorable tune.


Line by Line Meaning

Seems a downright shame...
It's truly unfortunate...


Seems an awful waste...
Such a missed opportunity...


Wot's 'is name has...
That person whose name we can't quite remember...


Had...
Has had...


Has!
Continues to possess!


Nor it can't be traced...
Impossible to track...


Bus'ness needs a lift,
The business requires a boost...


Debts to be erased...
We must eliminate our debts...


Think of it as thrift,
Consider it as being frugal...


As a gift,
More like a present,


If you get my drift!
If you understand what I'm implying!


No?...
You don't get it?...


Seems an awful waste...
It's such a missed opportunity...


I mean, with the price of meat
Considering the high cost of meat...


What it is,
How expensive it is,


When you get it,
If you can even obtain it...


If you get it...
If you can actually acquire it...


Good, you got it!
Great, you understand now!


Take, for instance, Mrs. Mooney and her pie shop!
Consider the example of Mrs. Mooney and her pie shop!


Bus'ness never better using only pussycats and toast!
Her business has never been better by using just cats and bread!


And a pussy's good for maybe six or seven at the most!
And a cat can serve about six or seven customers at most!


And I'm sure they can't compare as far as taste!
And I'm certain they can't be as delicious!


Mrs. Lovett, what a charming notion
Mrs. Lovett, what an interesting idea


Well, it does seem a waste...
Well, it does appear to be a missed opportunity...


Eminently practical
Extremely practical


And yet appropriate as always!
And yet, fitting as always!


It's an idea...
It's a thought...


Mrs. Lovett, how I've lived
Mrs. Lovett, I can't believe I've lived...


Without you all these years, I'll never know!
Without you all these years, I'll never understand!


How delectable!
How delightful!


Also undetectable!
And also impossible to detect!


Think about it!
Consider it!


Lots of other gentlemen'll
Many other gentlemen will...


Soon be comin' for a shave,
Soon come for a shave...


Won't they?
Don't you think?


Think of
Imagine


All them
All those


Pies!
Pies we can make!


How choice!
How excellent!


How rare!
How uncommon!


For what's the sound of the world out there?
For what is happening in the outside world...


What, Mr. Todd?
What is it, Mr. Todd?


What is that sound?
What is that noise?


Those crunching noises pervading the air!
Those sounds of crunching that fill the air!


Yes, Mr. Todd!
Yes, Mr. Todd!


Yes, all around!
Yes, everywhere!


It's man devouring man, my dear!
It's people devouring people, my dear!


And who are we to deny it in here?
And who are we to reject it in this place?


These are desperate times,
These are difficult times,


Mrs. Lovett, and desperate measures are called for!
Mrs. Lovett, and we must take extreme actions!


Here we are, now! Hot out of the oven!
Here we are, now! Freshly baked and hot!


What is that?
What is that?


It's priest. Have a little priest.
It's a priest. Try a little priest.


Is it really good?
Is it truly delicious?


Sir, it's too good, at least!
Sir, it's more than good, I assure you!


Then again, they don't commit sins of the flesh,
But then again, they don't engage in sexual sins,


So it's pretty fresh.
So the meat is quite fresh.


Awful lot of fat.
There's a significant amount of fat.


Only where it sat.
Only in the areas where it was stored.


Haven't you got poet, or something like that?
Don't you have a poet, or a similar option?


No, y'see, the trouble with poet is
No, you see, the problem with poet is that


'Ow do you know it's deceased?
How can you be sure it's dead?


Try the priest!
Try the priest instead!


Heavenly!
Divine!


Not as hearty as bishop, perhaps,
Not as satisfying as a bishop, maybe,


But then again, not as bland as curate, either!
But also not as dull as a curate, either!


And good for business, too -- always leaves you wantin' more!
And it's beneficial for the business as well -- it always leaves customers wanting more!


Trouble is, we only get it on Sundays!
The problem is, we can only acquire it on Sundays!


Lawyer's rather nice.
Lawyers are quite enjoyable.


If it's for a price.
If you're willing to pay the cost.


Order something else, though, to follow,
However, order something else to eat afterwards,


Since no one should swallow it twice!
Because it's not advisable to consume it twice!


Anything that's lean.
Anything that is lean.


Well, then, if you're British and loyal,
Well, in that case, if you're British and loyal,


You might enjoy Royal Marine!
You might appreciate Royal Marine!


