The Meek Shall Inherit is a song in the musical.
The song's purpose is of Seymour getting guilt and worrying that he is only getting fame and fortune from Audrey II, who is a hungry plant that wants blood. It is sung by Seymour, Several agents, and the chorus girls Crystal, Ronette, and Chiffon test Seymour into the pivotal Faustian pact of the show. Seymour fights with himself about morality vs. material gain. At the end of the song, Seymour, metaphorically and actually, signs over his soul in order to keep the success all for Audrey's love, that he believes only exists in the presence of all his recently acquired money and success.
Variations[]
The version that appears in the 1986 film is severely truncated. An elaborate fantasy sequence with Seymour's soliloquy was shot but ultimately cut from the movie. However, the full version appears on the soundtrack album and on a copy from the workprint is featured on You Tube. As a post-script, director Frank Oz provided the voices for the agents who ask "Canapé?" "Cigarette?"
The versions featured on the 1982 Off-Broadway and 2003 Broadway cast albums have the same hook and soliloquy, but the parts of various media players are drastically different - and the 2003 version is nearly double the length of the 1982 version. In the stage play, the actor playing Orin does comically quick costume changes as the urchins sing the hook, and he then portrays Bernstein, Skip Snip and Mrs. Luce (the latter of whom was inexplicably omitted from the 1982 album).
Additionally, there's a short reprise performed by the Patrick Martin character which didn't make it past the demo stage.
Lyrics[]
On desktop devices, click the tabs to toggle between variations of the lyrics.
This is the original version that appeared on the 1982 Off-Broadway Cast Album.
Crystal, Chiffon, Ronnette | Seymour | Skip Snip | Bernstein |
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Seymour Krelborn! | |||
They say the meek shall inherit, |
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Seymour Krelborn, |
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My future's starting, I've got to let it, |
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They say the meek shall inherit | |||
Where do I sign? | |||
You know the book doesn't lie | |||
Right on the line. | |||
It's not a question of merit | |||
That'll do fine. | |||
It's not demand and supply | |||
This copy's mine. | |||
You'll make a fortune, we swear it. | |||
Couldn't go wrong. | |||
If on this fact you rely | |||
Bye bye! So long! | |||
You know the meek are gonna get
What's comin' to 'em! |
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You know the meek are gonna get |
You know the meek are gonna get |
This is the short version as it exists in the movie.
Crystal, Chiffon, Ronnette | Agents (Male) | Agents (Female) |
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(Spoken) Seymour Krelborn, so finally we meet you | ||
This is an occasion, let's toast it, | ||
Up yours, | ||
Relax, | ||
Canape? | ||
Cigarette? | ||
Let's talk turkey, | ||
Sign here and we'll book you on lecturing tours. | ||
(Spoken) Yes darling, | ||
We're sending | ||
Photographers Thursday | ||
So get the plant ready and wear a clean shirt. | ||
Just sign this release. | ||
Need a pen? | ||
Aren't you thrilled? | ||
It's the cover of Life Magazine! | ||
Dessert? | ||
I'm telling you son, it's a cinch to get ratings. | ||
The title is Marvin's, | ||
The concept is mine, | ||
The first weekly gardening show on a network | ||
And you're gonna host it, | ||
you lucky kid, | ||
Sign! | ||
(Singing) They say the meek shall inherit, | ||
You know the book doesn't lie. | ||
It's not a question of merit, | ||
It's not demand and supply, | ||
They say the meek gonna get it. | ||
You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | (Singing) You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | (Singing) You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them |
You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them |
You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them |
By | By | By |
And | And | And |
By! | By! | By! |
This is the complete version from the movie's soundtrack album.
