The Morning Report
The London Theatre Orchestra and Cast Lyrics


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It's an honor and a privilege, a duty I perform
With due sense of decorum and with pride
With deference and great respect very much the norm
Plus a hint of sycophancy on the side
To lay before my ruler all the facts about his role
To fill him in on all the beastly news

Yes, yes, Zazu, get on with it

In order that His Majesty stands sturdy at the helm
Aware of all the fauna's latest views

Zazu, the morning report

Yes, Sire, the morning report

Chimps are going ape, giraffes remain above it all
Elephants remember, though just what I can't recall
Crocodiles are snapping up fresh offers from the banks
Showed interest in my nest egg but I quickly said, "no thanks"
We haven't paid the horn bills and the vultures have a hunch
Not everyone invited will be coming back from lunch
This is the morning report
Gives you the long and the short
Every grunt, roar and snort
Not a tale I distort
On the morning report

What are you doing, son?

Pouncing

Ah, let an old pro show you how it's done

The buffalo have got a beef (stay low)
About this season's grass
Warthogs have been thwarted (to the ground)
In attempts to save their gas
Flamingos in the pink
Chasing secretary birds (not a sound)
Saffron is this season's color
Seen in all the herds
Moving down the rank and file (take it slow)
To near the bottom rung (one more step)
Far too many beetles are

Quite frankly in the dung (then pounce)
Ah, ah

This is the morning report
Gives you the long and the short
Every grunt, roar and snort
Not a tale I distort
On the morning report

This is the morning report
Gives you the long and the short
Every grunt, roar and snort




Not a tale I distort
On the morning report

Overall Meaning

"The Morning Report" from The Lion King is a lively and humorous song that delves into the responsibilities and duties of Zazu, the hornbill who serves as the loyal advisor to Mufasa, the king of the Pride Lands. The lyrics portray Zazu's task of presenting the morning report to the king with a sense of honor, privilege, and duty. There is an underlying tone of formality and respect in Zazu's role, as he ensures that Mufasa is well-informed of the latest happenings within the animal kingdom.


The lyrics also showcase Zazu's attention to detail as he recounts various comical incidents involving different animal groups. The song humorously describes the daily occurrences and interactions among the diverse wildlife in the Pride Lands, from chimps going ape to crocodiles exploring financial opportunities. Zazu's delivery of the morning report is not only informative but also entertaining, capturing the essence of the vibrant and dynamic ecosystem depicted in The Lion King.


As Zazu continues with the report, he meticulously informs Mufasa about the struggles and triumphs of each species, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the animal community. The playful wordplay and clever observations add a whimsical touch to the song, exemplifying the jovial and light-hearted spirit of the characters. Through his storytelling, Zazu not only fulfills his duty as an advisor but also injects humor and wit into his narrative, making the morning report an engaging and enjoyable experience for both Mufasa and the audience.


Overall, "The Morning Report" conveys themes of duty, loyalty, and the importance of staying informed in leadership roles. The song celebrates the diversity of the animal kingdom and highlights the intricacies and quirks of nature in a light-hearted manner. Zazu's dedication to his role as the royal advisor is portrayed with a mix of professionalism and humor, making the morning report a delightful and memorable part of The Lion King's musical narrative.


Line by Line Meaning

It's an honor and a privilege, a duty I perform
It is a prestigious and important task that I carry out


With due sense of decorum and with pride
I approach this task with proper etiquette and a sense of accomplishment


With deference and great respect very much the norm
I show respect and admiration as expected


Plus a hint of sycophancy on the side
In addition, I may show excessive flattery


To lay before my ruler all the facts about his role
To present all the necessary information to my king about his responsibilities


To fill him in on all the beastly news
To inform him about all the recent events in the animal kingdom


Chimps are going ape, giraffes remain above it all
Chimpanzees are acting wild, while giraffes maintain their composure


Elephants remember, though just what I can't recall
Elephants have good memory, but the exact details escape me


Crocodiles are snapping up fresh offers from the banks
Crocodiles are taking advantage of new opportunities for food


Showed interest in my nest egg but I quickly said, 'no thanks'
They considered taking my savings, but I declined


We haven't paid the horn bills and the vultures have a hunch
We owe money to the horn bills and the vultures suspect something


Not everyone invited will be coming back from lunch
Some animals may not return after going for lunch


The buffalo have got a beef (stay low)
The buffalo have an issue that needs to be addressed quietly


About this season's grass
They are concerned about the quality of the grass this season


Warthogs have been thwarted (to the ground)
Warthogs have been prevented from achieving their goals


In attempts to save their gas
Trying to preserve their energy


Flamingos in the pink
Flamingos are doing well


Chasing secretary birds (not a sound)
Pursuing their goals quietly


Saffron is this season's color
The color saffron is popular this season


Seen in all the herds
Visible in many groups of animals


Moving down the rank and file (take it slow)
Transitioning lower in hierarchy steadily


To near the bottom rung (one more step)
Approaching the lowest position in the group


Far too many beetles are
There are an excessive number of beetles in the area


Quite frankly in the dung (then pounce)
Honestly, they are in a messy situation




Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Elton John, Tim Rice

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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