Anyway, it's clean.
In any case, it's clean.


Though of course, it tastes of wherever it's been!
Although, naturally, it has the taste of its origin!


Is that squire,
Is that gentleman,


On the fire?
Roasting?


Mercy no, sir, look closer,
Oh no, sir, take a closer look,


You'll notice it's grocer!
You'll realize it's a grocer!


Looks thicker,
Appears more substantial,


More like vicar!
More like a vicar!


No, it has to be grocer --
No, it must be a grocer --


It's green!
It has a green color!


The history of the world, my love --
The history of the world, my love --


Save a lot of graves,
Save many graves,


Do a lot of relatives favors!
Do many favors for relatives!


Is those below serving those up above!
It's the lower class serving the upper class!


Ev'rybody shaves,
Everyone gets a shave,


So there should be plenty of flavors!
So there should be a variety of tastes!


How gratifying for once to know
How satisfying it is to finally know


That those above will serve those down below!
That the upper class will serve the lower class!


Now let's see, here... We've got tinker.
Now let's see, here... We have a tinker.


Something... pinker.
Something... pinker.


Tailor?
Tailor?


Paler.
Paler.


Butler?
Butler?


Subtler.
Subtler.


Potter?
Potter?


Hotter.
Hotter.


Locksmith?
Locksmith?


Lovely bit of clerk.
A delightful piece of a clerk.


Maybe for a lark.
Perhaps for amusement purposes.


Then again there's sweep
On the other hand, there's a sweep


If you want it cheap
If you want something cheaper


And you like it dark!
And you prefer it with a dark hue!


Try the financier,
Try the financier,


Peak of his career!
At the peak of his career!


That looks pretty rank.
That seems quite disgusting.


Well, he drank,
Well, he drank,


It's a bank
He works at a bank


Cashier.
A cashier.


Never really sold.
Never truly valuable.


Maybe it was old.
Perhaps it was old.


Have you any Beadle?
Do you have any Beadle?


Next week, so I'm told!
Next week, I heard!


Beadle isn't bad till you smell it and
Beadle isn't bad until you smell it and


Notice 'ow well it's been greased...
Realize how well it has been greased...


Stick to priest!
Stick with the priest!


Now then, this might be a little bit stringy,
Now then, this might be a bit tough,


But then of course it's... fiddle player!
But then again, it's... fiddle player!


No, this isn't fiddle player -- it's piccolo player!
No, this isn't fiddle player -- it's piccolo player!


'Ow can you tell?
How can you tell?


It's piping hot!
It's extremely hot!


Then blow on it first!
In that case, blow on it first!


The history of the world, my sweet --
The history of the world, my sweet --


Oh, Mr. Todd,
Oh, Mr. Todd,


Ooh, Mr. Todd,
Ooh, Mr. Todd,


What does it tell?
What does it reveal?


Is who gets eaten, and who gets to eat!
Is who is consumed, and who gets to consume!


And, Mr. Todd,
And, Mr. Todd,


Too, Mr. Todd,
Also, Mr. Todd,


Who gets to sell!
Who gets to sell!


But fortunately, it's also clear
But luckily, it's also evident


That ev'rybody goes down well with beer!
That everyone pairs well with beer!


Since marine doesn't appeal to you, 'ow about... rear admiral?
Since you're not interested in marine, how about... rear admiral?


Too salty. I prefer general.
Too salty. I prefer general.


With, or without his privates? "With" is extra.
With, or without his genitals? "With" costs extra.


What is that?
What is that?


It's fop.
It's a dandy.


Finest in the shop.
The best in the shop.


And we have some shepherd's pie peppered
And we have some shepherd's pie seasoned with


With actual shepherd on top!
With actual shepherd meat on top!


And I've just begun --
And I've only just started --


Here's the politician, so oily
Here's the politician, so slick


It's served with a doily,
It's served with a doily,


Have one!
Try one!


Put it on a bun.
Put it on a bun.


Well, you never know if it's going to run!
Well, you never know if it's going to flee!


Try the friar,
Try the friar,


Fried, it's drier!
When fried, it's drier!


No, the clergy is really
No, the clergy is actually


Too coarse and too mealy!
Too rough and too grainy!


Then actor,
Then an actor,


That's compacter!
That's more compact!


Yes, and always arrives overdone!
Yes, and it's always overcooked!


