"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" is a song from the 1967 stage musical and the 1985 animated TV special of the same name. It is sung by Schroeder, Linus, Lucy and Patty (the last character being replaced by Sally Brown in the 1985 television version and the 1999 Broadway revival).
Intro[]
Just as the audience is beginning to be aware that there is the faint sound of a funny little waltz coming from somewhere, the house lights begin to dim. The darkness increases, the waltz moves and grows, and then a single light picks out a small face at center stage. It is Charlie Brown. Suddenly the music stops, and a voice pipes up from the darkness behind him.
Linus: I really don't think you have anything to worry about, Charlie Brown. After all, science has shown that a person's character isn't really established until he's at least five years old.
Charlie Brown: But I am five. I'm more than five.
Linus: Oh. Well, that's the way it goes.
(The waltz continues. It glides forward, rises, then stops again)
Patty: (From another section of the darkness) The only thing wrong with Charlie Brown is his lack of confidence. (She thinks for a moment) His inferiority and his lack of confidence. (She thinks again) His clumsiness, his inferiority and, his lack of confidence. (She pauses again) His stupidity, his clumsiness, his inferiority and his...
(The music mercifully begins again, cutting off her speech. It trickles along briefly, then stops)
Schroeder: Did you know that Charlie Brown has never pitched a winning baseball game, never been able to keep a kite in the air, never won a game of checkers and never successfully punted a football? Sometimes I marvel at his consistency.
{The music begins again. It rises to a brief pause)
Linus: I think Charlie Brown has nice hands.
(The music continues to another stopping place)
Snoopy: It is truly a dog's life. I feel so neglected. Charlie Brown never brings me coffee in the morning.
(The music is heard for another moment)
Lucy: Now, Linus, I want you to take a good look at Charlie Brown's face. Would you please hold still a minute, Charlie Brown, I want Linus to study your face. Now this is what you call a Failure Face, Linus. Notice how it has failure written all over it. Study it carefully, Linus, you rarely get to see such a good example. Notice the deep lines, the dull, vacant look in the eyes. Yes, I would say this is one of the finest examples of a Failure Face that you're liable to see for a long while.
(The music fades as Charlie Brown stirs himself to speak)
Charlie Brown: Some days I wake up early to watch the sunrise, and I think how beautiful it is, and how my whole life lies before me, and I get a very positive feeling about things. Like this morning, for instance. The sky's so clear and the sun's so bright. How can anything go wrong on a day like this?
(His question is answered by an ominous and energetic imitation of drum taps from Schroeder and Linus. The stage is filled with light and we at last can see its contents: several oversized, brightly painted objects in simple geometrical shapes, and six undersized, simply dressed people in straightforward, uncomplicated character. As the music swings into a march, the people begin parading around and about the rather nonplused fellow at center stage. They sing "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown")
Linus: I really don't think you have anything to worry about, Charlie Brown. After all, science has shown that a person's character isn't really established until he's at least five years old.
Charlie Brown: But I am five. I'm more than five.
Schroeder: Did you know that Charlie Brown has never pitched a winning baseball game, never been able to keep a kite in the air, never won a game of checkers and never successfully punted a football? Sometimes I marvel at his consistency.
Linus: I think Charlie Brown has nice hands.
Snoopy: It is truly a dog's life. The least Charlie Brown could do is start my day with a little tea and toast.
Lucy: Now, Linus, I want you to take a good look at Charlie Brown's face. Would you please hold still a minute, Charlie Brown, I want Linus to study your face. Now this is what you call a Failure Face, Linus. Notice how it has failure written all over it. Study it carefully, Linus, you rarely get to see such a good example. Notice the deep lines, the dull, vacant look in the eyes. Yes, I would say this is one of the finest examples of a Failure Face that you're liable to see for a long while.
Charlie Brown: Some days I like to wake up early, so I can see the sunrise, and I think how beautiful it is, and how my life lies before me, and I get a very positive feeling about things. Like this morning for instance; the sky's so clear and the sun's so bright. How can anything go wrong on a day like this?
Musical Version
Linus: I really don't think you have anything to worry about, Charlie Brown. After all, science has shown that a person's character isn't really established until he's at least five years old.