Crystal, Chiffon, Ronnette | Seymour | Agents (Male) | Agents (Female) |
---|---|---|---|
(Spoken) Seymour Krelborn, so finally we meet you | |||
This is an occasion, let's toast it, | |||
Up yours, | |||
Relax, | |||
Canape? | |||
Cigarette? | |||
Let's talk turkey, | |||
Sign here and we'll book you on lecturing tours. | |||
(Spoken) Yes darling, | |||
We're sending | |||
Photographers Thursday | |||
So get the plant ready and wear a clean shirt. | |||
Just sign this release. | |||
Need a pen? | |||
Aren't you thrilled? | |||
It's the cover of Life Magazine! | |||
Dessert? | |||
I'm telling you son, it's a cinch to get ratings. | |||
The title is Marvin's, | |||
The concept is mine, | |||
The first weekly gardening show on a network | |||
And you're gonna host it, | |||
you lucky kid, | |||
Sign! | |||
(Singing) They say the meek shall inherit, | |||
You know the book doesn't lie. | |||
It's not a question of merit, | |||
It's not demand and supply, | |||
They say the meek gonna get it. | |||
(Singing) And you're a meek little guy! | |||
You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them, | |||
By and by! | |||
My future's starting, | |||
I've got to let it. | |||
Stick with that plant, | |||
And, gee, | |||
My bank account will thrive, | |||
What am I saying? | |||
No way, forget it! | |||
It's much too dangerous | |||
To keep that plant alive! | |||
I take these offers, | |||
That means more killing. | |||
Who knew success would come with messy, nasty strings. | |||
I sign these contracts, | |||
That means I'm willing, | |||
To keep on doing bloody, awful, evil things | |||
No! | |||
No! | |||
There's only so far you can bend. | |||
No! | |||
No! | |||
This nightmare must come to an end! | |||
No! | |||
No! | |||
You've got no alternative, | |||
Seymour, old boy | |||
Though it means you'll be broke again and unemployed | |||
It's the only solution, it can't be avoided | |||
The vegetable must be destroyed | |||
But then, | |||
There's Audrey, | |||
Lovely Audrey | |||
If life were tawdry, and impoverished as before | |||
She might not like me, | |||
She might not want me, | |||
Without my plant, | |||
She might not love me anymore | |||
They say the meek shall inherit | |||
(Spoken) Where do I sign? | |||
You know the book doesn't lie | |||
Right on the line | |||
It's not a question of merit | |||
Your pen or mine? | |||
It's not demand and supply | |||
Autograph mine. | |||
You'll make a fortune, we swear it. | |||
Couldn't go wrong. | Couldn't go wrong. | ||
If on this fact you rely | |||
Bye-Bye, so-long | Bye-Bye, so-long | ||
You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | (Singing) You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | |
You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | |
You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | |
By | By | By | |
And | And | And | |
By! | By! | By! |
This is the version from the 2003 Broadway album.
Seymour | Bernstein, Mrs.Luce, Skip Snip | Crystal | Ronnette | Chiffon |
---|---|---|---|---|
(Spoken) There he is girls! | ||||
I found him! There's Seymour! | ||||
(Spoken) Seymour, | ||||
Can we have your autograph? | ||||
(Spoken) We saw you on channel five news! | ||||
You looked so handsome | ||||
And you're gonna be so rich! | ||||
(Spoken) Please girls, not now. | ||||
Is it true Audrey II is Grand Marshal for the Rose Bowl? | ||||
Is it true the shop is decorating the senior prom? | ||||
It's all true, now please | ||||
There's another big hotshot looking for you, Seymour | ||||
From uptown, | ||||
He's been askin' all over, where can he find you? | ||||
You're famous, Seymour! | ||||
(Bernstein, Spoken) Is that him? | ||||
That's him, Mr. Bernstein. | ||||
Thank you, girls. | ||||
Seymour Krelborn, | ||||
Sweetie, | ||||
Honey, | ||||
Pussycat! | ||||
Do I know you? | ||||
Of course not, but are you gonna be happy when you do. | ||||
Seymour, | ||||
Sweetheart, | ||||
Dollface, | ||||
Bubbelah | ||||
(Singing) Hey, Seymour Krelborn you prince you. | ||||
My name is Bernstein, | ||||
I'm with NBC, | ||||
I came down here to convince you, | ||||
To do a weekly TV show for me. | ||||
"Seymour Krelborn's Gardening Tips" | ||||
(Spoken: You like it? I love it!) | ||||
