Honor to Us All

Disney

About Honor to Us All

"Honor to Us All" is a song written by composer Matthew Wilder and lyricist David Zippel for Walt Disney Pictures' 36th animated feature film Mulan (1998). Recorded by singers Beth Fowler, Marni Nixon and Lea Salonga, the latter two of whom provide the singing voices of Grandmother Fa and Fa Mulan, respectively, the song is a character number performed by several older Chinese women and female members of Mulan's family as they prepare the main character to be evaluated by the Matchmaker in the scene towards the beginning of the film. Songwriter Stephen Schwartz was originally enlisted to write the songs for Mulan, and had written a song called "China Doll" intended for the scene in which Mulan prepares to meet the Matchmaker. After the songwriter resigned from Mulan in favor of writing songs for rival studio DreamWorks' The Prince of Egypt (1998), Schwartz was ultimately replaced with Wilder and Zippel, who wrote "Honor to Us All" with which to replace "China Doll". Nixon's casting as Grandmother Fa's singing voice ultimately influenced Disney to recast the voice actress who had originally been hired to supply Grandmother Fa's speaking voice with actress June Foray due to closer similarities between Nixon's and Foray's voices. 


Year:
2004
228 
#2

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This is what you give me to work with?
Well, honey, I've seen worse
We're going to turn this sow's ear
Into a silk purse

We'll have you
Washed and dried
Primped and polished till you glow with pride
Trust my recipe for instant bride
You'll bring honor to us all

Wait and see
When we're through
Boys will gladly go to war for you
With good fortune and a great hairdo
You'll bring honor to us all

A girl can bring her family
Great honor in one way
By striking a good match
And this could be the day

Men want girls with good taste
Calm
Obedient
Who work fast-paced
With good breeding
And a tiny waist
You'll bring honor to us all

We all must serve our Emperor
Who guards us from the Huns
A man by bearing arms
A girl by bearing sons

When we're through you can't fail
Like a lotus blossom soft and palm
How could any fellow say "No sale"
You'll bring honor to us all

There - you're ready
Not yet
An apple for serenity 
A pendant for balance 
Beads of jade for beauty
You must proudly show it
Now add a cricket just for luck
And even you can't blow it

Ancestors
Hear my plea
Help me not to make a fool of me
And to not uproot my fam'ly tree
Keep my father standing tall

Scarier than the undertaker
We are meeting our matchmaker
Destiny
Guard our girls
And our future as it fast unfurls
Please look kindly on these cultured pearls
Each a perfect porcelain doll

Please bring honor to us
Please bring honor to us
Please bring honor to us
Please bring honor to us
Please bring honor to us all

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Disney

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), commonly referred to as Disney, is an American diversified multinational mass media corporation headquartered in Walt Disney Studios, Burbank, California, United States. It is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into live-action film production, television, and travel. Taking on its current name in 1986, The Walt Disney Company expanded its existing operations and also started divisions focused upon theatre, radio, music, publishing, and online media. In addition, it has created new divisions of t… more »

13 fans

Written by: Matthew Wilder, David Joel Zippel

Lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Mulan Film
"Honor to Us All" is a song from Disney's 1998 animated feature film Mulan. It sets the scene for the culture and expectations of the society Mulan lives in.
Soundtrack Album
The song is also included in the soundtrack album of the movie. It is the second track on the album, which also includes other popular numbers like "Reflections" and "I’ll Make a Man Out of You".
Performed by Lea Salonga
Lea Salonga, a famous singer and actress from the Philippines, is the singing voice of Mulan in the movie. However, "Honor to Us All" is the only song in the movie in which Lea Salonga does not provide the vocals for Mulan. Beth Fowler, Marni Nixon, and Lea Salonga perform the song as the characters Grandmother Fa, The Matchmaker, and Fa Li respectively.
Composed by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel
American composer Matthew Wilder and lyricist David Zippel wrote the music and lyrics for "Honor to Us All".
Theme of the Song
The song explains traditional Chinese societal expectations for women in Mulan's time. It emphasizes the values of beauty, grace, and compliance over personal desires, thus setting the stage for Mulan's dramatic rebellion and eventual heroism.
Mulan's Duties
The song portrays Mulan preparing for her meeting with the matchmaker to bring honor to her family by marrying well.
Symbolism
"Honor to Us All" symbolizes Mulan's struggle against societal norms and her journey of self-discovery that ultimately leads to her saving China.
Contrast with Other Songs
The traditional values expressed in "Honor to Us All" sharply contrast with the later song "I'll Make a Man Out of You", where Mulan shows her courage, strength, and ability to surpass everyone's expectations.
Catchy Tunes and Melodies
Like many Disney songs, "Honor to Us All" stands out for its catchy tunes and melodies, making it an audience favorite.
Influence and Popularity
Since the release of Mulan, "Honor to Us All" has been covered by various artists across the world, reflecting its global influence and popularity.
Live-Action Version
In the 2020 live-action adaptation of Mulan, this song along with most of the soundtrack is omitted to create a more serious and realistic tone.

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