Camelot Lyrics
Camelot
ARTHUR:It's true! It's true! The crown has made it clear.
The climate must be perfect all the year.
A law was made a distant moon ago here:
July and August cannot be too hot.
And there's a legal limit to the snow here
In Camelot.
The winter is forbidden till December
And exits March the second on the dot.
By order, summer lingers through September
In Camelot.
Camelot! Camelot!
I know it sounds a bit bizarre,
But in Camelot, Camelot
That's how conditions are.
The rain may never fall till after sundown.
By eight, the morning fog must disappear.
In short, there's simply not
A more congenial spot
For happily-ever-aftering than here
In Camelot.
Camelot! Camelot!
I know it gives a person pause,
But in Camelot, Camelot
Those are the legal laws.
The snow may never slush upon the hillside.
By nine p.m. the moonlight must appear.
In short, there's simply not
A more congenial spot
For happily-ever-aftering than here
In Camelot.
Song Overview
Song Credits
- Producer: Goddard Lieberson
- Writers: Alan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe
- Recorded at: CBS 30th Street Studio
- Release Date: 1960-12-12
- Genre: Broadway, Musicals, Pop
- Album: Camelot (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
- Language: English
- Style: Theatrical, Orchestral, Dramatic
Song Meaning and Annotations
In a world teeming with theatrical overtures and larger-than-life declarations, Richard Burton’s Camelot stands as a wistful, almost fantastical anthem for a kingdom not just ruled but imagined. This is no mere song — it's a spoken-sung monologue of Arthurian idealism, veiled in legalese and fog that vanishes on cue.
The crown has made it clear / The climate must be perfect all the yearHere, King Arthur, spoken and sung by Burton with Shakespearean baritone, introduces the realm of Camelot as if reciting ordinances from a celestial HOA. These aren't just weather predictions — they're commandments. Snow is timed like stage cues, fog is banished by decree, and summer is on contract.
Camelot revels in romanticism — not just the romantic kind, but a romance with control, perfection, and a kind of whimsical utopia that never lets reality seep in:
The rain may never fall till after sundown / By 8, the morning fog must disappearIt’s bureaucratic paradise, and also gently satirical. Arthur’s tone, and Burton’s delivery, implies both genuine longing and a subtle wink — as if even the king knows the absurdity of legislating moonlight.
Symbolism and Myth
The song, composed by the iconic Broadway team of Lerner and Loewe, is pure theatrical spectacle. Yet underneath, it captures the fragile dream of Camelot — a place designed not just as a physical setting but a moral aspiration. It represents order in a chaotic world, a fantasy held aloft by idealism and hope.
In short, there's simply not / A more congenial spot / For happily-ever-afteringIt’s not just a sales pitch; it’s a prayer. A place where problems are climate-controlled and the messiness of life is tamed by legislation and song.
Similar Songs
- "The Impossible Dream" – Richard Kiley (from Man of La Mancha)
Both songs are monologues cloaked in melody. Where Camelot dreams of utopia, “The Impossible Dream” dreams of personal valor. They both build myth with booming voices and swelling orchestras — one fantastical, the other philosophical. - "Edelweiss" – Theodore Bikel (from The Sound of Music)
A softer, more introspective cousin to “Camelot.” Though it lacks the legal whimsy, “Edelweiss” shares a love of place — a kind of patriotic affection wrapped in melody. Both songs evoke nostalgia for a place that maybe never was. - "My Fair Lady (Finale)" – Rex Harrison
Alan Jay Lerner penned both, and you can feel it — the rhythm, the aristocratic diction, the sophisticated charm. “My Fair Lady” and “Camelot” both hinge on characters wrestling with identity through language and performance.
Questions and Answers
- What is the song "Camelot" about?
- It's a whimsical introduction to the mythical kingdom of Camelot, where weather and nature obey royal decrees. It represents idealism, perfection, and the fantasy of utopia.
- Why is the weather so important in the song?
- The weather is a metaphor for control and harmony — in Camelot, even the climate bends to human will, reflecting the kingdom's dreamlike perfection.
- Was Richard Burton a singer?
- Not traditionally. Burton was a Shakespearean actor, and in this role he uses more of a spoken-singing style, lending gravitas rather than melody.
- What is the tone of the song?
- It’s simultaneously grand and gently humorous. The lyrics blend regal seriousness with a hint of satire, suggesting Arthur’s romanticism may be a little naive.
- Who composed "Camelot"?
- The song was written by Alan Jay Lerner (lyrics) and Frederick Loewe (music) — a duo famous for crafting Broadway classics like "My Fair Lady" and "Brigadoon."
Fan and Media Reactions
"Richard Burton’s voice makes you believe in magic. You want Camelot to be real." – YouTube user @StageAndSteel
"There’s something so charmingly absurd about legislating moonlight. Love it." – YouTube user @TheatricalNerd
"This song taught me what satire was, without me even realizing it." – YouTube user @OldBroadwayKid
"The most British-sounding climate policy ever written. 10/10." – YouTube user @KnightOfTheRound
"Burton doesn’t sing, he conjures. He makes the air feel medieval." – YouTube user @FogBeforeEight
While not your typical Broadway showstopper, Camelot has earned lasting affection for its lush, regal absurdity and Richard Burton’s unmatched charisma. It's both nostalgic and timeless — a glimpse into a kingdom that exists only in the spaces between orchestra swells and theatrical imagination.