Johanna - Lyric Explanation (Please!) & General appreciation!

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 6/25/12 at 7:59pm

Can someone explain this line in Sondheim's 'Johanna' from 'Sweeney Todd':

"'Til I'm with you then, I'm with you there, buried sweetly in your yellow hair."

What is Anthony saying here?

Also, I just have to say that I think the most beautiful line in this song is: "I am in the dark beside you." Those words give me chills whenever I hear this song. So many images can be conjured up from that line - the fact that the dark represents both characters' isolation, etc. Some people think it's a creepy song, and they say that Anthony's a bit of a stalker and that this song stems from total obsession with this girl he doesn't know, but I can't think that way, to me it's just a beautiful simple love song. Any other interpretations?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/25/12 at 8:01pm

I think he's saying that he wants to go down on her. No lie.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/25/12 at 8:08pm

Anthony's assuming the carpet matches the curtains.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/25/12 at 8:10pm

^Exactly.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 6/25/12 at 8:28pm

Until he is literally with her, he's with her in his mind.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 6/25/12 at 8:29pm

Thank you!

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 6/25/12 at 8:43pm

What Scarywarhol said, "Until he is literally with her, he's with her in his mind."


I feel you, Johanna,
And one day I'll steal you!
Til I'm with you then,
I'm with you there,
Sweetly buried in your yellow hair!

He is transported in his mind to caressing her, his face buried in her hair.

Until that one day when he steals her (from her captivity), he's with her "there," in spirit, fantasy. Whether the fantasy is limited to cranial hair is a matter of actor's interpretation. I doubt very much though that Sondheim intended anything below the waist.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 6/25/12 at 8:51pm

Just to clarify, I'm really only asking for clarification on the words

"'Til I'm with you then, I'm with you there..." not really on the words regarding her 'yellow hair'... I understand that part, I just didn't fully understand the "then/there" part

But thank you for clearing that up

[tazber]

Posted: 6/25/12 at 8:52pm

You have to take the line in context. The preceding part of the verse is about being with her despite the walls between them.
I don't think it was meant to be an overly complex sentiment.
In fact, it's one of the purest songs in the score, as befitting the young and naive lover.



Do they think that walls could hide you?
Even now, I'm at your window.
I am in the dark beside you,
Buried sweetly in your yellow hair!
I feel you, Johanna,
And one day I'll steal you!
Til I'm with you then,
I'm with you there,
Sweetly buried in your yellow hair!


Phyl, you'll recall in the wig-maker sequence that Todd mentions her pubic hair is "calico spotted ruby and gold", so it can't be a reference to cunnilingus.

Updated On: 6/25/12 at 08:52 PM

[artscallion]

Posted: 6/25/12 at 9:57pm

Then refers to "one day" from the previous line..."one day I'll steal you....til I'm with you then...

There refers back to the part Taz quoted...there being "in the dark beside you" In his mind, of course.


So yes, it means that he will be with her in spirit until he can be with her in reality.

Updated On: 6/25/12 at 09:57 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/25/12 at 10:14pm

What artscallion said.

Sometimes there are many layers to a Sondheim lyric and you keep peeling and you find more.

Sometimes it's right there in the lyric. You just have to listen to it and hear its logic.

So if you just add in the missing line before the final repeat of "buried sweetly in your yellow hair," it makes perfect sense:

==

Even now, I'm at your window.
I am in the dark beside you,
Buried sweetly in your yellow hair!

I feel you, Johanna,
And one day I'll steal you!

Til I'm with you then (on that day when I steal you),
I'm with you there (in the dark beside you),
Sweetly buried in your yellow hair!