Act I
Queenie Was a Blonde
Out of the Blue
What a Party
Raise the Roof
Look at Me Now
Poor Child
An Old-Fashioned Love Story
By Now the Room Was Moving
The Juggernaut
A Wild, Wild Party
Two of a Kind
Maybe I Like It This Way
What Is It About Her?
Act II
Queenie Was a Blonde
QUEENIE
Queenie was a blonde and her age stood still.
And she danced twice a day in vaudeville.
Queenie was a blonde, and if looks could kill,
She would kill twice a day in vaudeville.
She had grey eyes,
Lips like coals aglow.
And her face was a tinted mask of snow.
With those shoulders,
What a back she had.
Her legs were built to drive men mad.
And she did.
She would skid.
MEN
She had grey eyes,
Lips like coals aglow.
And her face was a tinted mask of snow.
QUEENIE
With those shoulders,
What a back she had.
Her legs were built to drive men:
MEN
Her legs were built:
Her legs were built to drive men -
QUEENIE
Mad.
But how was she ever to love them?
There were far too many of them.
MEN
She never got tired of the men she desired.
She never inquired of the men she desired.
QUEENIE AND MEN
She never got tired
Of the men she desired.
One is simple : She never inquired of the men she desired.
Two is good : She never got tired of the men she desired.
Three is better : She never inquired of the men she desired.
MEN
Four?
QUEENIE
Now you're knocking on wood
Well, I adore men
So bring me more men.
MEN
She never inquired
Of the men she desired
Of their status or their wealth,
They were all in perfect health.
QUEENIE AND MEN
True : Queenie was a blonde
So true : And her age stood still.
And Queenie knew : True, she knew
That she liked her lovers violent,
And she liked her lovers vicious,
But until she found the one man
Who could answer all her wishes
MEN
Queenie was sexually ambitious
Capricious
QUEENIE
So delicious.
BURRS
Are you ready to laugh?
Are you ready to smile?
Are you ready to sing and dance for a while?
Before too long she'd meet a man named Burrs.
A handsome devil with a life like hers
A clown
WOMEN
A clown
BURRS
Of some renown.
WOMEN
A clown of some renown.
BURRS
Well-known
MEN
Well-known
BURRS
All over town
MEN
Well-known all over town.
BURRS
He could make 'em laugh
ALL
Ha!
BURRS
Bend their ribs in half
ALL
Ho! Ho!
BURRS
He was master of his work
He could give 'em Hell
Just one sentimental smirk
And the house might yell:
ENSEMBLE
Uproarious!
Glorious!
Burrs!
Burrs!
Burrs!
BURRS
Oh, yes,
They shouted out his name
Proclaiming he was grand
GIRLS
Burrsie, Burrsie
BURRS
And, yes, he played the girlie game
But behind the scenes:
He was mean and rough
GIRLS
He was mean and rough
He was made of vile and violent stuff.
BURRS
They liked him tough.
GIRLS
Get in his way
And he would run you down
BURRS
He was a very scary clown!
He didn't want to be bad. He was bored. He was sore. He was dying for more.
ENSEMBLE
Queenie
BURRS
Where was she?
ENSEMBLE
Queenie
BURRS
That special girl who could take him over the top?
One day he'd find her:
ENSEMBLE
Until she found the one man
BURRS
One day, you bet
ENSEMBLE
Who could answer all her wishes
BURRS
One day she'd just appear
BURRS AND ENSEMBLE
One day
QUEENIE
Then one day they met
BURRS
And fireworks flew.
QUEENIE
Her passion ignited
She was smitten.
BURRS
His colors shone through
He'd met his match.
QUEENIE, BURRS AND ENSEMBLE
They knew what to do
QUEENIE AND BURRS
I found you
ENSEMBLE
They said.
QUEENIE AND BURRS
Now Queenie and Burrs were well-fed.
ENSEMBLE
For the one thing that they had in common
The one thing that they had in common
Was the fact they were so good in bed!
So, now you know
A fascinating woman
A fascinating lover
A fascinating couple
As
They
Go!
Out of the Blue
QUEENIE
Some girls have diamonds to wear
Feelings to share
Something to care about
Some girls have cash in the bank
Children to spank
Lovers who crank it out
But I'm the girl who's caught
Just staring into space
I thought I liked this man
And liked this place
But I've been feeling like
I need a change of pace.
Out of the blue
Out of the blue
I wish a bolt of lighting would hit
Out of the blue
Out of the blue
A magic lamp that's suddenly lit
How many years have passed me by?
