Sweeney Todd is a villain appearing in various English language works starting in the mid-19th century as a barber and an early example of a serial killer. His weapon is a straight razor (or cut-throat razor in British English), with which he slits his victims' throats. In some versions of the story Mrs. Lovett, who is his partner in crime and variously his friend or lover (and whose first name is variously Marjorie, Sarah, Nellie, Shirley or Claudette) hides the crimes by butchering the corpses of Todd's victims, baking their flesh into meat pies, and selling them to unknowing customers. He is also assisted by an unwitting apprentice lad named Tobias Ragg, who later aids in unmasking his crimes. In most recent versions of the story, Sweeney either helps or hinders (sometimes both) the love affair of a young woman, Johanna Oakley and a sailor named Mark Ingesterie or more commonly known as Antony Hope. In the musical stage production and 2007 film, Johanna is Todd's daughter Johanna Barker.
Sweeney Todd may not be a wholly fictional character. In two books, Peter Haining argues that Sweeney Todd was an historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800. Nevertheless, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. There is, however, a similar story reputed to have occurred on the Rue de la Harpe in Paris that likely influenced the stories of Todd as well.
Sweeney Todd may not be a wholly fictional character. In two books, Peter Haining argues that Sweeney Todd was an historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800. Nevertheless, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. There is, however, a similar story reputed to have occurred on the Rue de la Harpe in Paris that likely influenced the stories of Todd as well.
Alms Alms
Beggar Woman
Alms, alms for a miserable woman!
On a miserable chilly morning
Thank ya, sir thank ya
Antony (spoken)
Mam, could you tell me who’s house this is?
Beggar Woman (spoken)
That? That's the great Judge Turpin's house, that is.
Antony (spoken)
And the young lady who resides there?
Beggar Woman (spoken)
Oh her? That' Johanna, his pretty little ward...
Keeps her snug he does. All locked up.
So don't you go trespassin' there or it’s a good whipping for you
or any other young man with mischief on his mind!
(sung)
How would ya like a little muff dear
A little jig jig. A little bounce around the bush.
Wouldja like to push me parsley? It looks to me dear that you got plenty there to push.
Alms! Alms! For a desperate woman!
Beggar Woman
Alms, alms for a miserable woman!
On a miserable chilly morning
Thank ya, sir thank ya
Antony (spoken)
Mam, could you tell me who’s house this is?
Beggar Woman (spoken)
That? That's the great Judge Turpin's house, that is.
Antony (spoken)
And the young lady who resides there?
Beggar Woman (spoken)
Oh her? That' Johanna, his pretty little ward...
Keeps her snug he does. All locked up.
So don't you go trespassin' there or it’s a good whipping for you
or any other young man with mischief on his mind!
(sung)
How would ya like a little muff dear
A little jig jig. A little bounce around the bush.
Wouldja like to push me parsley? It looks to me dear that you got plenty there to push.
Alms! Alms! For a desperate woman!
Johanna:
Green finch, and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
How is it you sing?
How can you jubilate
sitting in cages
never taking wing?
Outside the sky waits
beckoning!
Beckoning!
Just beyond the bars...
How can you remain
staring at the rain
maddened by the stars?
How is it you sing
anything?
How is it you sing?
Green finch. and linnet bird,
nightingale, blackbird
How is it you sing?
Whence comes this melody
constantly floating?
Is it rejoicing or merely aloaming?
Are you discussing?
Or fussing?
Or simply dreaming?
Are you crowing?
Are you screaming?
Ringdove and robinet
is it for wages?
Singing to be sold?
Have you decided it's safer in cages
singing when you're told?
My cage has many rooms
damask and dark...
Nothing there sings,
not even my lark.
Larks never will, you know,
when they're captive.
Teach me to be more
adaptive.
Ah...
Green Finch, and Linnet Bird,
nightingale, blackbird,
teach me how to sing.
If I cannot fly...
Let me sing.
Green finch, and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
How is it you sing?
How can you jubilate
sitting in cages
never taking wing?
Outside the sky waits
beckoning!
Beckoning!
Just beyond the bars...
How can you remain
staring at the rain
maddened by the stars?
How is it you sing
anything?
How is it you sing?
Green finch. and linnet bird,
nightingale, blackbird
How is it you sing?
Whence comes this melody
constantly floating?
Is it rejoicing or merely aloaming?
Are you discussing?
Or fussing?
Or simply dreaming?
Are you crowing?
Are you screaming?
Ringdove and robinet
is it for wages?
Singing to be sold?
Have you decided it's safer in cages
singing when you're told?
My cage has many rooms
damask and dark...
Nothing there sings,
not even my lark.
Larks never will, you know,
when they're captive.
Teach me to be more
adaptive.
Ah...
Green Finch, and Linnet Bird,
nightingale, blackbird,
teach me how to sing.
If I cannot fly...
Let me sing.
Well It "started" off at this place called great Yarmouth me and my brothers Jo and Calum and also mum went to the "waxworks" and then we went to the horror part there was other people and stuff aswell by the way and well,there he was he is soo "cute"!! I fell in !"love" with him at the start so it was love at first sight I "LOVE" HIM!!! (By the way I "HATE" "Mrs Lovett" he is "MINE"!!)P.S Sorry about the spelling mistakes if there was any. PLEASE COMMENT BY THE WAY CHEERS :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)