"Be Our Guest" is a song written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman for Disney's 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 Lumiere and Mrs. Potts, "Be Our Guest" is an up-tempo Broadway and cabaret-style song.
Summary
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
Lumiere:
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!
Be... our... guest!
Be our guest!
Put our service to the test
Tie your napkin 'round your neck, chérie
And we'll provide the rest
Soupe du jour
Hot hors-d'œuvres
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!
Lumiere and Chorus:
Beef ragout,
Cheese soufflé,
Pie and pudding "en flambé"
Lumiere:
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
Lumiere:
If you're stressed
It's fine dining we suggest!
Lumiere and Chorus:
Be our guest!
Be our guest!
Be our guest!
Lumiere:
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!
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
Lumiere and Chorus:
Course by course!
One by one!
'Til you shout...
Chorus:
Enough! I'm done!
Lumiere and Chorus:
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!
Lumiere:
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!
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!
Lumiere and Chorus:
Beef ragout,
Cheese soufflé,
Pie and pudding "en flambé"
Lumiere:
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
Lumiere:
If you're stressed
It's fine dining we suggest!
Lumiere and Chorus:
Be our guest!
Be our guest!
Be our guest!
Lumiere:
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
Lumiere 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
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!
Lumiere:
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!
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
Lumiere:
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!
Lumiere and Chorus:
Beef ragout
Cheese soufflé
Pie and pudding "en flambé"
Lumiere:
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
Lumiere:
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!
Lumiere:
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!
Lumiere:
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!
Lumiere:
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!
Lumiere and Chorus:
Beef ragout,
Cheese soufflé,
Pie and pudding "en flambé"
Lumiere:
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
Lumiere:
If you're stressed
It's fine dining we suggest!
Lumiere 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
Lumiere 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!
Lumiere:
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
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
Lumiere:
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!
Lumiere:
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!
Lumiere 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
Lumiere 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
Lumiere 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!
Timon:
Ma chère Mademoiselle,
It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure
That we proudly present -
Your dinner!
Be... our... guest!
(ends abruptly with the hyenas chasing Timon and Pumbaa)
Trivia
- In one scene, the plates make a reconstruction of the Eiffel Tower, which is historically inaccurate as it had yet to be 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. Despite this, however, most of the lyrics were not changed.
- Footage of Angela Lansbury recording the original version of the song can be seen in the Beauty and the Beast trailer on the 1991 VHS release of The Jungle Book and the end credits sequence for Waking Sleeping Beauty.
- This song shares the same tune with the song "Les Poissons", sung by the chef in the movie The Little Mermaid.
- The melody to this song was originally played as a rough ditty from Alan Menken, to give lyricist Howard Ashman a general idea of the style of the song. When the time came to actually put music to the lyrics, Alan Menken soon realized that the ditty he played worked with the lyrics that Howard Ashman had written.
- 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!")
- A brief instrumental arrangement of the song can be heard at the beginning of the Milo Murphy's Law episode "Secrets and Pies".
- An instrumental version of it can be heard in the scene where the servants fend off the angry mob.
- In the climax of the 2019 adaptation of The Lion King, Timon, distracting the hyenas so Simba and Nala can get past them, says the opening monologue when introducing Pumbaa he sings "Be our..." but then screams at Pumbaa to run away as he does.
- A Hawaiian-language version of the song appears on Mele from Aunty's Beach House as "Noho Mai" (literally translated as "Come on in").
- The original draft version was also sung in Mickey's PhilharMagic.
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