The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Out
Mr. Todd-
Out, I say out!
All this running and shouting
What is it now, dear?
I had him and then
And that sailor busted in
I saw them both running down the street
I had him!
His throat was there, beneath my hand
There, there, dear, don't fret
No, I had him!
His throat was there and he'll never come again
Easy now, hush, love, hush
I keep telling you
When?
What's your rush?
Why did I wait?
You told me to wait!
Now he'll never come again
There's a hole in the world like a great black pit
And it's filled with people who are filled with shit
And the vermin of the world inhabit it
But not for long
They all deserve to die
Tell you why, Mrs. Lovett, tell you why
Because in all of the whole human race
Mrs. Lovett, there are two kinds of men and only two
There's the one staying put in his proper place
And the one with his foot in the other one's face
Look at me, Mrs. Lovett, look at you
No, we all deserve to die
Even you, Mrs. Lovett, even I
Because the lives of the wicked should be made brief
For the rest of us death will be a relief
We all deserve to die
And I'll never see Johanna
No I'll never hug my girl to me
Finished!
Alright! You sir, how about a shave?
Come and visit your good friend, Sweeney
You sir, too sir?
Welcome to the grave
I will have vengeance
I will have salvation
Who, sir? You, sir?
No one's in the chair
Come on, come on!
Sweeney's waiting
I want you bleeders
You, sir! Anybody!
Gentlemen, now don't be shy!
Not one man, no, nor ten men
Nor a hundred can assuage me
I will have you!
And I will get him back, even as he gloats
In the meantime, I'll practice on less honorable throats
And my Lucy lies in ashes
And I'll never see my girl again!
But the work waits!
I'm alive at last!
And I'm full of joy!
Mr. Todd-
Out, I say out!
All this running and shouting
What is it now, dear?
I had him and then
And that sailor busted in
I saw them both running down the street
I had him!
His throat was there, beneath my hand
There, there, dear, don't fret
No, I had him!
His throat was there and he'll never come again
Easy now, hush, love, hush
I keep telling you
When?
What's your rush?
Why did I wait?
You told me to wait!
Now he'll never come again
There's a hole in the world like a great black pit
And it's filled with people who are filled with shit
And the vermin of the world inhabit it
But not for long
They all deserve to die
Tell you why, Mrs. Lovett, tell you why
Because in all of the whole human race
Mrs. Lovett, there are two kinds of men and only two
There's the one staying put in his proper place
And the one with his foot in the other one's face
Look at me, Mrs. Lovett, look at you
No, we all deserve to die
Even you, Mrs. Lovett, even I
Because the lives of the wicked should be made brief
For the rest of us death will be a relief
We all deserve to die
And I'll never see Johanna
No I'll never hug my girl to me
Finished!
Alright! You sir, how about a shave?
Come and visit your good friend, Sweeney
You sir, too sir?
Welcome to the grave
I will have vengeance
I will have salvation
Who, sir? You, sir?
No one's in the chair
Come on, come on!
Sweeney's waiting
I want you bleeders
You, sir! Anybody!
Gentlemen, now don't be shy!
Not one man, no, nor ten men
Nor a hundred can assuage me
I will have you!
And I will get him back, even as he gloats
In the meantime, I'll practice on less honorable throats
And my Lucy lies in ashes
And I'll never see my girl again!
But the work waits!
I'm alive at last!
And I'm full of joy!
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