(Singing) For half an hour on Sunday's at four. | ||||
TV's first home gardening program, | ||||
You'll make a mint and our ratings will soar! | ||||
(Singing) They say the meek shall inherit, | (Singing) They say the meek shall inherit, | (Singing) They say the meek shall inherit, | ||
You know the book doesn't lie, | You know the book doesn't lie, | You know the book doesn't lie, | ||
It's not a question of merit, | It's not a question of merit, | It's not a question of merit, | ||
It's not demand and supply. | It's not demand and supply. | It's not demand and supply. | ||
They say the meek gonna get it, | They say the meek gonna get it, | They say the meek gonna get it, | ||
And you're a meek little guy, | And you're a meek little guy, | And you're a meek little guy, | ||
You know the meek are gonna get | You know the meek are gonna get | You know the meek are gonna get | ||
What's comin' to 'em | What's comin' to 'em | What's comin' to 'em | ||
By and by. | By and by. | By and by. | ||
(Spoken) Your own TV show, Seymour! | ||||
(Spoken) Coast to coast! | ||||
Your name in lights! | ||||
Your face on screens! | ||||
Sign it! | ||||
Sign it! | ||||
Sign that contract! | Sign that contract! | |||
Isn't it exciting? | ||||
(Spoken) Here he is, Mrs. Luce! | ||||
We found him! | ||||
He's right here! | ||||
(Mrs. Luce, Spoken) Oh my darling, | ||||
My precious, | ||||
My sweet, sweet thing. | ||||
So delighted to make your acquaintance | ||||
Cutie | ||||
Sweetness | ||||
Seymour | ||||
Babydoll | ||||
(Singing) I'd like a word with you, lover, | ||||
I'm sure you know me, the Editor's wife, | ||||
We want your face on the cover | ||||
Of the December third issue of Life, | ||||
Yes the cover of Life Magazine, | ||||
Now that's an honor we so seldom grant, | ||||
We'll send someone down, let's say Thursday, | ||||
For shots of you and your beautiful plant! | ||||
(Singing) They say the meek shall inherit, | (Singing) They say the meek shall inherit, | (Singing) They say the meek shall inherit, | ||
You know the book doesn't lie, | You know the book doesn't lie, | You know the book doesn't lie, | ||
It's not a question of merit, | It's not a question of merit, | It's not a question of merit, | ||
It's not demand and supply. | It's not demand and supply. | It's not demand and supply. | ||
They say the meek gonna get it, | They say the meek gonna get it, | They say the meek gonna get it, | ||
And you're a meek little guy, | And you're a meek little guy, | And you're a meek little guy, | ||
You know the meek are gonna get | You know the meek are gonna get | You know the meek are gonna get | ||
What's comin' to 'em | What's comin' to 'em | What's comin' to 'em | ||
By and by. | By and by. | By and by. | ||
(Spoken) Life Magazine! | ||||
Oh my goodness, Seymour! | ||||
You're gonna make it straight to the top! | ||||
(Spoken) How did you do it? | ||||
(Spoken) Here he is, sir! | ||||
The incredible Seymour Krelborn! | ||||
Owner of the fabulous Audrey II. | ||||
America's most amazing- | ||||
And largest- unidentified plant. | ||||
(Skip-Snip, Spoken) So this is Seymour Krelborn. | ||||
We've been trying to reach you, baby. | ||||
Have your lines been busy! | ||||
Did you get our telegram? | ||||
I don't think so. | ||||
Well, it's a good thing I came down in person then. | ||||
Pleased to meet you, kid. | ||||
Skip-Snip, William Morris Agency. | ||||
(Singing) Forget the cable we sent you, | ||||
It's nice to meet me, the pleasure is yours. | ||||
Now let my firm represent you, | ||||
We'd like to book you on lecturing tours. | ||||
College campus, rotary club. | ||||
The kinda bookings my office can do. | ||||
Show the plant, then talk, answer questions. | ||||
It's educational, lucrative too. | ||||
(Singing) My future's starting, | ||||
I've got to let it. | ||||
Stick with that plant, | ||||
And, gee, | ||||
My bank account will thrive, | ||||
What am I saying? | ||||
No way, forget it! | ||||
It's much too dangerous | ||||
To keep that plant alive! | ||||
I take these offers, | ||||
That means more killing. | ||||
Who knew success would come with messy, nasty strings. | ||||
I sign these contracts, | ||||
That means I'm willing, | ||||
To keep on doing bloody, awful, evil things | ||||
No! | ||||
