Valley Fellowship Players

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren

production dates:
May 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, and 17, 2003

Songs

Prologue (Tower of Babble)
Prepare Ye, the Way of the Lord

Save the People
Day by Day
Learn Your Lessons Well
Bless the Lord
All for the Best
All Good Gifts
Light of the World
Turn Back, O Man
Alas For You
By My Side
We Beseech Thee
Beautiful City
On The Willows
Finale
Day by Day (Reprise)

          Godspell is the story of Jesus and the community of believers he brought into existence. God's good news often sneaks into our lives on the wings of laughter, and that is the intent of this musical. It's a comedy ... and yet, if you listen, God speaks and we hear.
         On this page are the words to the songs, many of which are old hymns of the church with different melodies. Interspersed is a synopsis of what happens between the tunes. Links abound to those hymns and the scriptures upon which it all is based. Check it out! 
         Some Christians take offense at using comedy to share the gospel story. Jesus and his disciples in clown outfits to them is too much. Remember, though, that Jesus himself was considered offensive to many religious people 2,000 years ago. His followers were fishermen, for heaven's sake. Everyone knows the tall tales they can tell. His parables stretched the faith, often in quite humorous ways. Finally, the cross was considered foolish business, at least in some eyes.  If you cannot hear God speak through this musical (the words to which are heavily taken straight from the King James Bible) maybe you need to take the plank out of your own eye.
         Each production of Godspell is unique, for every group puts their own personal stamp on it. That's true of our rendition. We've added some elements, taken away others, placed a song in a different location, spread the lines and tunes around to different people - each of whom is gifted in their own unique way. This Godspell thus becomes the Gospel according to this company of believers who have come together at this moment in time to put it onstage. We are merely passing on what we have received, but doing so in our own dress - which is what the church has been called out to do everywhere. To say all this in a slightly different way - we are, like the apostle Paul, "fools for Christ sake."          So rejoice with us, and laugh ... and live! 

- Godspell page (with links) on musical schwartz.com  
- notes by Stephen Schwartz                                     
- How the musical Godspell originally came into being


ACT ONE

         Godspell begins with Jesus (offstage) declaring himself as God and King in whom there is no beginning and no end. The company (onstage) takes on the roles of different philosophers who debate the existence of the God. Their musical discussion disintegrates into an "ivory tower of babble" where ideas become only fragments.

   
PROLOGUE
(Tower of Babble)

various philosophical sources adapted by John Michael Tebelek

Listen to the music (midi file)

Socrates:

Wherefore, O men of Athens,
I say to you:
Therefore, acquit me or not
But whichever you do
I shall never alter my ways
Never adjust my approach to this maze
Never reform til the end of my days
Even if I have to die many times.

Thomas Aquinas:

God is apprehended by imagination, intuition, reason,
              touch, opinion, sense, and name - and so on.
While on quite the other hand, we find we can't begin to
Understand him, so to some it seems a shame
To go on
But he is all things in all
And he is nothing in any
He is often found in one thing small
Conversely, he is often missed in many.

Martin Luther:

God almighty has made our rulers mad
God almighty has turned our people bad
For the German nobility, with typical agility,
Have so applied their skill at egregious laws
That the people are lead astray; they feel beholden to obey
I may be just the German way, but God, it gives one pause.
     

DaVinci: Gibbon:
The rise of man...
Was natural...
   
Man is so levitable!
   
   
Instead of admiring
Man's filling of the void.
We should rather be surprised
That God had man so tyrannized

... Man will be strong
So long   
The decline of Rome...
Was natural...
And inevitable...
   
Instead of inquiring
Why Rome was destroyed...
   
  
We should rather be surprised
   
That Rome remained so strong
  
So long

Frederic Nietzsche:

What...
Is noble
Nowadays?

Jean Paul Sartre:

Atheistic existentialism
which I represent is
More coherent - I do believe it...

Buckminster Fuller:

Man is a complex of patterns, of processes...

Jean Paul Sartre:

There is no such thing as human nature,
not in all or few men,
Since there is no God to conceive it...

