Master of the House Songtext
von Claude‐Michel Schönberg

Welcome, M′sieur
Sit yourself down
And meet the best
Innkeeper in town
As for the rest
All of 'em crooks
Rooking their guests
And cooking the books
Seldom do you see
Honest men like me
A gent of good intent
Who′s content to be


Master of the house
Doling out the charm
Ready with a handshake
And an open palm
Tells a saucy tale
Makes a little stir
Customers appreciate a bon-viveur
Glad to do a friend a favor
Doesn't cost me to be nice
But nothing gets you nothing

Everything has got a little price!

Master of the house
Keeper of the zoo
Ready to relieve 'em
Of a sou or two
Watering the wine
Making up the weight
Pickin′ up their knick-knacks
When they can′t see straight
Everybody loves a landlord
Everybody's bosom friend

I do whatever pleases Jesus!
Won′t I bleed 'em in the end!


Thenardier & Drinkers:
Master of the house
Quick to catch yer eye
Never wants a passerby
To pass him by
Servant to the poor
Butler to the great
Comforter, philosopher,

And lifelong mate!
Everybody′s boon companion
Everybody's chaperone

But lock up your valises
Enter M′sieur
Lay down your load
Unlace your boots
And rest from the road
This weighs a ton
Travel's a curse
But here we strive

To lighten your purse
Here the goose is cooked
Here the fat is fried
And nothing's overlooked
Till I′m satisfied

Food beyond compare
Food beyond belief

Mix it in a mincer
And pretend it′s beef
Kidney of a horse
Liver of a cat
Filling up the sausages
With this and that

Residents are more than welcome
Bridal suite is occupied
Reasonable charges
Plus some little extras on the side!
Charge 'em for the lice
Extra for the mice
Two percent for looking in the mirror twice
Here a little slice

There a little cut
Three percent for sleeping with the window shut
When it comes to fixing prices
There are a lot of tricks he knows
How it all increases
All those bits and pieces
Jesus! It′s amazing how it grows!

Master of the house
Quick to catch yer eye
Never wants a passerby
To pass him by

Servant to the poor
Butler to the great
Comforter, philosopher,
And lifelong mate!
Everybody's boon companion
Gives ′em everything he's got
Dirty bunch of geezers
Jesus! What a sorry little lot!

I used to dream
That I would meet a prince
But God Almighty,
Have you seen what′s happened since?
Master of the house?
Isn't worth me spit!
'Comforter, philosopher′

- and lifelong shit!
Cunning little brain
Regular Voltaire
Thinks he′s quite a lover
But there's not much there
What a cruel trick of nature
Landed me with such a louse
God knows how I′ve lasted
Living with this bastard in the house!

Master of the house!
Master and a half!
Comforter, philosopher
Don't make me laugh!
Servant to the poor
Butler to the great
Hypocrite and toady
And inebriate!
Everybody bless the landlord!
Everybody bless his spouse!
Everybody raise a glass!
Raise it up the master′s ass!
Everybody raise a glass to the master of the house!