Charlie Brown: But I am five. I'm more than five.
Linus: Oh... Well, that's the way it goes.
All: You’re a good man, Charlie Brown!
Sally: The only thing wrong with my big brother, Charlie Brown, is his lack of confidence; his inferiority and lack of confidence. His clumsiness, his inferiority, his lack of confidence. His stupidity, his clumsiness, his inferiority and his lack of confidence, his...
All: You’re a good man, Charlie Brown!
You’re the kind of reminder we need
You have humility, nobility
And a sense of honor that is very rare indeed
Schroeder: Did you know that Charlie Brown has never pitched a winning baseball game, never been able to keep a kite in the air, never won a game of checkers and never successfully punted a football? Sometimes I marvel at his consistency.
Linus: I think Charlie Brown has nice hands.
Snoopy: It is truly a dog's life. A life of challenges. You try being excited when that round-headed kid comes home from school.
All: You're a prince and a prince could be king
Lucy: Now, Linus. I want you to take a good look at Charlie Brown's face. Would you please hold still a minute, Charlie Brown? I want Linus to study your face. Now, this is what you call a failure face, Linus. Notice how it has failure written all over it. Study it carefully, Linus, you rarely see such a good example. Notice the deep lines. The dull vacant look in the eyes. Yes, I would say this is one of the finest examples of a failure face you're gonna see for a long while.
All: You're a good man
You're a good man
Charlie Brown: Some days I like to wake up early, so I can see the sunrise, and I think how beautiful it is, and how my life lies before me, and I get a very positive feeling about things. Like this morning for instance; the sky's so clear and the sun's so bright. How can anything go wrong on a day like this?
(Alarm clock rings)
I'm late!
Album Version
Linus: I really don't think you have anything to worry about, Charlie Brown. After all, science has shown that a person's character isn't really established until he's at least five years old.
Sally: (overlapping) The only thing wrong with my big brother, Charlie Brown, is his lack of confidence; his inferiority and lack of confidence. His clumsiness, his inferiority, his lack of confidence. His stupidity, his clumsiness, his inferiority and his lack of confidence, his...
Schroeder: (overlapping) Did you know that Charlie Brown has never pitched a winning baseball game, never been able to keep a kite in the air, never won a game of checkers and never successfully punted a football? Sometimes I marvel at his consistency.
Lucy: (overlapping) Now, Charlie Brown has what you call a Failure Face, Linus. Notice how it has failure written all over it. Study it carefully. You rarely see such a good example.
Snoopy: (overlapping) It is truly a dog's life. A life of challenges. You try being excited when that round-headed kid comes home from school.
Charlie Brown: (overlapping) Some days I like to wake up early, so I can see the sunrise, and I think how beautiful it is, and how my life lies before me, and I get a very positive feeling about things. Like this morning for instance; the sky's so clear and the sun's so bright. How can anything go wrong on a day like this?
(Alarm clock rings)
I'm late!
Lyrics[]
All: (Except Charlie Brown) You're a good man, Charlie Brown,
You're the kind of the reminder we need.
You have humility, nobility and a sense of honor.
That are very rare indeed.
You're a good man, Charlie Brown,
And we know you will go very far.
Yes, it's hard to believe,
Almost frightening to conceive
What a good man you are.
You are kind to all the animals
And ev'ry little bird.
With a heart of gold you believe what you're told.
Lucy: Every single solitary word.
You bravely face adversity,
You're cheerful through the day,
You're thoughtful, brave and courteous,
Lucy: And you also have some faults, but for the
Moment let's just say...
All: That you're a good man, Charlie Brown.
(They break into a boisterous march)
You're a good man, Charlie Brown,
You're a prince, and a prince could be king.
With a heart such as yours
You can open any doors,
You can go out and do anything.
You could be king, Charlie Brown,
You could be king!
Lucy: If only you weren't so wishy-washy.
(The music and the marchers disappear as quickly as they arrived, and as the sound of a jangling school bell cuts through the fading voices, Charlie Brown is left alone at center stage, seated, clutching a paper bag)
You're a good man, Charlie Brown,
You're the kind of the reminder we need.