Buckminster Fuller:

Man is a complex of patterns, of processes...
I live on Earth at present, and I don't know what I am.
I know that I am not a category
I am not a thing - a noun
I seem to be a verb, an evolutionary process-
An integral function of the universe.

All:

So high
In my
Lovely Ivory Tower of Babel
            (babble, babble, babble, Babble, babble, babble, babble)
high above the
Rabble
            (rabble, rabble, rabble, Babble, Rabble, babble, babble, rabble, babble)
Greatest mind of history
Solving life's sweet mystery
So listen to me (so listen to me)
Know how life should be (know how life should be)
Oh, what does it matter if they don't agree?

[All then sing their parts at the same time, ending with a chorus of:]

Ahhh-ahhh
Ahhh-ahhh
Ahhh-ahhh
Ahhh-ahhh

Stephen Schwartz on the importance of this song in Godspell


    
         John the Baptist enters and prepares the way for Jesus, baptizing the company as they join in the song. At its conclusion, they quickly exit, leaving John alone.

    
PREPARE YE,
THE WAY OF THE LORD

Matthew 3:3 (Isaiah 40:3)
Listen to the music (midi file)

Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord

source of words:  Matthew 3:3 (Isaiah 40:3)
     


   
         While John preaches repentance to the audience (Matthew 3:7-12), Jesus quietly enters, and then asks to be baptized. John kneels and wishes to be baptized by him instead (Matthew 3:13-15). Bringing John back to his feet, Jesus is baptized and proclaims - in song - that he is here to save humanity. The company returns in clown costumes and joins in the song and dance.

   
SAVE THE PEOPLE

Listen to the music (midi file)

When wilt thou save the people?
Oh God of mercy, when?
Not kings and lords, but nations,
Not thrones and crowns, but men!
Flow'rs of thy heart, o God, are they;
Let them not pass, like weeds, away,
Their heritage a sunless day.
God save the people.

Shall crime bring crime forever,
Strength aiding still the strong?
Is it thy will, o Father,
That men shall toil for wrong?
"No", say thy mountains;
"No", say thy skies;
Man's clouded sun shall brightly rise,
And songs be heard instead of sighs.
God save the people.

When wilt thou save the people?
Oh God of mercy when?
The people, Lord, the people,
Not thrones and crowns, but men!
God save the people, for thine they are,
Thy children as thy angels fair.
God save the people from despair.
God save the people.
Oh God save the people!
God save the people!
Oh God save the people!
God save the people.
Oh God save the people!
God save the people!
Oh God save the people!

When wilt thou save the people?
O God of mercy when?
The people, Lord, the people,
Not thrones and crowns, but men!
God save the people, save us,
For thine they are, for thine they are.
Thy children as thy angels fair:
O, God save the people,
Save the people,
God save the people,
From despair.
God save the people!

God save the people,
O, God save the people,
God save the people,
O, God save the people,
God save the people,
God save the people,
God save the people.

source of words:  "When wilt thou save the People"
     


    
         Jesus gives to each of the company a special item which they wear until the end of the production. He assures them that he has come not to abolish the law of the prophets but to complete it, informing them that those who keep to the law of God will earn the highest place in heaven (Matthew 5:17-20). To illustrate this, he tells the story of the widow and the judge (Luke 18:2-8), which the company humorously acts out - as they do most of the stories. This parable shows that God is a good judge who will vindicate those who cry out to him day and night.
         Next comes the story of the Pharisee and the tax gatherer praying in the temple, to illustrate that every man who humbles himself before God shall be exalted (Luke 18:10-14).
         Even anger must be dealt with, Jesus says (Matthew 5:21-22), and the story of someone bringing their gift to the altar when a brother holds something against them (Matthew 5:23-26) is acted out as if it were an Olympic event. Then, all clapping in rhythm, they act out the story of a King who had a servant who owed him a great debt (Matthew 18:23-35). Asking for  pity, the servant's debt was forgiven. However, the servant left and demanded repayment from a fellow servant, without showing the same compassion he had received. The king heard and condemned this unforgiving servant to prison. Jesus thus proclaims the importance of forgiveness.
         Judy then sings “Day By Day” which is a prayer for clear vision. The company joins in the song.

