Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: show-tunes
Song Meaning of “The Dwarves” by Alan Menken
The Dwarves is a song from Disney’s animated movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Written by American composer Alan Menken, the song is an up-tempo number in which the seven dwarfs celebrate their work in the mines.
The overall theme of the song is one of triumph and self-celebration. While the lyrics talk of digging, hammering and carrying, they never once allude to the arduous labor of the work the dwarves do, nor do they acknowledge the societal pressures that they experience as dwarves. Instead, the lyrics focus on the joy and accomplishment they find in their work.
The chorus of the song is particularly uplifting, and each line is crafted as a cheerful call-and-response. Additionally, the chorus serves as an act of affirmation for the dwarves, as each time they sing it, they affirm their importance to both each other and to the society they work for.
The song also speaks to the strength and resilience of the dwarves. Though they are a small and often overlooked group, the song calls attention to their hard work, singing “We can do it all, by ourselves”. This line not only speaks of the dwarves’ power and collective spirit, but also emphasizes the lack of recognition they receive from society.