You have humility, nobility
And a sense of honor that are very rare indeed
You're a good man, Charlie Brown,
And we know you will go very far.
Yes it's hard to believe,
Almost frightening to conceive
What a good man
You are.
Schroeder: You are kind.
You are kind to all the animals and every little bird.
With a heart of gold,
You believe what you're told...
Lucy: Every single solitary word
You bravely face adversity,
You're cheerful through the day.
You're thoughtful, brave and courteous,
Lucy: And you also have some faults, but for the moment, let's just say...
All: That you're a good man, Charlie Brown
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la!
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la-la!
You're a good man, Charlie Brown
You're a prince and a prince could be king
With a heart such as yours you can open any doors
You can go out and do anything!
You could be king Charlie Brown!
You could be king!
Lucy: If only you weren't so wishy-washy.
You're a good man, Charlie Brown,
You're the kind of the reminder we need.
You have humility, nobility
And a sense of honor that is very rare indeed
You're a good man, Charlie Brown,
And we know you will go very far.
Yes it's hard to believe,
Almost frightening to conceive
What a good man
You are.
Schroeder: You are kind!
You are kind to all the animals and every little bird.
With a heart of gold,
You believe what you're told...
Lucy: Every single solitary word
You bravely face adversity,
You're cheerful through the day.
You're thoughtful, brave and courteous,
Lucy: And you also have some faults, but for the moment, let's just say...
That you're a good man, Charlie Brown
You're a prince and a prince could be king
With a heart such as yours you can open any doors
You can go out and do anything!
You could be king Charlie Brown!
You could be king!
Charlie Brown: Everybody says to me,
Others: You're a good man, Charlie Brown.
Charlie Brown: Every voice in harmony,
Others: You're a good man, Charlie Brown.
Charlie Brown: All I need is one more try.
Gotta get that kite to fly.
And I'm not the kind of guy who gives up easily.
Wonder why they stop to say,
Others:You're a good man, Charlie Brown,
Charlie Brown: Never liked me, anyway,
Others: You're a good man, Charlie Brown,
Charlie Brown: Trying not to rock the boat.
Not to make a scene.
A good man? Yes, but I confess,
I don't know what they mean.
I wanna rise like I should and do everything right.
But I lie awake at night, with questions in my ear.
I want to join the dance, but the answer isn't clear.
Others (Overlapping): Oooh, never sleep.
Oooh, loud and deep.
Oooh, take the leap.
Charlie Brown: Than I hear,
Others: Charlie Brown... Charlie Brown...
Lucy: You're a good man, Charlie Brown,
Schroeder/Snoopy/Linus: You're a good man, Charlie Brown,
Schroeder: Get on the bus.
Lucy: Get on the bus.
Linus]]: Go ahead, get on the bus, Charlie Brown!
Sally: Don't wanna be late for school!
Others: That's right!
Charlie Brown: Don't wanna be late!
All: Don't wanna be late for school!
Snoopy: Woof!
Others: You're a good man, Charlie Brown.
You're the kind of reminder we need.
You have humility, nobility and a sense of honor that is very rare indeed.
Charlie Brown (Overlapping): There they go again.
Don't know what they mean.
I'm not good, I'm not bad,
I'm something in between.
Snoopy: Woof!
Others: You're a good man, Charlie Brown.
Charlie Brown: I don't understand,
Others: You're a prince and a prince could be king.
With a heart such as yours, you could open any doors.
You could go out and do anything.
You could be king, Charlie Brown. You could be king!
Charlie Brown: "Nothing lasts forever",
Others: You could be king.
Charlie Brown: "All good things must end",
Others: Believe it.
Charlie Brown: I've memorized that phrase by heart.
Others: And you were born for this part.
Charlie Brown: So tell me.
Others: You're a good man.
Charlie Brown: I need to know it.
Others: You're a good man, Charlie Brown.
Charlie Brown: When do the good things start?
Lucy/Schroeder (Overlapping): You're a good man, Charlie Brown.
You're a good man, Charlie Brown.
Linus/Sally(Overlapping): Bravely facing adversity.
Always kind to the animals.
Snoopy: Oh, You're a good man.
All: You're a good man,
Charlie Brown!
Videos[]