  
DAY BY DAY

Listen to the music (midi file)

Day by day
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day

Day by day
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day

source of words:  "Day by Day"
   


       
         After the song ends, Jesus preaches that if one part of the body offends, it is better to lose it than to have the whole of it thrown into hell (Matthew 5:27-30).
         In a series of vignettes, the company acts out Jesus' answers to such problems as “if someone slaps you on the right cheek...” or “if a man sues you for your shirt...” or “if a man asks you to go a mile with him...” (Matthew 5:38-42). Then comes a “Winnie the Pooh” puppet show of the Good Samaritan story (Luke 10:30-35) performed for Jesus, who then tells them to love their enemies and not to make a show of religion (Matthew 5:43-6:4). If good deeds are done in secret, the reward will come from God.
         The company performs the story of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31). Lazarus is a poor man who goes to heaven. The rich man goes to hell, where he begs to let Lazarus rise from the dead in order to warn his rich brothers of their eventual fate.
         Nicole, Terri, and Caitlin sing “Learn Your Lesson Well” in which they warn of eternal doom if one does not learn what God desires.

   
LEARN YOUR LESSONS WELL

Listen to the music (midi file)

I can see a swath of sinners settin' yonder
And they're actin' like a pack of fools.
Gazin' into space lettin' their minds wander,
'Stead of studyin' the good Lord's rules.
You better pay attention,
Build your comprehension,
There's gonna be a quiz at your ascension.
Not to mention any threat of hell,
But if you're smart you'll learn your lessons well!

Ev'ry bright description of the promised land meant,
You can reach it if you keep alert.
Learnin' ev'ry line and ev'ry last commandment
May not help you, but it couldn't hurt.
First ya gotta read 'em, then ya gotta heed 'em.
Ya never know when you're gonna need 'em
Just as old Elijah said to Jezebel
"You better start to learn your lessons well!"

Original lyric by Stephen Schwartz


    


    
         Jesus tells the company that no one can can serve two masters - God and money (Matthew 6:24). Following the story of a man who spends his life accumulating things and then dies before he can enjoy it (Luke 12:16-20), Christine then sings “Oh Bless the Lord, My Soul” in which she praises a patient and wise God. The cast joins in on the song and dance.

    
BLESS THE LORD

Listen to the music (midi file)

Oh bless the Lord my soul!
His praise to thee proclaim!
And all that is within me join,
To bless His holy name!
Oh yeah!
Oh bless the Lord my soul!
His mercies bear in mind!
Forget not all His benefits,
The Lord, to thee, is kind.

He will not always chide
He will with patience wait
His wrath is ever slow to rise
Oh bless the Lord
And ready to abate
And ready to abate
Oh yeah!
Oh bless the lord
Bless the lord my soul
Oh bless the lord my soul! He pardons all thy sins
Prolongs thy feeble breath
He healeths thine infirmities
And ransoms thee from death
He clothes thee with his love
Upholds thee with his truth
And like an eagle he renews
The vigor of thy youth Then bless His holy name
Whose grace hath made thee whole
Whose love and kindness crowns
Thy days
Oh bless the lord
Bless the lord my soul
Oh bless the lord my soul! Bless the lord my soul
Oh bless the lord my soul!
Bless the lord my soul
Oh bless the lord my soul!
Bless the lord, bless the lord
My soul!
Bless the lord my soul!

source of words:  "O bless the Lord, my soul,"
(an adaptation from Psalm 103)


   


      
         Jesus bids the company to put away thoughts of material things and anxieties about tomorrow (Matthew 6:24-34). The company recites the beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), and Jesus answers them in a call-and-response manner. However, Judas recites the final beatitude about persecution and directs it at Jesus. The company freezes with fear about possible events to come. However, Jesus quickly changes the subject and sings “All for the Best,” through which he assures everyone that even if life is bad, their reward will be in heaven. Al sings a verse of the song as well, and he and Jesus perform a soft shoe dance. The company joins in with canes in hand and feet moving.

