Mary Poppins Feed The Birds (Tuppence A Bag) Piano Solo arr.

Mary Poppins: Feed The Birds (Tuppence A Bag) Piano Solo arr., sheet music.

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Feed The Birds (Tuppence A Bag) · Julie Andrews · The Disney Studio Chorus Mary Poppins

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Mary Poppins: Disney’s Magical Musical Classic

Few films in the history of cinema have managed to combine storytelling, imagination, and music as seamlessly as Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins (1964). Based on the books by P. L. Travers, the film remains a timeless masterpiece that bridges fantasy and realism, childhood wonder and adult responsibility—all wrapped in unforgettable melodies and charming performances.

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1. The Story and Production

The film tells the story of Mary Poppins, a mysterious and magical nanny who arrives at the home of the Banks family in early 20th-century London. With her unique blend of kindness, discipline, and enchantment, she transforms the lives of the children, Jane and Michael, and helps their father, George Banks, rediscover joy and family love.

The movie starred Julie Andrews in her film debut as Mary Poppins and Dick Van Dyke as the cheerful chimney sweep Bert. The cast also featured David Tomlinson and Glynis Johns as the Banks parents.

Walt Disney personally oversaw the film’s development after years of attempting to acquire the rights from Travers. The result was a unique blend of live action and animation—a revolutionary concept at the time. The film’s success was both critical and commercial: it won five Academy Awards, including Best Actress (Andrews) and Best Original Song (“Chim Chim Cher-ee”), and remains one of Disney’s crowning achievements.

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2. The Music: The Sherman Brothers’ Masterpiece

The soundtrack of Mary Poppins was composed and written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, the celebrated songwriting duo who worked closely with Walt Disney on many projects (The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, It’s a Small World).

The music is central to the film’s charm, functioning not just as entertainment but as a storytelling device. The songs reveal character, drive the plot, and convey the emotional transformation of the family. Each melody is instantly recognizable, with rich harmonies and clever lyrics that reflect the personalities of the characters.

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3. Key Songs and Musical Analysis

“A Spoonful of Sugar”

This cheerful song captures Mary Poppins’ philosophy that work can be turned into play with the right attitude. Harmonically, it stays mostly in a bright major key, with occasional chromatic touches that evoke whimsy and surprise. The rhythm bounces lightly, reflecting Mary’s sense of effortless grace.

“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”

One of the most famous nonsense songs ever written, this lively tune showcases the Shermans’ wordplay and rhythmic inventiveness. Its brisk tempo and use of quick syllabic articulation make it both a vocal challenge and a joyful tongue-twister. The music shifts through modulations that add to its sense of energy and fun.

“Chim Chim Cher-ee”

This haunting, minor-key melody serves as the film’s recurring theme. It reflects the mysterious, almost otherworldly charm of Bert and Mary’s adventures. Its harmonic movement, built on descending minor intervals, gives the tune a nostalgic, slightly melancholic tone—symbolizing the bittersweet passage of childhood. The song’s reprise at the end transforms it into a hopeful resolution.

“Feed the Birds”

Often cited as Walt Disney’s favorite song, “Feed the Birds” is the emotional core of the film. It’s written in a slow, hymn-like 3/4 meter with a tender melody that evokes compassion and simplicity. Its harmonic structure—subtle shifts between tonic and subdominant chords—creates an atmosphere of stillness and empathy. The orchestration, lush yet restrained, highlights the moral message of kindness and giving.

“Let’s Go Fly a Kite”

This song serves as the film’s emotional resolution. With George Banks finally reconnecting with his children, the soaring melody in a major key mirrors the feeling of liberation and joy. The use of the waltz rhythm and ascending melodic lines gives the song a sense of uplift and forward motion, closing the film on a high note.

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4. Musical Style and Orchestration

The film’s orchestral score was arranged and conducted by Irwin Kostal, whose elegant orchestrations give the songs cinematic depth. The music combines British music hall influences, classical harmonies, and Broadway-style orchestrations, bridging the worlds of musical theatre and film scoring.

The songs’ integration with the live-action and animated sequences was groundbreaking—especially in “Jolly Holiday” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” where the music flows seamlessly between dialogue, singing, and dance, blending real and animated characters.

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5. Legacy and Influence

Mary Poppins changed the landscape of film musicals. It demonstrated how music could elevate fantasy into emotional realism, paving the way for later Disney musicals like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King.

Julie Andrews’ crystalline voice set a new standard for vocal performance in musical cinema, and the Sherman Brothers’ soundtrack remains one of the most celebrated in history.

The film’s success also led to stage adaptations and a long-awaited sequel, Mary Poppins Returns (2018), starring Emily Blunt and featuring new songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman—a respectful continuation of the original’s musical spirit.

