There are a lot of popular songs in Dumbo – Baby Mine, Pink Elephants on Parade, When I See An Elephant Fly – but one that seems to get forgotten is Look Out For Mister Stork.
I can understand why because it is a bit of an odd song, but it’s a nice sequence and one that sets up the entire film.
Music and lyrics by Frank Churchill and Ned Washington
Look out for Mr. Stork
That persevering chap
He’ll come along and drop
A bundle in your lap
You may be poor or rich
It doesn’t matter which
Millionaires, they get theirs
Like the butcher and the baker
So look out for Mr. Stork
And let me tell you, friend
Don’t try to get away
He’ll find you in the end
He’ll spot you out in China or he’ll fly to County Cork
So you better look out for Mr. Stork
Look out for Mr. Stork
He’s got you on his list
And when he comes around
It’s useless to resist
Remember those quintuplets and the woman in the shoe
Maybe he’s got his eye on you
I’ve not watched Dumbo for ages now, so I’ll admit that I also forgot about this song for a while. However, it was after I heard it on Disney’s On The Record soundtrack that I started to like it.
What strikes me about this song is the melody. It’s very low and sombre, and I don’t know if I would use such a melody for what I consider to be hopeful and wishful lyrics. Although “maybe he’s got his eye on you” could be construed as being rather creepy and unnerving.
I don’t know.
Maybe any of you who are versed in music and compositions can give me some ideas about the pairing of the music and lyrics.
What do you think?
Thanks for reading and have a brazzle dazzle day!
xx
Once Upon A Disney Blog 