    
ALL FOR THE BEST

Listen to the music (midi file)

             Jesus:

When you feel sad, or under a curse
Your life is bad, your prospects are worse
Your wife is sighing, crying,
And your olive tree is dying,
Temples are graying, and teeth are decaying
And creditors weighing your purse...
Your mood and your robe
Are both a deep blue
You'd bet that Job
Had nothing on you...
Don't forget that when you get to
Heaven you'll be blessed..
Yes, it's all for the best...

             Al:

Some men are born to live at ease, doing what they please,
Richer than the bees are in honey
Never growing old, never feeling cold
Pulling pots of gold from thin air
The best in every town, best at shaking down
Best at making mountains of money
They can't take it with them, but what do they care?
They get the center of the meat, cushions on the seat
Houses on the street where it's sunny..
Summers at the sea, winters warm and free
All of this and we get the rest...
But who is the land for? the sun and the sand for?
You guessed! It's all for the best...

[Vaudeville style jokes ending with a serious note about 
 taking care of the log in your own eye before trying to  
 remove the speck out of your brothers (Matthew 7:3-5).]

             Jesus, Al, and company:

Don't forget that when you get to Heaven you'll be blessed!
Yes, it's all for the.....(all your wrongs will be redressed..)
Yes, it's all for the.....(you must never be distressed....)
Yes, it's all for the.....(someone's got to be oppressed!)
Yes, it's all for the best!!!

Original lyric by Stephen Schwartz

 


    
         After the song ends, the company shows - in “3 Stooges” fashion -  how the act of judging others eventually returns to hurt you (Matthew 7:1-2). Jesus then helps Caitlin to tell the parable of the Sower and the Seeds (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23) which represent the Word of God. To further illustrate the parable, Mark sings “All Good Gifts.”

    
ALL GOOD GIFTS

Listen to the music (midi file)

We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land..
But it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand..
He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain...
The breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain...

All good gifts around us
Are sent from Heaven above
So thank the Lord, oh thank the Lord for all his love...

We thank thee then, O Father, for all things bright and good,
The seedtime and the harvest, our life, our health, our food,
No gifts have we to offer for all thy love imparts
But that which thou desirest, our humble thankful hearts!

All good gifts around us
Are sent from Heaven above..
So thank the Lord, oh thank the Lord for all his love..

I really wanna thank you Lord!

source of words:  "We plow the fields and scatter"
   


      
         Using a take-off of the TV game show, "Family Feud," the Caan and Carnegie families then try to win by naming as many of the 10 commandments (Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 5:6-21) as they can. The losers reject the consolation prize and all fight for the "pearl" the winners receive, about which Jesus has a few things to say (Matthew 7:6).  The company then acts out the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), after which the father and his two sons in the parable sing "Beautiful City."

   
BEAUTIFUL CITY

Listen to the music (midi file)

Come sing me sweet rejoicing
Come sing me love
We're not afraid of voicing
All the things
We're dreaming of
Oh, high and low,
And everywhere we go

We can build
A beautiful city
Yes we can
Oh yes we can
We can build
A beautiful city
Call it out
And call it the city of man

We don't need alabaster
We don't need chrome
We've got our special plaster
Take my hand (Take my hand)
I'll take you home (I'll take you home!)
We see nations rise
In each other's eyes (in each other's eyes!)

We can build (we can build)
A beautiful city (a beautiful city)
Yes we can
Oh yes we can
We can build (we can build)
A beautiful city (a beautiful city)
Call it out
And call it the city of man

Come sing me sweet rejoicing
Come sing me love
We're not afraid of voicing
All the things (all the things)
We're dreaming of (we're dreaming of)
Oh, high and low,
And everywhere we go (everywhere we go)

We can build (we can build)
A beautiful city (a beautiful city)
Yes we can
Oh yes we can
We can build (we can build)
A beautiful city (a beautiful city)
Call it out
And call it the city of man

This song was written for the 1973 movie adaptation of Godspell.
For more info, see the musicalschwartz.com page about it.
The lyrics for this song do not come from scripture.
    


       
         In rap style, Jesus tells of how God desires to give his children "good things" (Matthew 7:9-12)Act I ends in black-light and white gloves with “Light of the World,” a song which encourages everyone to be shining beacons in the world. As the band plays on, Jesus then announces a ten minute break and thanks the audience for coming.

