"The Perfect Nanny" is a song in the film Mary Poppins sung by Jane and Michael Banks.
Lyrics[]
Jane (spoken):
Wanted a nanny for two adorable children
(sung)
If you want this choice position
Have a cheery disposition
Rosy cheeks, no warts
Michael (spoken):
That's the part I put in
Jane (sung):
Play games, all sorts
You must be kind, you must be witty
Very sweet and fairly pretty
Take us on outings, give us treats
Sing songs, bring sweets
Never be cross or cruel
Never give us castor oil or gruel
Love us as a son and daughter
And never smell of barley water
Michael (spoken):
I put that in, too
Jane (sung):
If you won't scold and dominate us
We will never give you cause to hate us
We won't hide your spectacles
So you can't see
Put toads in your bed
Or pepper in your tea
Hurry, Nanny!
Many thanks
Sincerely,
Jane and Michael (sung):
Jane and Michael Banks.
If you want this choice position
You must have a cheery disposition
Rosy cheeks, no warts
Play games, all sorts
You must be kind, you must be witty
Very sweet and very pretty
Teach us tricks, give us treats
Sing songs, bring sweets
Never be cross or cruel
Never feed us castor oil or gruel
Love us as a son and daughter
And never, never smell of barley water
If you won't scold and dominate us
We will never give you cause to hate us
We won't hide your spectacles
So you can't see
Put frogs in your bed
Or pepper in your tea
Hurry, Nanny!
Many thanks
Sincerely,
Jane and Michael Banks.
Jane (spoken):
Wanted :a nanny for two adorable children.
George (spoken) Adorable? Well that’s debatable, I must say.
Jane:(sung)
If you want this choice position
Have a cheery disposition
Rosy cheeks, no warts
Michael (spoken):
That's the part I put in
Jane (sung):
Play games, all sorts
You must be kind, you must be witty
Very sweet and fairly pretty
George: Of all the ridiculous-
Winifred: George, please
Jane (sung):
Take us on outings, give us treats.
Michael (sung):
Sing songs, bring sweets
Never be cross or cruel
Never give us castor oil or gruel
Jane (sung):
Love us as a son and daughter
Michael (sung):
And never smell of barley water
Michael (spoken):
I put that in, too
Jane (sung):
If you won't scold and dominate us
We will never give you cause to hate us
We won't hide your spectacles
So you can't see
Michael (sung):
Put toads in your bed
Or pepper in your tea
Jane (sung):
Hurry, Nanny.
Many thanks
Jane and Michael (sung):
Sincerely,
Jane (sung):
Jane
Michael (sung):
and Michael!
Jane and Michael (sung):
Banks.
Trivia[]
- In 2018, Karen Dotrice made a cameo appearance in Mary Poppins Returns, asking directions of Jane, now an adult and played by Emily Mortimer. Her response, "Many thanks, sincerely," is a quotation from the song.
