Two Little Babes in the Wood

Song Meaning

This song reworks a grim fairy tale into a darkly comedic, almost cautionary, modern fable. Initially, the lyrics paint a stark picture: two orphaned children, entrusted to a greedy uncle, are abandoned in a harsh forest to perish. The narrative voice of Cole Porter sets a somber, traditional tone, emphasizing their vulnerability and the uncle's betrayal. It’s a classic setup for tragedy, complete with the chilling detail of them being left to 'die of cold.' However, the tone dramatically shifts with the Harpers Bizarre verses, transforming the grim scenario into something far more surreal and satirical. Instead of succumbing to the elements, the 'two little babes' are aided by nature itself, with birds building a nest and the breeze singing a lullaby. This fantastical turn is immediately undercut by the arrival of a rescuer who appears in a 'big sedan' and possesses a 'very, very fancy beard,' a bizarre image that signals a departure from traditional morality tales. The true critique emerges as the babes are whisked away to 'New York Town' and showered with material wealth – 'bonds and stocks, and Paris frocks.' The lyrics highlight their subsequent transformation into socialites, obsessed with superficial pleasures like 'too many parties and too many beaus.' The song suggests that their 'rescue' from the forest has merely plunged them into a different kind of wilderness, one of excess and moral emptiness, where even the 'fountain of youth' is just 'gin and vermouth.' Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their jarring juxtaposition of innocence and corruption, and the mundane absurdity they inject into a familiar narrative. The contrast between the initial peril and the hollow prosperity underscores a commentary on how wealth and societal pressures can corrupt, leaving the 'babes' as figures of hollow excess, forever defined by their superficial acquisitions rather than genuine well-being.