   
LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Listen to the music (midi file)

You are the light of the world!
You are the light of the world!
But if that light is under a bushel,
It's lost something kind of crucial
You've got to stay bright to be the light of the world

You are the salt of the earth
You are the salt of the earth
But if that salt has lost it's flavor
It ain't got much in its favor
You can't have that fault and be the salt of the earth!

(chorus):
So let your light so shine before men
Let your light so shine
So that they might know some kindness again
We all need help to feel fine (let's have some wine!)

You are the city of God
You are the city of God
But if that city's on a hill
It's kinda hard to hide it well
You've got to stay pretty in the city of God

(chorus):
So let your light so shine before men
Let your light so shine
So that they might know some kindness again
We all need help to feel fine (let's have some wine!)

You are the light of the world
You are the light of the world
But the tallest candlestick
Ain't much good without a wick
You've got to live right to be the light of the world

An adaptation of Matthew 5:13-16
    



 

ACT TWO

         The cast returns onstage, with Russ, Mark, and Al  (in wigs and 'feminine' voices) humorously singing a reprise of “Learn Your Lessons Well.”  Afterward, Terri comes up through the audience singing “Turn Back O Man.” Jesus joins her in the song, and the company joins in the dance.

     
TURN BACK O MAN

Listen to the music (midi file)

Turn back, O man
Forswear thy foolish ways
Old now is earth
And none may count her days
Da, da, da, da, da
Yet thou, her child
Whose head is crowned with flames
Still wiltl not hear
Thine inner God proclaim

Turn back, O man (is your seat comfortable sir?) (mm, I like that)
Turn back, O man (is my seat comfortable sir?) (Handle with care)
Turn back, O man (can you take it?)
Forswear thy foolish ways
(See ya later I'm going to the front of the thee-ay-ter)
(Hold me while I slip into something more comfortable)

Earth might be fair
And all men glad and wise
Age after age their tragic empires rise
Da, da, da, da, da.
Built while they dream
And in that dreaming weep
Would man but wake
From out his haunted sleep

Turn back, O man...
Turn back, O man... (hard as a rock)
Turn back, O man...
Forswear thy foolish ways

Earth shall be fair
And all her people one
Not till that hour
Shall God's whole will be done
Now, even now
Once more from earth to sky
Peals forth in joy
Man's old undaunted cry
Earth shall be fair
And all her people one

C'mere Jesus, I got something to show ya!
(chorus repeat first verse)
Forswear thy foolish ways!

source of words:  "Turn back, O man, forswear"


     
         Cast members then become Pharisees who question Jesus’ authority in a variety of ways, and he responds (Matthew 21:23-32; 22:16-21, 36-40; 23:1-10).  In the song, ”Alas for You,” Jesus scorns the Pharisees and calls them hypocrites, turning over the tables upon which they had been sitting.

      
ALAS FOR YOU

Listen to the music (midi file)

Alas, alas for you,
Lawyers and pharisees
Hypocrites that you be
Searching for souls and fools to forsake them
You travel the land you scour the sea
After you've got your converts you make them
Twice as fit for hell!
As you are yourselves!

Alas, alas, for you
Lawyers and pharisees
Hypocrites that you are
Sure that the kingdom of Heaven awaits you
You will not venture half so far
Other men that might enter the gates you
Keep from passing through!
Drag them down with you!
You snakes, you viper's brood
You cannot escape being Devil's food!
I send you prophets, and I send you preachers
Sages in rages and ages of teachers
Nothing can mar your mood

Alas, alas for you
Lawyers and pharisees
Hypocrites to a man
Sons of the dogs who murdered the prophets
Finishing off what your fathers began
You don't have time to scorn or to scoff
It's getting very late!
Vengeance doesn't wait!
You snakes, you viper's brood
You cannot escape being Devil's food!
I send you prophets, and I send you preachers
Sages in rages and ages of teachers
Nothing can mar your mood

Blind guides, blind fools
The blood you've spilt
On you will fall!
This nation, this generation
Shall bear the guilt of it all!

Alas, alas alas for you!
Blind fools!!

