Be Our Guest

"Be Our Guest" is a song written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman for Walt Disney Pictures' thirtieth animated feature film Beauty and the Beast. Originally recorded by American actor Jerry Orbach and English actress Angela Lansbury in their film roles as the characters Lumière and Mrs. Potts, "Be Our Guest" is an up-tempo Broadway and cabaret-style song.

Plot
In the film, the song is performed in the style of a large-scale musical number by the castle's staff of enchanted servants to Belle in an attempt to make her feel welcome. This was against the Beast's orders, prompting Cogsworth to try and put an end to the spectacle—despite getting into the fun eventually.

Lyrics
Film Version= Lumière: Ma cherie Mademoiselle, It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure That we welcome you tonight. And now, we invite you to relax, Let us pull up a chair As the dining room proudly presents - Your dinner!

Be... our... guest!

Be our guest! Put our service to the test Tie your napkin 'round your neck, cherie And we'll provide the rest

Soup du jour Hot hors d'oeuvres Why, we only live to serve Try the grey stuff It's delicious! Don't believe me? Ask the dishes

They can sing! They can dance! After all, Miss, this is France! And the dinner here is never second best!

Go on, unfold your menu Take a glance and then you'll Be our guest Oui, our guest Be our guest!

Lumière and Chorus: Beef ragout, Cheese soufflé, Pie and pudding "en flambé" Lumière: We'll prepare and serve with flair A culinary cabaret!

You're alone And you're scared But the banquet's all prepared No one's gloomy or complaining While the flatware's entertaining

We tell jokes, I do tricks! With my fellow candlesticks

Chorus: And it's all in perfect taste That you can bet

Come on and lift your glass You've won your own free pass To be our guest

Lumière: If you're stressed It's fine dining we suggest!

Lumière and Chorus: Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!

Lumière: Life is so unnerving For a servant who's not serving He's not whole without a soul to wait upon Ah, those good old days when we were useful Suddenly those good old days are gone

Ten years we've been rusting Needing so much more than dusting Needing exercise, a chance to use our skills! Most days we just lay around the castle Flabby, fat and lazy You walked in, and oops-a-daisy!

Mrs. Potts: It's a guest! It's a guest! Sakes alive, well I'll be blessed! Wine's been poured and thank the Lord I've had the napkins freshly pressed

With dessert She'll want tea And my dear that's fine with me While the cups do their soft-shoein' I'll be bubbling, I'll be brewing

I'll get warm Piping hot Heaven's sakes! Is that a spot? Clean it up! We want the company impressed

We've got a lot to do! Is it one lump or two? For you, our guest! Chorus: She's our guest! Mrs. Potts: She's our guest! Chorus: She's our guest!

Chorus: Be our guest Be our guest Our command is your request It's ten years since we've had anybody here And we're obsessed

With your meal With your ease Yes, indeed, we aim to please While the candlelight's still glowing Let us help you We'll keep going

Lumière and chorus: Course by course! One by one! 'Til you shout, Enough! I'm done! Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest

Tonight you'll prop your feet up But for now, let's eat up Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest! Please, be our guest! Lumière: Esteemed monsieur, It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure That we welcome you tonight. And now, we invite you to relax, Let us pull up a chair As the dining room proudly presents - Your dinner!
 * -|Original Draft=

Be... our... guest!

Be our guest! Put our service to the test Tie your napkin 'round your neck, monsieur And we'll provide the rest

Soup du jour Hot hors d'oeuvres Sir, we only live to serve Try the grey stuff It's delicious! Don't believe me? Ask the dishes

They can sing! They can dance! After all, sir, this is France! And the dinner here is never second best!

Go on, unfold your menu Take a glance and then you'll Be our guest Oui, our guest Be our guest!

Lumière and Chorus: Beef ragout, Cheese soufflé, Pie and pudding "en flambé" Lumière: We'll prepare and serve with flair A culinary cabaret!

Yes, you're cold Yes, you're wet But we'll help you to forget You won't know outside it's storming When the silverware's preforming!

We tell jokes, I do tricks! With my fellow candlesticks

Chorus: And it's all in perfect taste That you can bet

Come on and lift your glass You've won your own free pass To be our guest

Lumière: If you're stressed It's fine dining we suggest!

Lumière and Chorus: Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!

