God, That's Good!
Sweeney Todd
The Dark Delight of Mrs. Lovett's Meat Pies
The song "God, That's Good!" from the musical *Sweeney Todd* is a darkly humorous and chilling piece that captures the macabre essence of the story. The lyrics, performed by Tobias and Mrs. Lovett, are a celebration of Mrs. Lovett's meat pies, which have gained sudden popularity. However, the audience is aware of the sinister secret behind these pies—they are made from the bodies of Sweeney Todd's victims.
Tobias, a young boy who works for Mrs. Lovett, enthusiastically advertises the pies to the customers, describing their irresistible aroma and taste. His innocent excitement contrasts sharply with the gruesome reality, creating a sense of irony and dark comedy. The lyrics play with sensory descriptions, making the pies sound delectable and luxurious, which adds to the unsettling nature of the song.
Mrs. Lovett's lines reveal her cunning and resourcefulness. She speaks of a "family secret" and the importance of herbs, which is a euphemism for the human flesh used in the pies. Her interactions with Tobias and the customers show her manipulative nature, as she maintains a cheerful facade while hiding the horrifying truth. The repeated instructions to Tobias to "throw the old woman out" suggest a ruthless efficiency in maintaining their secret.
The song also touches on themes of desperation and survival. Mrs. Lovett's business is thriving due to the pies, and she sees it as a form of divine intervention, saying "God watches over us." This line adds a layer of dark irony, as the success of her business is built on murder. The song encapsulates the twisted morality and grim humor that are central to *Sweeney Todd*, making it a memorable and chilling piece in the musical.