An adaptation of Matthew 23:13-37
    


      
         At the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Jesus predicts that he will not be seen again until a future time (Matthew 23:37-39). He remembers the days of Noah when the flood swept over the land and drowned humankind (Matthew 24:4-8, 37-44). He predicts that when he comes again, only one man and one woman will be taken with him. The rest will be left wailing outside the kingdom of God.
         Acting out a story of 3 servants left in charge when their master goes away (Matthew 24:45-51), the cast discovers which one remains faithful when the show host asks, "will the real D. Trusty Servant please stand up."
         Caitlin is thrown down onto the stage and called an adulteress. Jesus tells the company that the one who is faultless can throw the first stone at her. When no one condemns her, Jesus tells her that he will not condemn her either, but she must not sin again (John 8:3-11). She then sings, “By My Side,” asking Jesus to travel with her.

   
BY MY SIDE

Listen to the music (midi file)

Where are you going?
Where are you going?
Can you take me with you?
For my hand is cold
And needs warmth
Where are you going?

Far beyond where the horizon lies
Where the horizon lies
And the land sinks into mellow blueness
Oh please, take me with you

Let me skip the road with you
I can dare myself
I can dare myself
I'll put a pebble in my shoe
And watch me walk (watch me walk)
I can walk and walk!
(I can walk!)

I shall call the pebble Dare
I shall call the pebble Dare
We will talk, we will talk together
We will talk (chorus) about walking
Dare shall be carried
And when we both have had enough
I will take him from my shoe, singing:
"Meet your new road!"
Then I'll take your hand
Finally glad
Finally glad
That you are here
By my side

By my side
By my side
By my side

(Spoken- Judas)
Then the man they called Judas Iscariot
Went to the chief priests, and said
"What will you give me to betray Him to you?"
They paid him thirty pieces of silver.

(Spoken - other character)
And from that moment, he began to look out for an opportunity
To betray Him.
(Matthew 26:14-16)

By my side
By my side
By my side
By my side

Original lyric by Jay Hamburger
    


      
         Following the reminder of Judas' betrayal within the song, Jesus tells of a time when he will sit in glory and divide men into two groups like a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. His righteous sheep will enter heaven while the cursed goats will face eternal fire (Matthew 25:31-46). The goats beg for mercy, and Al sings “We Beseech Thee,” with the cast then joining in the song and dance.

   
WE BESEECH THEE

Listen to the music (midi file)

Father, hear thy children's call
Humbly at thy feet we fall
Prodigals confessing all
We beseech thee, hear us!

We thy call have disobeyed
Into paths of sin have strayed
And repentance have delayed
We beseech thee, hear us!

Come sing about Love!
That made us first to be
Come sing about Love!
That made the stone and tree
Come sing about Love!
That draws us lovingly
We beseech thee, hear us!

Sick! We come come to thee for cure
Guilty! We seek thy mercy sure
Evil! We long to be made pure
We beseech thee, hear us!
Blind! We pray that we may see
Bound! We pray to be made free
Stained! We pray for sanctity
We beseech thee, hear us!

Come sing about Love!
That made us first to be
Come sing about Love!
That made the stone and tree
Come sing about Love!
That draws us lovingly
We beseech thee, hear us!

By the gracious saving call
Spoken tenderly to all
Who have shared man's guilt and fall
We beseech thee, hear us!
By the love that longs to bless
Pitying our sore distress
Leading us to holiness
We beseech thee, hear us!

Grant us all from earth to rise
And to strain with eager eyes
Towards the promised Heavenly prize
We beseech thee, hear us!

Come sing about Love!
That made us first to be
Come sing about Love!
That made the stone and tree
Come sing about Love!
That draws us lovingly
We beseech thee, hear us!

source of words:  "Father, hear thy children's call"
   


      
         When the song is over, the company sings a reprise of “Day By Day” as they return to Jesus what he had given to them at the beginning (all except Judas, who keeps his whistle). Jesus announces that one of the company will betray him, and then tells Judas to do quickly what he must do (Matthew 26:20-22, 25; John 13:27). Judas runs off.  Then, after a prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus shares with the rest the bread and wine, and announces that it is his body and blood. They will all eat and drink together again in the kingdom of God (Matthew 26:26-29). While the band sings and plays “On the Willows,” the cast share their goodbyes with Jesus - one by one.