Lumière: Life is so unnerving For a servant who's not serving He's not whole without a soul to wait upon Ah, those good old days when we were useful Suddenly those good old days are gone

Ten years we've been rusting Needing so much more than dusting Needing exercise, a chance to use our skills! Most days we just lay around the castle Flabby, fat and lazy You walked in, and oops-a-daisy!

Mrs. Potts: It's a guest! It's a guest! Sakes alive, well I'll be blessed! Wine's been poured and thank the Lord I've had the napkins freshly pressed

With dessert You'll want tea And my dear that's fine with me While the cups do their soft-shoein' I'll be bubbling, I'll be brewing

I'll get warm Piping hot Heaven's sakes! Is that a spot? Clean it up! We want the company impressed

Chorus: We've got a lot to do! Mrs. Potts: Is it one lump or two? For you, our guest! Chorus: He's our guest! Mrs. Potts: He's our guest! Chorus: He's our guest!

Chorus: Be our guest Be our guest Our command is your request It's been ten years since we've had anybody here And we're obsessed

With your meal With your ease Yes, indeed, we aim to please While the candlelight's still glowing Let us help you We'll keep going

Lumière and chorus: Course by course! One by one! 'Til you shout, "Enough! I'm done!" Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest

Tonight you'll prop your feet up But for now, sir, eat up Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest! Please, be our guest! Be... our... guest Be our guest Put our service to the test Tie your napkin 'round your neck, monsieur And we provide the rest
 * -|Demo Version=

Soup du jour Hot hors d'oeuvres Sir, we only live to serve Try the grey stuff! It's delicious Don't believe me? Ask the dishes

They can sing They can dance After all, sir, this is France And the dinner here is never second best

Go on, unfold your menu Take a glance and then you'll Be our guest Oui, our guest Be our guest!

Beef ragout Cheese soufflé Pie and pudding en paté We'll prepare and serve with flair A culinary cabaret!

Yes, you're cold Yes, you're wet But we'll help you to forget You won't know outside it's storming When the silverware's preforming!

He tells jokes I do tricks With my fellow candlesticks And it's all in perfect taste That you can bet

Come on and lift your glass You've won your own free pass To be our guest! If you're stressed It's fine dining we suggest Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!

Not so long ago, sir, this was our career Light the chandelier Ah, what atmosphere! Serving you, we can recapture yesteryear Raise the lid Let's see what have we here Oh, my dear!

This is fish, this is not But you'll like it quite a lot Slice it thickly, eat it quickly It's much better when it's hot Try the bread! Try the soup! When the croutons loop-de-loop It's a treat for any diner Don't believe me? Ask the china

Singing pork, dancing veal What an entertaining meal How could anyone be gloomy or depressed? We'll make you shout, "Encore!" And send us out for more! So, be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!

Life is so unnerving For a servant who's not serving He's not whole without a soul to wait upon Ah, those good old days when we were useful Suddenly, those good old days are gone

Ten years, we've been rusting Needing so much more than dusting Needing exercise, a chance to use our skills! Most days we just lay around the castle Flabby, fat and lazy You walked in, and ups-a-daisy!

It's a guest! It's a guest! Sakes alive, well, I'll be blessed! Wine's been poured and thank the Lord I've had the napkins freshly pressed

With dessert He'll want tea And my dear that's fine with me While the cups do their soft-shoeing I'll be bubbling, I'll be brewing

I'll get warm Piping hot Heaven's sake! Is that a spot? Clean it up; we want the company impressed We've got a lot to do! Is it one lump or two?

For you, our guest! He's our guest! He's our guest! Be our guest!

Be our guest! Be our guest! Get your worries off your chest Let us say for your entrée We've an array; may we suggest: Breast of grouse, several quail Or the goose? It's never-fail What a treat our vinaigrette is Why, it's much too good for lettuce

Chicken leg? Ready, pull! We won't quit until you're full We delight in ev'ry bite that you ingest We've got a rare supply So don't you dare be shy No, be our guest Be our guest Be our guest

Be our guest, be our guest Our command is your request It's ten years since we've had anybody here And we're obsessed

With your meal, With your ease Yes, indeed, we aim to please While the candlelight's still glowing Let us help you We'll keep going

Course by course, one by one! 'Til you shout, "Enough! I'm done!" Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest

Tonight you'll prop your feet up But for now, sir, eat up Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest! Please, be our guest! Lumière: Ma chere Mademoiselle, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight. And now we invite you to relax, let us pull up a chair as the dining room proudly presents - your dinner!
 * -|Broadway Version=

Be our guest! Be our guest! Put our service to the test Tie your napkin 'round your neck, cherie And we'll provide the rest Soup du jour Hot hors d'oeuvres Why, we only live to serve Try the grey stuff Chip: It's delicious

Lumière: Don't believe me? Ask the dishes They can sing, they can dance After all, Miss, this is France And a dinner here is never second best Go on, unfold your menu Take a glance and then you'll Be our guest Oui, our guest Be our guest!

Lumière and Chorus: Beef ragout Cheese soufflé Pie and pudding "en flambé"

Lumière: We'll prepare and serve with flair A culinary cabaret! You're alone And you're scared But the banquet's all prepared No one's gloomy or complaining While the flatware's entertaining We tell jokes! I do tricks With my fellow candlesticks

Chorus: And it's all in perfect taste That you can bet Come on and lift your glass You've won your own free pass To be out guest

Lumière: If you're stressed It's fine dining we suggest

Chorus: Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest! Get your worries off your chest Let us say for your entrée We've an array; may we suggest: Try the bread! Try the soup! When the croutons loop de loop It's a treat for any diner Don't believe me? Ask the china Singing pork! Dancing veal! What an entertaining meal! How could anyone be gloomy and depressed? We'll make you shout "encore!" And send us out for more So, be our guest!

Lumière: Be our guest! Chorus: Be our guest!

Mrs. Potts: It's a guest! It's a guest! Sakes alive, well I'll be blessed! Wine's been poured and thank the Lord I've had the napkins freshly pressed With dessert, she'll want tea And my dear that's fine with me While the cups do their soft-shoein' I'll be bubbling, I'll be brewing I'll get warm, piping hot Heaven's sakes! Is that a spot? Clean it up! We want the company impressed

Chorus: We've got a lot to do! Mrs. Potts: Is it one lump or two? For you, our guest! Chorus: She's our guest! Mrs. Potts: She's our guest! Chorus: She's our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!

Lumière: Life is so unnerving For a servant who's not serving He's not whole without a soul to wait upon Ah, those good old days when we were useful... Suddenly those good old days are gone Ten years we've been rusting Needing so much more than dusting Needing exercise, a chance to use our skills! Most days we just lay around the castle Flabby, fat and lazy You walked in and oops-a-daisy!

Chorus: Be our guest! Be our guest! Our command is your request It's been years since we've had anybody here And we're obsessed With your meal, with your ease Yes, indeed, we aim to please While the candlelight's still glowing Let us help you, We'll keep going Course by course, one by one 'Til you shout, "Enough! I'm done!" Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest Tonight you'll prop your feet up But for now, let's eat up Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest! Please, be our guest! Lumière: Ma cherie Mademoiselle, It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure That we welcome you tonight. And now, we invite you to relax, Let us pull up a chair As the dining room proudly presents - Your dinner!
 * -|Disney On Ice Version=

Be... our... guest! Be our guest! Put our service to the test Tie your napkin 'round your neck, cherie And we'll provide the rest

Soup du jour Hot hors d'oeuvres Why, we only live to serve Try the grey stuff It's delicious! Don't believe me? Ask the dishes

They can sing! They can dance! After all, miss, this is France! And the dinner here is never second best!

Go on, unfold your menu Take a glance and then you'll Be our guest Oui, our guest Be our guest!

Lumière and Chorus: Beef ragout, Cheese soufflé, Pie and pudding "en flambé" Lumière: We'll prepare and serve with flair A culinary cabaret!

You're alone And you're scared But the banquet's all prepared No one's gloomy or complaining While the flatware's entertaining

We tell jokes, I do tricks! With my fellow candlesticks Chorus: And it's all in perfect taste That you can bet

Come on and lift your glass You've won your own free pass To be our guest Lumière: If you're stressed It's fine dining we suggest! Lumière and Chorus: Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!

Chorus: Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!

