Godspell
LYRICS
PREPARE YE, THE WAY OF THE LORD
JOHN THE BAPTIST AND CHORUS
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Everybody now
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Everybody now
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
SAVE THE PEOPLE
JESUS
When wilt thou save the people?
Oh God of mercy when?
The people, Lord, the people
Not thrones and crowns,
But men
Flowers 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 as strong?
Is it thy will, O Father
That men shall toil
For wrong?
Oh, 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!
CHORUS
Oh God save the people!
JESUS
God save the people!
CHORUS
Oh God save the people!
JESUS
God save the people!
CHORUS
Oh God save the people!
JESUS
God save the people!
CHORUS
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!
Oh God save the people!
God save the people!
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!
God save the people!
God save the people!
DAY BY DAY
FREDRIC NIETZSCHE
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
CHORUS
Oh...
FREDRIC NIETZSCHE
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
FREDRIC NIETZSCHE AND CHORUS
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
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
Day by day by day by day...
LEARN YOUR LESSONS WELL
SOCRATES
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 ascencion
Not to mention any threat of hell
But if you're smart you'll learn your lessons well!
Every bright description of the promised land mentions
You can reach it if you keep alert
Learnin' every line and every 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!
BLESS THE LORD
MARTIN LUTHER
Oh bless the Lord my soul
His praise to thee proclaimed
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
MARTIN LUTHER AND CHORUS
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 heals thine infirmities
MARTIN LUTHER
And ransoms thee from death
MARTIN LUTHER AND CHORUS
He clothes thee with his love
Upholds thee with his truth
And like an eagle he renews
The vigor of thy youth
And 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!
ALL FOR THE BEST
JESUS
When you feel sad, or under a curse
Your life is bad, your prospects are worse
Your wife is crying, sighing...
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 nothin' on you...
Don't forget that when you go to
Heaven you'll be blessed..
Yes, it's all for the best...
JUDAS
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...
JESUS
When you feel sad, or under a curse
Your life is bad, your prospects are worse
Your wife is crying, sighing...
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 nothin' on you...
Don't forget that when you go to Heaven you'll be
blessed...
You guessed! It's all for the
JUDAS
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
BOTH
You must never be distressed
Yes, it's all for the....
All your wrongs will be redressed
Yes, it's all for the....
Someone's got to be oppressed!
CHORUS
Yes, it's all for the best!!!
ALL GOOD GIFTS
DA VINCI
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 us 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
Then thank the Lord, thank the Lord for all his love...
CHORUS
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
All good gifts around us
Are sent from Heaven above..
Then thank the Lord, thank the Lord for all his love..
I really wanna thank you Lord!
All good gifts around us
Are sent from Heaven above..
Then thank the Lord, oh thank the Lord for all his love..
LIGHT OF THE WORLD
BUCKMINSTER FULLER AND CHORUS
You are the light of the world!
You are the light of the world!
But if that light is under a bushel,
Brrr, it's lost something kind of crucial
You 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 its flavor
It ain't got much in its favor
You can't have that fault and be the salt of the earth!
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
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
TURN BACK O MAN
GIBBON
Turn back, O man
Forswear thy foolish ways
Old now is earth
And none may count her days
Yet thou, her child
Whose head is crowned with flames
Still will not hear
Thine inner God proclaims
Turn back, O man (is your seat comfortable sir?)
Turn back, O man (mmm, I like that)
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)
Earth might be fair
And all men glad and wise
Age after age their tragic empires rise
Built while they dream
And in that dreaming weep
Would man but wake
From out his haunted sleep
Turn back, O man...(i'll say it again)
Turn back, O man... (can you see from where you're sittin'?)
Turn back, O man... (hiya big boy)
Forswear thy foolish ways
JESUS
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
Peels forth in joy
Man's old undaunted cry
Earth shall be fair
And all her people one
GIBBON
C'mere Jesus, I got something to show ya!
CHORUS
Turn back, oh man
Forswear thy foolish ways!
Old now is earth
And none may count her days
Yet thou, her child
Whose head is crowned with flames
Still will not hear
Thine inner God proclaims
Turn back, oh man
Turn back, oh man
Turn back, oh man
Forswear thy foolish ways!
