Riddle Diddle (also titled as "Riddle Diddle 1, 2, 3") is a deleted song from the 1959 Disney animated feature film Sleeping Beauty.
Background[]
The song was originally going to be sung during the part where Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, the Three Good Fairies, are discussing with each other in a plan to prepare a party for Aurora's 16th birthday, but the song was cut for the final version. Throughout the song, Flora devises a plan for Merryweather and Fauna to do their parts in preparing a party for Aurora to which they sing their parts during the song.
Despite being deleted, the song was included in the 2008 Platinum Edition of Sleeping Beauty as well as the Sleeping Beauty-inspired album, Sleeping Beauty and Friends with a modern recording using the same lyrics used in it. Additionally, the song was also included in The Legacy Collection: Sleeping Beauty containing two versions: the original version sung by Verna Felton, Barbara Jo Allen, and Colenn Collins, as well as another modern recording performed by Cindy Robinson and Linda Kerns. For the final cut, however, while Felton and Jo Allen were officially casted as Flora and Fauna, Barbara Luddy replaced Collins for the role of Merryweather.
Lyrics[]
Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather:
When we're in a fix,
and don't know what to do
Then we count on magic
It always sees us through
Riddle diddle 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Riddle diddle 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Riddle diddle 1, 2, 3, 4, 3, 2, 1
The magic has begun
Riddle diddle 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
Riddle diddle 10, 8, 6, 4, 2
Riddle diddle 2, 4, 6, 8, 6, 4, 2
Will make our wish come true
Simple as the ABCs
But it's just the start
Now we have to count by threes
That's the hardest part
Riddle diddle 3, 6, 9, and 12
Riddle diddle 12, 9, 6, and 3
Riddle diddle 3, 2, 1, and when we're done
The magic works on three
Riddle diddle 1, 2, 3
(spoken)
Flora:
All right, dears, each in turn.
Remember, Merry, you're the cake.
Merryweather:
Oh, yes. Cake.
Well, here I go.
(sung)
Riddle diddle 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Riddle diddle 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Riddle diddle 1, 2, bake a birthday cake
When I say, "3, 2, 1"
Riddle diddle 3, 2, 1
(speaking)
Flora:
All right, Fauna. The dress.
Fauna:
Yes, I know. I know. I'm ready.
(sung)
Riddle diddle 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
Riddle diddle 10, 8, 6, 4, 2
Riddle diddle 3, 4, 5, the dress contrive
When I say, "6, 4, 2"
Riddle diddle 6, 4, 2
(speaking)
Flora:
Now the house.
Stand back, everybody. Give me room.
(sung)
Riddle diddle 3, 6, 9, and 12
Riddle diddle 12, 9, 6, and 3
Riddle diddle 1, 2 - Broom, clean up the room
When I say "1, 2, 3"
Riddle diddle 1, 2, 3
Trivia[]
- Although the song itself was deleted, an instrumental fragment from "Riddle Diddle" verse can be heard in the opening credits in the final version of the film after the "Once Upon a Dream" verse.
- The song's melody is largely based on the "Silver Fairy" theme from Act III of Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty ballet. Although the vocal version of this number was cut, the final version of the scene does use a rearranged instrumental from the original theme.
- The "Silver Fairy" theme is a recurring theme for the Three Good Fairies that plays throughout the film's score, like just before they present their gifts to the newborn Aurora and when they plan how to keep her safe from Maleficent.