I'll come again when you have JUDGE on the menu!
I'll return when you offer JUDGE on the menu!


Wait! True, we don't have judge yet,
Wait! It's true, we don't have judge yet,


But we've got something you might fancy even better.
But we have something you might find even more appealing.


What's that?
What is that?


Executioner!
An executioner!


Have charity towards the world, my pet!
Show some kindness to the world, my dear!


Yes, yes, I know, my love!
Yes, yes, I understand, my love!


We'll take the customers that we can get!
We'll take whatever customers we can attract!


High-born and low, my love!
From the upper class and the lower class, my love!


We'll not discriminate great from small!
We won't differentiate between the important and the insignificant!


No, we'll serve anyone,
No, we'll serve anyone,


Meaning anyone,
Meaning absolutely anyone,


And to anyone
And to anyone


At all!
Without exception!




Contributed by Lucas Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

J B

MRS. LOVETT:
Seems a downright shame...
TODD: Shame?
LOVETT:
Seems an awful waste...
Such a nice, plump frame
Wot's 'is name has...
Had...
Has!
Nor it can't be traced...
Bus'ness needs a lift,
Debts to be erased...
Think of it as thrift,
As a gift,
If you get my drift!
No?
Seems an awful waste...
I mean, with the price of meat
What it is,
When you get it,
If you get it...
TODD: HAH!
LOVETT:
Good, you got it!
Take, for instance, Mrs. Mooney and her pie shop!
Bus'ness never better using only pussycats and toast!
And a pussy's good for maybe six or seven at the most!
And I'm sure they can't compare as far as taste!
TODD:
Mrs. Lovett, what a charming notion
LOVETT:
Well, it does seem a waste...
TODD:
Eminently practical
And yet appropriate as always!
LOVETT:
It's an idea...
TODD:
Mrs. Lovett, how I've lived
Without you all these years, I'll never know!
How delectable!
Also undetectable!
LOVETT:
Think about it!
Lots of other gentlemen'll
Soon be comin' for a shave,
Won't they?
Think of
All them
Pies!
TODD:
How choice!
How
Rare!
TODD:
For what's the sound of the world out there?
LOVETT:
What, Mr. Todd?
What, Mr. Todd?
What is that sound?
TODD:
Those crunching noises pervading the air!
LOVETT:
Yes, Mr. Todd!
Yes, Mr. Todd!
Yes, all around!
TODD:
It's man devouring man, my dear!
BOTH:
And [LOVETT: Then] who are we to deny it in here?
TODD: (spoken) These are desperate times,
Mrs. Lovett, and desperate measures are called for!
LOVETT: Here we are, now! Hot out of the oven!
TODD: What is that?
LOVETT:
It's priest. Have a little priest.
TODD:
Is it really good?
LOVETT:
Sir, it's too good, at least!
Then again, they don't commit sins of the flesh,
So it's pretty fresh.
TODD:
Awful lot of fat.
LOVETT:
Only where it sat.
TODD:
Haven't you got poet, or something like that?
LOVETT:
No, y'see, the trouble with poet is
'Ow do you know it's deceased?
Try the priest!
TODD: (spoken) Heavenly!
Not as hearty as bishop, perhaps,
But then again, not as bland as curate, either!
LOVETT:
And good for business, too -- always leaves you wantin' more!
Trouble is, we only get it on Sundays!
Lawyer's rather nice.
TODD:
If it's for a price.
LOVETT:
Order something else, though, to follow,
Since no one should swallow it twice!
TODD:
Anything that's lean.
LOVETT:
Well, then, if you're British and loyal,
You might enjoy Royal Marine!
Anyway, it's clean.
Though of course, it tastes of wherever it's been!
TODD:
Is that squire,
On the fire?
LOVETT:
Mercy no, sir, look closer,
You'll notice it's grocer!
TODD:
Looks thicker,
More like vicar!
LOVETT:
No, it has to be grocer --
It's green!
TODD:
The history of the world, my love --
LOVETT:
Save a lot of graves,
Do a lot of relatives favors!
TODD:
Is those below serving those up above!
LOVETT:
Ev'rybody shaves,
So there should be plenty of flavors!
TODD:
How gratifying for once to know
BOTH:
That those above will serve those down below!
LOVETT: (spoken) Now let's see, here... We've got tinker.
TODD: Something... pinker.
LOVETT: Tailor?
TODD: Paler.
LOVETT: Butler?
TODD: Subtler.
LOVETT: Potter?
TODD: Hotter.
LOVETT: Locksmith?
Lovely bit of clerk.
TODD:
Maybe for a lark.
LOVETT:
Then again there's sweep
If you want it cheap
And you like it dark!
Try the financier,
Peak of his career!
TODD:
That looks pretty rank.
LOVETT:
Well, he drank,
It's a bank
Cashier.
Never really sold.
Maybe it was old.
TODD:
Have you any Beadle?
LOVETT:
Next week, so I'm told!
Beadle isn't bad till you smell it and
Notice 'ow well it's been greased...
Stick to priest!
Now then, this might be a little bit stringy,
But then of course it's... fiddle player!
TODD: No, this isn't fiddle player -- it's piccolo player!
LOVETT: 'Ow can you tell?
TODD: It's piping hot!
LOVETT: Then blow on it first!
TODD:
The history of the world, my sweet --
LOVETT:
Oh, Mr. Todd,
Ooh, Mr. Todd,
What does it tell?
TODD:
Is who gets eaten, and who gets to eat!
LOVETT:
And, Mr. Todd,
Too, Mr. Todd,
Who gets to sell!
TODD:
But fortunately, it's also clear
BOTH:
That [L: But] ev'rybody goes down well with beer!
LOVETT: (spoken)
Since marine doesn't appeal to you, 'ow about... rear admiral?
TODD: Too salty. I prefer general.
LOVETT: With, or without his privates? "With" is extra.
TODD: What is that?
LOVETT:
It's fop.
Finest in the shop.
And we have some shepherd's pie peppered
With actual shepherd on top!
And I've just begun --
Here's the politician, so oily
It's served with a doily,
Have one!
TODD:
Put it on a bun.
Well, you never know if it's going to run!
LOVETT:
Try the friar,
Fried, it's drier!
TODD:
No, the clergy is really
Too coarse and too mealy!
LOVETT:
Then actor,
That's compacter!
TODD:
Yes, and always arrives overdone!
I'll come again when you have JUDGE on the menu!
LOVETT: (spoken) Wait! True, we don't have judge yet,
But we've got something you might fancy even better.
TODD: What's that?
LOVETT: Executioner!
TODD:
Have charity towards the world, my pet!
LOVETT:
Yes, yes, I know, my love!
TODD:
We'll take the customers that we can get!
LOVETT:
High-born and low, my love!
TODD:
We'll not discriminate great from small!
No, we'll serve anyone,
Meaning anyone,
BOTH:
And to anyone
At all!