No! | ||||
There's only so far you can bend! | ||||
No! | ||||
No! | ||||
This nightmare must come to an end! | ||||
No! | ||||
No! | ||||
You've got no alternative, | ||||
Seymour, old boy | ||||
Though it means you'll be broke again and unemployed | ||||
It's the only solution, it can't be avoided | ||||
The vegetable must be destroyed | ||||
But then, | ||||
There's Audrey, | ||||
Lovely Audrey | ||||
If life were tawdry, and impoverished as before | ||||
She might not like me, | ||||
She might not want me, | ||||
Without my plant, | ||||
She might not love me anymore | ||||
They say the meek shall inherit | They say the meek shall inherit | They say the meek shall inherit | ||
Where do I sign? | ||||
You know the book doesn't lie. | You know the book doesn't lie. | You know the book doesn't lie. | ||
Right on the line. | ||||
It's not a question of merit. | It's not a question of merit. | It's not a question of merit. | ||
That'll do fine. | ||||
It's not demand and supply. | It's not demand and supply. | It's not demand and supply. | ||
This copy's mine. | ||||
You'll make a fortune, we swear it. | You'll make a fortune, we swear it. | You'll make a fortune, we swear it. | ||
Couldn't go wrong. | ||||
If on this fact you rely- | If on this fact you rely- | If on this fact you rely- | ||
Bye-bye, so long. | ||||
You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | |
You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | |
You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them | You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to them |
By | By | By | By | By |
And | And | And | And | And |
By! | By! | By! | By! | By! |
The Following Information is non-Canon. Demos and deleted songs are not considered canon to the Little Shop of Horrors musical, as they were not included in the final version of the musical, instead think of them as part of the history of making LSOH.
Patrick Martin |
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(Spoken) You can't afford to say no to this one. |
Sweetheart, |
Baby, |
Hotshot, |
Halibut, |
(Singing) Come on, don't act so above it, |
I'm Patrick Martin, the marketing ace. |
I got a concept, you'll love it. |
To get this plant all over the place, |
I'll take cuttings off of the leaves, |
I'll treat 'em gently, we'll move them in pots, |
Where there's now just one of this species, |
Take my word, pretty soon there'll be lots. |
(Spoken) Sign, and we'll start. |
Deleted Sequence[]
The movie version of the song cuts Seymour's soliloquy, as well as changing the businessmen's verses into dialogue in the beginning of the song. Curiously, the soundtrack album includes Seymour's soliloquy.
During the dream sequence, Seymour is seen amid falling money and at one point becoming the plant. He also runs down a long heaven like area where he passes an hour glass with blood-red sand and a bleeding portrait of Mr. Mushnik. Finally, when he begins to think about Audrey, a parody of "Singing in the Rain" features Audrey running past Seymour and hugging the plant. Once Seymour makes his decision, he his standing amid giant contracts and business men magically floating around to hand him contracts to sign.
When asked about the sequence in a 2012 interview, Frank Oz responded, "I cut that because I felt it just didn’t work... It was the right choice, so I don’t even know what happened to that. It didn’t really add value to the entire cut."[1]
Images[]
Storyboards for the movie sequence by Mike Ploog surfaced on an online auction,[2] a few color stills found their way into the Topps trading card set, the scene was featured in the photonovel, and a few images also surfaced on lobby cards outside of the USA.
Matthew 5:5[]
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."
The idea being that the humble, gentle, quiet and/or submissive people will be the ones allowed into the Kingdom of Heaven. Though highly debated, the meaning to be taken from this song is that the Greek Chorus/ Urchins mournfully sing the loss of Seymour. He isn't meek anymore, and will not receive what's coming to him - he loses Audrey. And the buildup and choice of wording and timing: "get what's comin' to 'em" implying that the good will get good, bad will get bad.