Two By Two Lyrics
Two By Two
ELDER PRICE:The most important time of Mormon
Kid's life
Is his mission.
A chance to go out
And help heal the world,
That's my mission.
Soon I'll be off in a different place,
Helping the whole human race.
I know my mission will be
Something incredible!
VOICE:
Elders, form a line and step forward when your name is called. ELDER YOUNG!
ELDER YOUNG:
Yes sir!
VOICE:
Your mission brother will be.... Elder Grant!
ELDER GRANT:
That- That's me! Hey brother!
VOICE:
Adn your mission location will be... NORWAY!
ELDER YOUNG:
Oh wow, NORWAY!
ELDER GRANT:
Land of gnomes... and trolls!
ALL:
Hoo wah!
Hey ya!
Shoo wah!
Zadup WOW!
ELDER YOUNG and ELDER GRANT:
Two by two,
We're marching door to door
Cause God loves Mormons,
And he wants some more!
A two year mission is our sacrifice!
We are the army of the church of
Jesus Christ!
ALL:
...Of Latter-day Saints!
Two by two,
And today we'll know
Who we'll make the journey with
And where we'll go
We're fighting for a cause,
But we're really really nice!
We are the army of the Church
Of Jesus Chirst!
... Of Latter-day Saints!
VOICE:
Elder White and Elder Smith!
ELDER SMITH:
I KNEW we'd get paired together!
VOICE:
Your location will be... FRANCE!
ELDER WHITE:
FRANCE! Land of Pastries and Turtlenecks!
ELDER SMITH and ELDER WHITE:
Two by two
I guess it's you and me
We're off the preach
Across land and sea!
ELDER WHITE:
Satan has a hold of France!
ELDER SMITH:
We need to knock him off his perch!
ELDER SMITH and ELDER WHITE:
We are the soldiers of the army
Of the church!
ALL:
Of Jesus Christ fo Latter-day Saints!
VOICE:
Elder Cross and Elder Green! You will
Be serving in.... Japan!
ELDER GREEN:
Ooh! JAPAN!?
ELDER CROSS:
Land of Soy Sauce!
ELDER GREEN:
And Mothra!
VOICE:
Elder Harris and Elder Brown!
ELDER PRICE:
Heavenly Father,
Where will I go on my mission?
ELDERS:
On my mission...
ELDER PRICE:
Will it be China,
Or ol' Mexico on my mission?
ELDERS:
My mission...
ELDER PRICE:
It could be San Fran by the bay,
Australia where they say \"G'day!\"
But I pray I'm sent
To my favorite place...
ORLANDO!
ELDERS:
Orlando...
ELDER PRICE:
I love you,
ELDER PRICE and ELDERS:
Orlando!
ELDER PRICE:
SeaWorld and Disney! And
ELDER PRICE and ELDERS:
Putt-putt
Golfing!
VOICE:
Elder Price!
ELDER PRICE:
Yes sir!
VOICE:
Your brother will be... Elder Cunningham!
ELDER CUNNINGHAM:
THAT'S ME! THAT'S ME! Hello!
ELDER PRICE:
Oh, hi!
VOICE:
And your mission location is.... UGANDA!
ELDER PRICE:
...Uganda?
ELDER CUNNINGHAM:
UGANDA! COOL! WHERE IS THAT...?!
VOICE:
Africa!
ELDER CUNNINGHAM:
OH BOY! Like Lion King!
ALL:
Two by two,
And now it's time to go!
Our paths have been revealed,
So let's start the show!
Our shirts are clean and pressed,
And our haircuts are precise!
We are the army of the church
Of Jesus...
CHRIST!
Two by two,
We march for victory!
Armed with the greatest book
In history!
We'll convert everyone
All across the planet Earth!
That is the beauty of...
The essence of...
The purpose of-
The mission of-
The soldiers of-
The army of the Church
Of Jesus Christ!
...of Latter-Day Saints!
Song Overview
Review and Highlights
Quick summary
- Opening missionary ensemble number from Act I
- Performed by Elder Price, Elder Cunningham, and missionaries
- Explains pairing rules and behavioral codes
- Uses classic Broadway brightness as setup for satire
The Book of Mormon (2011) - stage musical - diegetic. Early Act I training sequence, opening ensemble block. The song frames belief as orderly and optimistic, which sharpens later contrasts in tone and circumstance.
Creation History
Written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez, “Two by Two” borrows the language of instructional show tunes. The creators intentionally leaned into square rhythms and clear diction, echoing Golden Age Broadway. As stated in a London theatre press release, the goal was to make the rules sound friendly before reality complicates them.
Song Meaning and Annotations
Plot
The missionaries prepare for assignments, repeating rules about companionship, obedience, and conduct. Elder Price stands out as confident and ideal-driven, while Elder Cunningham follows with enthusiasm rather than polish.
Song Meaning
The song presents belief as structured certainty. Its brightness is sincere within the story, yet it quietly sets up tension by promising clarity in a world that will soon resist it.
Annotations
“We always go out two by two.”
This line is both literal and symbolic. It shows institutional safety while hinting at dependence on structure rather than experience.
“Never let your feelings get in the way.”
Here the lyrics preview conflict. Suppressing doubt works in rehearsal, not in lived situations.
Musically, the song uses brisk tempo, major-key harmony, and choral unison. The style echoes missionary manuals and youth choirs, grounding satire in familiarity. According to Rolling Stone magazine, this contrast-driven approach is central to the show’s narrative engine.
Technical Information
- Artist: Original Broadway Cast
- Composer: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Robert Lopez
- Producer: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Robert Lopez
- Release Date: March 24, 2011
- Genre: Musical theatre
- Instruments: Orchestra, ensemble vocals
- Label: Ghostlight Records
- Mood: Upbeat, instructional
- Language: English
- Album: The Book of Mormon Original Broadway Cast Recording
- Poetic meter: Iambic with strict rhythmic phrasing
Questions and Answers
- Why is the song placed so early?
- It establishes belief before challenge enters the story.
- Is the song ironic?
- Within the plot, no. The irony belongs to the audience perspective.
- What does pairing symbolize?
- Safety, accountability, and institutional order.
- Does Elder Price dominate musically?
- Yes, reflecting his confidence and leadership role.
- Why use a simple melody?
- Simplicity reinforces clarity and memorability.
- Is it comedic or sincere?
- It is sincerely performed, which creates comedy.
- How does it foreshadow later scenes?
- By promising certainty that the story later disrupts.
Awards and Chart Positions
The original cast album won the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
Additional Info
The song’s title references missionary pairing traditions. Critics often note how its cheerfulness primes the audience for sharper turns ahead, a technique praised in Broadway trade reviews.
Key Contributors
| Name | Role | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Trey Parker | Composer, Writer | Music and lyrics |
| Matt Stone | Writer | Book and lyrics |
| Robert Lopez | Composer | Music and lyrics |
Sources: Rolling Stone, NME, Broadway theatre press materials