Daniel Terrell

At first, it's eat the rich. But the final verse is

[TODD]
We'll take the customers that we can get!

[MRS. LOVETT]
High-born and low, my love!

[TODD]
We'll not discriminate great from small!
No, we'll serve anyone
Meaning anyone!

[MRS. LOVETT/TODD]
And to anyone!
At all!



All comments from YouTube:

Holden

As much as I love Depp and Carter as actors, you can't beat these two. Cariou's voice is so deep and threatening, it's almost demonic, and Angela Lansbury sounds completely nuts. They're jut perfect for the roles.

Hyacinth

Yessss

Daniel Savio

I prefer George Hearn, but Cariou is great.

Onlooker of things

I'm a big Michael Ball and George Hearn fan myself

The Batman

It works for the movie. The tone is much darker, or so I'm told (never watched it, unfortunately), and it's a Tim Burton movie.

15 More Replies...

Another YouTube Patron

There were actually a lot of visitors to the Beast's castle over the years. Mrs. Potts just killed them all and brewed them in tea before the Beast found out they were there. How Belle and her father survived is still a mystery. We're all out of priest, but now you can try a little Beast.

Ty Jo

this is a great comment

jadesketch17

Oh gosh.oh no. oh no... o h n o im laughing and shooooked why am I laughing?

ClareLaBelleRose

This made my day.

CDraggy8DHD

Len is definitely my favorite Sweeney Todd, with nods to the others as well. He has quite a deep voice and is good at those really low notes Todd sings, which gives his version of the character that creepey sort of tone without having to make so intense. Plus his laughs in this song send shivers down my spine. Not to mention, Angela Lansbury! FREAKIN' ANGELA LANSBURY! MRS. POTTS A DERANGED PIEMAKER!!!

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