Chorus: Be our guest Be our guest Our command is your request It's been years since we've had anybody here And we're obsessed

With your meal With your ease Yes, indeed, we aim to please While the candlelight's still glowing Let us help you We'll keep going

Lumière and chorus: Course by course! One by one! 'Til you shout, "Enough! I'm done!" Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest

Tonight you'll prop your feet up But for now, let's eat up Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest! Please, be our guest!

Chorus: Be our guest! Lumière: Ma chère Mademoiselle, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight. And now, we invite you to relax. Let us pull up a chair, as the dining room proudly presents... your dinner
 * -|2017 version=

Be our guest, Be our guest! Put our service to the test Tie your napkin 'round your neck, cherie And we'll provide the rest Soup du jour Hot hors d'oeuvres Why, we only live to serve Try the grey stuff, it's delicious Don't believe me? Ask the dishes

They can sing, they can dance After all, Miss, this is France And a dinner here is never second best Go on, unfold your menu Take a glance and then you'll Be our guest Oui, our guest Be our guest!

Beef ragout Cheese soufflé Pie and pudding, en flambé We'll prepare and serve with flair A culinary cabaret!

You're alone And you're scared But the banquet's all prepared No one's gloomy or complaining While the flatware's entertaining We tell jokes! I do tricks With my fellow candlesticks!

Chorus: And it's all in perfect taste That you can bet

Lumière: Come on and lift your glass You've won your own free pass To be our guest If you're stressed It's fine dining we suggest Be our guest!

Chorus: Be our guest! Be our guest!

Lumière: Life is so unnerving For a servant who's not serving He's not whole without a soul to wait upon Ah, those good old days when we were useful —Eh, Cogsworth? Suddenly those good old days are gone

Too long, we've been rusting Needing so much more than dusting Needing exercise, a chance to use our skills Most days, we just lay around the castle Flabby, fat, and lazy You walked in and oops-a-daisy

Mrs. Potts: It's a guest! It's a guest! Sake's alive, well I'll be blessed! Wine's been poured and thank the Lord I've had the napkins freshly pressed With dessert, she'll want tea And my dear, that's fine with me While the cups do their soft-shoein' I'll be bubbling, I'll be brewing

I'll get warm, piping hot Heaven's sakes! Is that a spot? Clean it up! We want the company impressed! We've got a lot to do Is it one lump or two? For you, our guest!

 Lumière and chorus: She's our guest!

Mrs. Potts: She's our guest!

Cogsworth and chorus: She's our guest!

Plumette and chorus: Be our guest! Be our guest! Our command is your request It's been years since we've had anybody here And we're obsessed

Lumière and chorus: With your meal, with your ease Yes, indeed, we aim to please While the candlelight's still glowing Let us help you, we'll keep going

Cogsworth and chorus: Course by

Lumière and chorus: Course! One by one 'Til you shout, "Enough! I'm done!" Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest Tonight, you'll prop your feet up But for now, let's eat up Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest! Please, be our guest!

Trivia

 * In one scene, the plates make a reconstruction of the Eiffel Tower, which is historically inaccurate (it was not yet built in the time in which the movie takes place).
 * The song was originally written by Ashman and Menken to be sung by the enchanted objects to Maurice instead of Belle. However, story artist Bruce Woodside felt that the song would make more sense if it was sung to Belle, the main character, as opposed to secondary character Maurice, and directors Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale agreed.
 * This song shares the same tune with the song "Les Poissons", sung by the chef in the movie The Little Mermaid.
 * The song was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and an Academy Award in the same category, but lost both to the title song from the film.
 * This song was the title song for the tape, Disney Sing Along Songs: Be Our Guest.
 * In the European Spanish dub, this song is called "Que Festín!" ("What a Feast!")
 * The original film and Broadway versions are probably performed similarly to the song, "The Three Caballeros" in many ways.
 * They are both sung by well-cultured characters who sing strong at the end (Lumière, Panchito Pistoles) accompanied by special effects. The singers also have best friends who tend to join in the song and dance (Cogsworth, José Carioca).
 * A brief instrumental arrangement of the song can be heard at the beginning of the Milo Murphy's Law episode "Secrets and Pies".
 * Although the song's recipient as noted above was changed from Maurice to Belle in the final film, some hints at who the intended recipient was nonetheless remained in the lyrics.
 * An Oscar-themed rendition of the song was performed by Seth MacFarlane at the 85th Academy Awards.

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