"Food, Glorious Food", written by

Lionel Bart Lionel Bart (1 August 1930 – 3 April 1999) was a British writer and composer of pop music and musicals. He wrote Tommy Steele's " Rock with the Caveman" and was the sole creator of the musical ''Oliver!'' (1960). With ''Oliver!'' and his wor ...

, is the opening song from the 1960s West End and

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

musical (and 1968 film) '' Oliver!''

Musical theme

The song is sung from the point of view of the children of a workhouse for orphans where they are forced to work to “earn their keep”, and deprived of proper nutrition while the administrators feast on delicacies. The children arrive for breakfast while fantasizing about delicious food such as

sausage A sausage is a type of meat product usually made from ground meat—often pork, beef, or poultry—along with salt, spices and other flavourings. Other ingredients, such as grains or breadcrumbs may be included as fillers or extenders. ...

and mustard, and sweets including jelly and custard. When the workhouse boys arrive at the front of the serving line they receive only tasteless

gruel Gruel is a food consisting of some type of cereal—such as ground oats, wheat, rye, or rice—heated or boiled in water or milk. It is a thinner version of porridge that may be more often drunk rather than eaten. Historically, gruel has been a ...

from the staff. The song is intended as a metaphor for keeping hope alive, despite being mistreated.

In popular culture

In the animated film, Ice Age: The Meltdown, a flock of vultures dance while singing a version of the song.

References

{{authority control 1960 songs Food and drink in popular culture Songs written by Lionel Bart Songs from Oliver! Songs written for animated films