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6. Mary Poppins: what is the story about?

At its heart, Mary Poppins is a story about balance—between order and imagination, responsibility and love. Its music embodies that balance: playful yet profound, simple yet sophisticated. The songs continue to enchant audiences because they speak to universal truths through melody and magic.

In the words of the Sherman Brothers, “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down”—and indeed, through its music, Mary Poppins continues to sweeten life’s lessons with joy, warmth, and wonder.

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Excellent choice — “Feed the Birds” is not only one of the most moving songs in Mary Poppins but also one of the most harmonically subtle and emotionally rich pieces in the Disney canon.
Here’s a detailed musical notation and harmonic analysis of the song:

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“Feed the Birds” – Musical and Harmonic Analysis

1. Context and Mood

Composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, “Feed the Birds” is written in G major, with a gentle 3/4 time signature (a waltz feel).
It’s a lyrical ballad that captures the film’s emotional center — Mary Poppins’ lesson about compassion and generosity.

The mood is contemplative, spiritual, and almost hymn-like, with a restrained orchestration (strings, harp, flute, and subtle winds).

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2. Form and Structure

The song follows a simple A–A–B–A form (a common Tin Pan Alley / Great American Songbook model).
Each section consists of 8-bar phrases, giving a total of 32 bars.

Section	Description	Key Center
A	“Early each day to the steps of Saint Paul’s…”	G major
A	“All around the cathedral the saints and apostles…”	G major (modulates briefly to E minor)
B	“Though her words are simple and few…”	E minor (relative minor)
A	“Feed the birds, tuppence a bag…”	Returns to G major

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3. Harmonic Progression (Simplified Roman Numeral Analysis)

A section (G major)

| G  | Gmaj7 | Cmaj7 | G   |
| Em | A7    | D7    | G   |

Analysis:

• The opening alternation of I – IV – I (G–C–G) establishes a stable, calm home base.
• The Gmaj7 → Cmaj7 motion adds warmth and color, suggesting tenderness.
• The Em–A7–D7 line functions as a secondary dominant chain (iii–V7/ii–V7), subtly preparing a return to tonic (G).
• The harmonic rhythm is slow—usually one chord per bar—matching the solemn pacing of the lyrics.

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B section (“Though her words are simple and few…”)

| Em | Em/D | Cmaj7 | Am7 D7 |
| G  | B7   | Em    | A7  D7 |

Analysis:

• This section moves to E minor, the relative minor of G major, introducing a sense of longing and introspection.
• The Em → Em/D → Cmaj7 descending bass motion (E–D–C) is classic lament bass, evoking emotional depth.
• The G–B7–Em sequence momentarily tonicizes the relative minor (E minor) through a secondary dominant (V7/vi).
• The final A7–D7 forms a circle of fifths progression that gently leads back to G major for the final A section.

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Final A section (“Feed the birds, tuppence a bag…”)

| G  | Gmaj7 | Cmaj7 | G   |
| Em | A7    | D7    | G   |

Same as the first section, but orchestrated more richly, with strings and choir echoing the melodic line.
The harmonic return to G major symbolizes emotional resolution — the message of kindness is simple yet profound.

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4. Melodic and Harmonic Interaction

• The melody outlines chord tones, often landing on the 3rd or 7th of each chord (e.g., B over G, E over Cmaj7), lending it a suspended, floating quality.
• Chromatic neighbor tones and passing tones (especially in “tuppence a bag”) enrich the harmonic texture.
• The melodic contour often rises on words like “birds” or “feed” — symbolizing aspiration — then falls gently, mirroring the pigeons descending in the story’s imagery.

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5. Orchestration and Texture

Irwin Kostal’s orchestration is restrained:

• Strings carry the harmonic bed with slow, legato phrases.
• Flute and oboe provide delicate counterlines.
• Harp arpeggios enhance the sense of stillness and grace.
• Low brass subtly reinforces cadences, giving the piece its church-like dignity.

The result is a sacred soundscape, almost hymn-like — appropriate since the song takes place on the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

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6. Symbolism and Emotional Function

Harmonically, the song reflects the film’s emotional journey:

• The G major stability symbolizes Mary Poppins’ calm wisdom.
• The E minor detour mirrors human vulnerability and empathy.
• The return to G signifies hope and moral clarity.

Walt Disney himself was deeply moved by this song; the Sherman Brothers recounted that he often asked them to play “Feed the Birds” for him privately on Friday afternoons, saying, “That’s what it’s all about.”

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7. Summary

Feature	Description
Key	G major (with excursions to E minor)
Meter	3/4
Form	A–A–B–A
Harmony	Tonal, with gentle chromaticism and secondary dominants
Mood	Lyrical, tender, hymn-like
Function	Emotional and moral center of Mary Poppins

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