GIBBON
Play it honey!
ALAS FOR YOU
JESUS
Alas alas for you
Lawyers and pharisees
Hypocrits 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
Hypocrits that you are
Sure that the kingdom of Heaven awaits you
You will not venture half so far
Other men who 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, I send you preachers
Sages and rages and ages of teachers
Nothing can bar your mood
Alas, alas for you
Lawyers and pharisees
Hypocrits to a man
Sons of the dogs who murdered the prophets
Finishing off what your fathers began
You don't have time to scorn and to scoff
It's getting very late!
Vengence doesn't wait!
You snakes, you viper's brood
You cannot escape being Devil's food!
I send you prophets, I send you preachers
Sages and rages and ages of teachers
Nothing can bar your mood
Blind guides, blind fools
The blood you spilt
On you will fall!
This nation, this generation
Will bear the guilt of it all!
Alas, alas alas for you! Blind fools!!
BY MY SIDE
JEAN PAUL SARTRE
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
SOCRATES AND JEAN PAUL SARTRE
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
CHORUS
I can walk!
SOCRATES AND JEAN PAUL SARTRE
I shall call the pebble Dare
I shall call the pebble Dare
We will walk, we will talk together
We will talk
CHORUS
About walking Dare shall be carried
CHORUS
And when we both have had enough
I will take him from my shoe, singing
CHORUS
"Meet your new road!"
SOCRATES AND JEAN PAUL SARTRE
Then I'll take your hand
Finally glad
CHORUS
Finally glad
SOCRATES AND JEAN PAUL SARTRE
That I am here
By your side ( By my side)
SOCRATES AND JEAN PAUL SARTRE AND CHORUS
By your side (by my side)
By your side (by my side)
By your side (by my side)
By your side (by my side)
JUDAS (Matt. 26:14-16)
(spoken) 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. And from that moment, he began to look out for an opportunity To
betray Him.
WE BESEECH THEE
THOMAS AQUINAS
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 repentence 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
THOMAS AQUINAS AND CHORUS
We beseech thee, hear us!
CHORUS
Sick!
THOMAS AQUINAS
We come come to thee for cure
CHORUS
Guilty!
THOMAS AQUINAS
We seek thy mercy sure
CHORUS
Evil!
THOMAS AQUINAS
We long to be made pure
ALL
We beseech thee, hear us!
CHORUS
Blind!
THOMAS AQUINAS
We pray that we may see
CHORUS
Bound!
THOMAS AQUINAS
We pray to be made free
CHORUS
Stained!
THOMAS AQUINAS
We pray for sanctity
ALL
We beseech thee, hear us!
THOMAS AQUINAS
Come sing about
Love!
CHORUS
Love!
THOMAS AQUINAS
That made us first to be
Come sing about Love!
CHORUS
Love!
THOMAS AQUINAS
That made the stone and tree
Come sing about Love!
ALL
Love! Love! Love!
That draws us lovingly
We beseech thee, hear us!
CHORUS
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!
CHORUS
Love!
THOMAS AQUINAS
That made us first to be
Come sing about Love!
CHORUS
Love!
THOMAS AQUINAS
That made the stone and tree
Come sing about Love!
ALL
Love! Love! Love! Love!
That draws us lovingly
We beseech thee, hear us!
ON THE WILLOWS (MATTHEW 26:20-30)
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 Sion
Sing us one
Of the songs of Sion
But how can we sing?
Sing the Lord's songs?
In a foreign land?
On the willows, there
We hung up our lives...
FINALE
JESUS
Oh God, I'm bleeding
Oh God, I'm bleeding
CHORUS
Oh God, you're bleeding
JESUS
Oh God, I'm dying
CHORUS
Oh God, you're dying
JESUS
Oh God, I'm dying
JESUS
Oh God, I'm dead
CHORUS
Oh God, you're dead
Oh God, you're dead
Oh God, you're dead
Long live God, long live God (Repeat 6 times)
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord (Long live God, long live God) (Repeat many times)
DAY BY DAY (REPRISE)
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!) (Repeat many times)