The Oompa Loompas, those diminutive factory workers from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, are not just known for their orange skin and green hair. They are equally famous for their catchy, repetitive songs, delivered with a strong dose of moral judgment. These tunes, instantly recognizable and often humorous, serve as cautionary tales, highlighting the flaws of the children who succumb to their vices within Willy Wonka’s fantastical chocolate factory. Let’s delve into the lyrics of these memorable songs and explore the lessons they impart.
Augustus Gloop – A Lesson in Greed
Augustus Gloop, the first child to fall victim to his own gluttony, is serenaded with a song that directly addresses his insatiable appetite. The lyrics are a playful yet pointed critique of overindulgence:
Oompa Loompa, doompety doo
I’ve got a perfect puzzle for you
Oompa Loompa, doompety dee
If you are wise you’ll listen to meWhat do you get when you guzzle down sweets?
Eating as much as an elephant eats
What are you at getting terribly fat?
What do you think will come of that?I don’t like the look of it
Oompa Loompa doompety da
If you’re not greedy you will go far
You will live in happiness too
Like the oompa loompa Doompety do
Doompety do
This Oompa Loompa song lyric paints a vivid picture of Augustus’s gluttony, comparing his eating habits to that of an elephant. The “puzzle” posed is rhetorical, leading to the inevitable consequence of excessive eating – becoming “terribly fat.” The Oompa Loompas’ disapproval is clear (“I don’t like the look of it”), and the moral is straightforward: greed is detrimental, and moderation is the path to happiness.
Violet Beauregarde – The Perils of Chewing Gum
Violet Beauregarde’s obsession with chewing gum becomes the subject of the next Oompa Loompa song. This time, the lyrics address the specific vice of compulsive gum chewing and its unpleasant nature:
Oompa Loompa, doompety doo
I’ve got another puzzle for you
Oompa Loompa, doompeda dee
If you are wise you’ll listen to meGum chewing’s fine when it’s once in a while
It stops you from smoking and brightens your smile
But it’s repulsive revolting and wrong
Chewing and chewing all day longThe way that a cow does
Oompa Loompa do-doompety da
Given good manners you will go far
You will live in happiness too
Like the oompa loompa Doompety do
Here, the Oompa Loompa Song Lyrics acknowledge a potential positive aspect of gum chewing (“stops you from smoking and brightens your smile”). However, they quickly pivot to condemn the excess, labeling constant chewing as “repulsive revolting and wrong.” The comparison to a cow chewing underscores the unrefined and incessant nature of Violet’s habit. The underlying message is about moderation and the importance of good manners, suggesting that even harmless habits can become vices when taken to extremes.
Veruca Salt – The Spoiled Child’s Downfall
Veruca Salt, the epitome of a spoiled brat, receives a song that shifts blame from the child to the parents. This Oompa Loompa song lyric is a social commentary on parenting styles and the consequences of indulgence:
Oompa Loompa doompety doo
I’ve got another puzzle for you
Oompa Loompa doompety dee
If you are wise you will listen to meWho do you blame when your kid is a brat
Pampered and spoiled like a Siamese cat?
Blaming the kids is a lie and a shame
You know exactly who’s to blame
The mother and the father!Oompa Loompa doompety da
If you’re not spoiled then you will go far
You will live in happiness too
Like the Oompa Loompa doompety do
This song directly points the finger at Veruca’s parents for her spoiled behavior. The lyrics argue that blaming the child is disingenuous (“a lie and a shame”) and that the true responsibility lies with the parents who have “pampered and spoiled” her. The Oompa Loompas’ message is a critique of permissive parenting and the importance of raising children to be unselfish and well-behaved. The “puzzle” here is about accountability and recognizing the root cause of Veruca’s negative traits.
Mike Teavee – The Dangers of Television Overconsumption
Finally, Mike Teavee, the television addict, is presented with a song that warns against the pitfalls of excessive screen time and promotes the value of reading. This Oompa Loompa song lyric is particularly relevant in today’s media-saturated world:
Oompa Loompa doompety doo
I’ve got another puzzle for you
Oompa Loompa doompeda dee
If you are wise you’ll listen to meWhat do you get from a glut of TV?
A pain in the neck and an IQ of three
Why don’t you try simply reading a book?
Or could you just not bear to look?You’ll get no
You’ll get no
You’ll get no
You’ll get no
You’ll get no commercialsOompa Loompa Doompety Da
If you’re not greedy you will go far
You will live in happiness too
Like the OompaOompa Loompa Doompety do
Mike’s Oompa Loompa song lyrics are the most directly critical, associating excessive TV viewing with negative physical and intellectual consequences (“a pain in the neck and an IQ of three”). The song contrasts television with reading books, advocating for intellectual engagement over passive entertainment. The humorous repetition of “You’ll get no commercials” further emphasizes the point, mocking the perceived emptiness of television content. The underlying message is about the importance of intellectual pursuits and the dangers of becoming overly reliant on passive media consumption.
In conclusion, the Oompa Loompa songs are more than just whimsical tunes. They are integral to the narrative of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, serving as entertaining and memorable vehicles for delivering moral lessons. Through these songs, Roald Dahl, via the Oompa Loompas, imparts timeless wisdom about the dangers of greed, excess, spoiled behavior, and the over-reliance on television, making these lyrics resonate with audiences across generations. These cautionary songs ensure that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory remains not just a fantastical adventure, but also a valuable source of life lessons.
