Portobello Road (song)
"Portobello Road" by Robert & Richard Sherman is a song about the actual Portobello Road in London, England. It was written for the 1971, Walt Disney musical film production Bedknobs and Broomsticks. It is sung by David Tomlinson about a street where, to this day–
Anything and everything a chap can unload
Is sold off the barrow...
There is an extensive dance sequence where different groups including Scots, Jamaicans, British Army soldiers, and Indians dance to the song's theme played in various styles.
Browne's Cynicism
Sung by Professor Emelius Browne, his perspective represents the antagonistic theme of cynicism. It is precisely because of his self doubt that he is unable to manifest anything positive in his life. He sees Portobello Road as a place where "the trinkets of London can be sold 'on the cheap', if the huckster is skilled enough to make the sale."
Lyrics
Portobello road, Portobello road
Street where the riches of ages are stowed.
Anything and everything a chap can unload
Is sold off the barrow in Portobello road.
You’ll find what you want in the Portobello road.
Rare alabaster? Genuine plaster!
A filigreed samovar owned by the czars.
A pen used by Shelley? A new Boticelli?
The snipper that clipped old King Edward’s cigars?
"Made in Hong Kong? Two bob a dozen, would you say?"
Waterford Crystals? Napoleon’s pistols?
Society heirlooms with genuine gems!
Rembrandts! El Grecos! Toulouse-Lautrec-os!
Painted last week on the banks of the Thames!
Portobello road, Portobello road!
Street where the riches of ages are stowed
Anything and everything a chap can unload
Is sold off the barrow in Portobello road.
You’ll meet all your chums in the Portobello road
There’s pure inspiration in every creation.
No cheap imitations, not here in me store.
With garments as such as was owned by a Duchess.
Just once at some royal occasion of yore.
In Portobello Road, Portobello Road
The fancies and fineries of ages are showed.
A lady will always feel dressed a la mode
In frillies she finds in the Portobello road.
“Burke’s Peerage;” “The Bride Book;” “The Fishmonger’s Guidebook;”
A Victorian novel, “The Unwanted Son;”
“The History of Potting”, “The Yearbook of Yachting,”
The leather bound “Life of Attila the Hun.”
Portobello Road, Portobello Road
Street where the riches of ages are stowed
Artifacts to glorify our regal abode
Are hidden in the flotsam in Portobello Road
You’ll find what you want in the Portobello Road
Tokens and treasures, yesterday’s pleasures
Cheap imitations of heirlooms of old
Dented and tarnished, scarred and unvarnished
In old Portobello they’re bought and they’re sold
Portobello Road, Portobello Road
Street where the riches of ages are stowed
Artifacts to glorify our regal abode
Are hidden in the flotsam in Portobello road.
You’ll find what you want in the Portobello Road
Literary Sources
- Sherman, Robert B. Walt's Time: from before to beyond. Santa Clarita: Camphor Tree Publishers, 1998.