Sing For Your Supper
In this swinging trio from The Boys from Syracuse, neglected wives Adriana, Luciana and Luce commiserate about the sweet song they must sing to keep their marriages afloat.
The song was introduced in 1938 by Muriel Angelus, Marcy Westcott and Wynn Murray singing a sophisticated vocal arrangement by Hugh Martin. Subsequent renditions include recordings by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, Count Basie, Mel Tormé, The Mamas and the Papas, and Cher.
COVERS & POP CULTURE
LISTEN
LISTEN
“Sing For Your Supper” LYRICS
Adriana:
Hawks and crows do lots of things
Luciana:
But the canary only sings.
Luce:
She is a courtesan on wings,
All:
So I’ve heard.
Luce:
Eagles and storks are twice as strong.
Adriana:
All the canary knows is song.
Luciana:
But the canary gets along –
All:
Gilded bird!
Adriana:
Sing for your supper, and you’ll get breakfast.
Songbirds always eat,
If their song is sweet to hear.
Sing for your luncheon, and you’ll get dinner.
Dine with wine of choice,
If romance is in your voice.
I heard from a wise canary,
Trilling makes a fellow willing.
So, little swallow, swallow now.
Now is the time to
Sing for your supper, and you’ll get breakfast.
Songbirds are not dumb.
They don’t buy a crumb of bread,
It’s said,
So sing and you’ll be fed.
Luce:
Sing for your supper, and you’ll get breakfast.
Songbirds always eat,
If their song is sweet to hear.
Sing for your luncheon, and you’ll get dinner.
Dine with wine of choice,
If romance is in your voice.
I heard from a wise canary,
Trilling makes you willing.
So, little swallow, swallow now.
Now is the time to
Sing for your supper, and you’ll get breakfast.
Songbirds are not dumb.
They don’t buy a crumb of bread,
It’s said,
So sing and you’ll be fed.
All:
Sing for your supper, and you’ll get breakfast.
Songbirds always eat,
If their song is sweet to hear.
Sing for your luncheon, and you’ll get dinner.
Dine with wine of choice,
If romance is in your voice.
I heard from a wise canary,
Trilling makes the fellow willing,
So, little swallow, swallow now.
Now is the time to
Sing for your supper, and you’ll get breakfast.
Songbirds are not dumb.
They don’t have to buy a crumb of bread,
A spool of thread,
Just sing instead.
You don’t have to buy even a crumb of bread,
It’s said.
You’ll be fed if you sing…
(Scat)
If you dance…
So sing and you’ll be fed!
"Sing For Your Supper" by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart
©1938 by Chappell & Co., Inc. Copyright Renewed.
International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.