    
ON THE WILLOWS

Listen to the music (midi file)

On the willows, there
We hung up our lives
For our captors there
Required
Of us songs
And our tormentors mirth
On the willows, there
We hung up our lives
For our captors there
Required
Of us songs
And our tormentor's mirth
Saying
Sing us one
Of the songs of Zion
Sing us one
Of the songs of Zion
But how can we sing?
Sing the Lord's songs?
In a foreign land?

An adaptation of Psalm 137
    


      
         Jesus then prays in the garden (Matthew 26:31-42). In a moment of uncertainty, he begs for the burden to be lifted from him and is tempted by the devil, but he orders the devil to be gone (a reprise of Matthew 4:1-11).
         Judas returns and betrays Jesus with a kiss (Matthew 26:47-50), blowing the whistle. Jesus is crucified on the fence upstage while the company climbs the fence and wails. In the “Finale,” Jesus sings as he dies...
         “Long Live God,” one voice sings after the silence, then another, until all join in. “Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord” comes in as a counter melody while the company removes Jesus from the fence and carries him off.

   
FINALE

Listen to the music (midi file)

Oh God, I'm bleeding
Oh God, I'm bleeding
Oh God, you're bleeding

Oh God, I'm dying
Oh God, you're dying
Oh God, I'm dying

Oh God, I'm dead
Oh God, you're dead
Oh God, you're dead

Long live God, long live God
Long live God, long live God
Long live God, long live God
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord (Long live God, long live God)
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord (Long live God, long live God)
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord (Long live God, long live God)

Original lyric by Stephen Schwartz; reprise of Matthew 3:3
     


      

The cast exits. From outside the hall, Jesus says,
"And on the third day Jesus rose from the Dead, in fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets."
(1 Corinthians 15:4)
The company then reenters onstage for bows with a reprise of "Day by Day."

   
Day By Day
(Reprise) (Bows)

Listen to the music (see above)

Day by day
Day by day
Oh dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day

Day by day
Day by day
Oh dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly (day by day!)
Love thee more dearly (day by day!)
Follow thee more nearly (day by day!)
Day by day (day by day!)
Day by day (day by day!)
Day by day (day by day!)


    

Ending Thoughts

         Does Godspell tell the whole story of Jesus? No. In fact, as a narrative, it's more a series of vignettes and less a play with a consistent plot. For source material it relies heavily upon the teachings and parables of Jesus as found (if you note from the above scripture references) primarily in the gospel of Matthew and some from Luke. Missing are his healings and other miracles. It doesn't tell the whole story. Jesus and the church he brought into being are bigger than any retelling, otherwise why would we have four canonical gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) instead of just one? The other parts of the story? Well, isn't that why God's people gather together on a regular basis, to remember?
         A major question raised about how Godspell ends concerns the resurrection. Jesus is cut down from the cross (a fence) and carried offstage while the cast sings "Long live God" and "Prepare ye." When does Jesus rise? - an important element of Christian belief. Some point to this (among other things) as evidence that Godspell is "a slap-stick, harlequin, blasphemous musical supposedly based upon the gospel according to St. Matthew," produced by "the hippie counter-culture." We just plain don't believe this is so. A comedy? Indeed! Blasphemy? No! Our production chose to end (as it begins) with the voice of Jesus - at this point paraphrasing the words of the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15:4) on the resurrection. That's just our "take," one of the ways we have put our own stamp on this musical. According to composer Stephen Schwartz, "Godspell is about the formation of a community which carries on JESUS’ teachings after he has gone. In other words, it is the effect JESUS has on the OTHERS which is the story of the show, not whether or not he himself is resurrected."
         Regardless of  if or when you sense the risen Christ in this production, the important point is this - what will you do with what you have seen and heard after you leave? When all the bows have ended, our cast steps into the audience (or is it a congregation?) and finishes with the "Day by day" that we all face. The community drawn together by Christ, thus, is not the actors on stage, but the people who then go forth to live. ... "Prepare ye the way of the Lord!"


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