That's What Friends Are For
sung by Ernie (Jim Henson) and Bert (Frank Oz)
(The scene is Ernie and Bert's bedroom as the boys prepare to retire for the evening. Ernie has something on his mind.)
(spoken):
Ernie: Hey, Bert.
Bert: What is it, Ernie?
Ernie: You know, Bert, I just remembered I didn't put away all my toys. I left a big mess in the other room. Do you think I should get up and
clean that stuff up now?
Bert: Ernie, it's time to go to sleep now. You can do that in the
morning.
Ernie: It's pretty messy in there, Bert.
Bert: Well, Ernie, you're just a little messy. I've learned that. I'm used to it. Let's go to sleep.
Ernie: You know, Bert, you're a real friend. I'm messy and you don't like it messy, but because I'm your friend you don't mind too much if
I'm messy.
Bert: Well, not *too* much, Ernie. Let's just go to sleep.
Ernie: But, but that's what a friend is, Bert. I mean, not minding too much because you like somebody. That's a friend, Bert, a pal! Not
minding! That's what friends are for!
(sung):
Ernie: I am messy.
(spoken):
Bert: Really messy.
(sung):
Ernie: But you don't mind if I am messy.
If I'm messy, you don't mind it.
That's what friends are for!
You like pigeons.
(spoken):
Bert: I love 'em!
(sung):
Ernie: Well I don't mind if you like pigeons.
If you like 'em, I don't mind it.
That's what friends are for!
Friends help you put away your toys!
(doo doot de doo, doo doot de doo)
(spoken):
Bert: HELP?! I do it alone, mostly, Ernie!
(sung):
Ernie: Friends don't mind if you make a little noise!
(spoken):
Bert: A little noise, like what?
Ernie: Like this, Bert.
*plays drums*
You didn't mind that, did ya, Bert, old pal?
Bert: Oh, not much. Ernie, I'm tired. I'm really tired.
Ernie: You're tired, Bert. Well, that's ok, old buddy, you see I don't mind if you're tired because you're my friend. You can be tired if you want to!
(sung):
Ernie: You are tired.
Really tired.
Well I don't mind if you are tired.
If you're tired, I don't mind it.
That's what friends are for!
(spoken):
Bert: I'm gonna sleep anyway.
(sung):
Ernie: Friends always lend a helping hand.
(doo doot de doo, doo doot de doo)
Friends are the kind of friends that understand
And they don't mind it.
(spoken):
Ernie: Right, Bert? Bert? He's sleeping. Well I don't mind if he's sleeping because he's my friend, 'cause that's what friends are for!
Bert, it's okay if you're sleeping, Bert! I don't mind, Bert! It's okay!
Bert: What is okay?
(sung):
Ernie: You are sleeping.
Really sleeping.
But I don't mind if you are sleeping.
(spoken):
Bert: Sleeping!
(sung):
Ernie: If you're sleeping, I don't mind it.
That's what friends are for!
That's what friends, (scoo boop be boo),
That's what friends, (de deet de de)
(spoken):
Bert: I'm gonna go sleep in the kitchen.
(sung):
Ernie: That's what friends, (skee deep be doo),
That's what friends, (scoo doop de do),
That's what friends are for!
(spoken):
Ernie: Right, Bert? Bert? Hmm, I guess he's gone to sleep in the
kitchen again. *yawn* Well, if he wants to sleep in the kitchen that's
okay with me, because he's my friend!
Transcribed by Andrea Sunderland with HUGE help from Netters (more goodies on her fab site)