Wishing, waiting
How many hopes have left me dry?
Just downright irritating
How many men have I been through?
That rotten bottom-feeding zoo
They keep repeating, leading me to:
Out of the blue
Out of the blue
Your choices now are growing few
Today is what you make and how you make it
The step is yours to take
But can you take it out of the blue?
I could walk away
But he'd hunt me down.
I could sit and stay
But I'd start to drown
I used to be excited
We used to be so wild
He was my perfect lover
I was his passion child
But it's all different
All our differences unreconciled
I'll push us to renew it
But tell me, what would do it?
Something grand.
Something humiliating,
Something public?
Burrsie?
I think we're due for a party,
Don't you?
Don't you?
QUEENIE AND BURRS
I do
I think we're due for a party : I do. I do.
Don't you? : My God,
Don't you? : You're right.
Party, party, party, party : Party, party, party, party
QUEENIE
Let's invite Jackie
BURRS
And Madelaine True
QUEENIE
Oscar and Phil
BURRS
You know, Sam should come too
QUEENIE
Eddie and Mae
BURRS
Maybe somebody new.
QUEENIE
Go and get ready
There's so much to do
Burrsie, my baby,
We'll do it for you
And make it like something
That's out of the blue
Out of the blue
Out of the blue
We'll see whose bark is worse than their bite.
Out of the blue
Out of the blue
It's time to fly or time to fight
Or more to settle for a cheap attraction
Let's even up the score and leap to action
Out of the blue
Tonight!
What a Party
OFFSTAGE VOICES
And the gang took wing,
And the shadows leapt,
Any fool could see -
What a party.
ENSEMBLE
And the gang took wing,
And the shadows leapt,
Any fool could see -
What a party.
While the candles glared
And the neighbors wept
Any swell could be
At a party.
Lightly,
Quickly,
Slightly sickly
Pasty,
Tasty,
Like birds of prey
'Round the hors d'oeuvre tray.
When the laughter starts
And the game begins
You can guarantee
That's how to blow
That's how to grow
That how to throw a party!
(The guests enter, one by one.)
BURRS
Madelaine True -
MADELAINE
Lesbian.
BURRS
Eddie -
EDDIE
Pugilist.
ALL
Crazy,
Crowded,
Smartly shrouded.
Drinking,
Stinking,
Till by and by
They began to fly.
BURRS AND ENSEMBLE
Jackie -
Sweet dancer.
The brothers d'Armano
OSCAR
Pianists.
PHIL
Composers.
BURRS AND ENSEMBLE
Dolores.
DOLORES
A hooker.
BURRS AND ENSEMBLE
Mae.
MAE
A looker.
BURRS AND ENSEMBLE
Nadine.
MADELAINE
A minor.
BURRS AND ENSEMBLE
Oooh:
And the gang took wing,
And the clock ticked on
Any fool could see,
What a party.
For the mood could swing
When the blues got gone
While the booze was free
At a party.
Panting,
Prying,
Loudly lying,
Raving,
Craving
Like birds of prey
'Round the hors d'oeuvre tray -
(Queenie appears, dressed all in white.)
BURRS
But tonight,
Queenie surpassed them all,
And tonight,
Queenie stood firm and tall.
ENSEMBLE
With a face of ivory,
And gold for hair.
BURRS
She was something
To kneel before in prayer.
My God,
Queenie,
You're looking swell.
ENSEMBLE
Quoth Queenie:
Raise the Roof
QUEENIE
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
ENSEMBLE
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
QUEENIE
Ya ya!
ENSEMBLE
Ya ya!
QUEENIE
Brrrrrrrrrrr! Ooh!
Lock the door and stop complaining
Gather 'round and listen well
From now on we're entertaining
How to hotten up this hell.
Hold your mood and hold your bladder
Skip the food and stop the chatter
Can't you hear the pitter-patter?
We're not here to eat.
We came for the heat!
Let's raise the roof
Let's make a scene
Let's hope the gods of love
Will shine above
And show the way.
Let's call the shots
Let's roll the dice
Take my advice
It always pays to
Raise the roof!
Crush the ice and shake forever
Tell the evening where to go
If you need a new endeavor
I can teach you what I know
Grab your partner by the collar
Bribe the barman with a dollar
Just ignite a mighty holler
Lead me to the trough
Till the clock goes off!
QUEENIE AND ENSEMBLE
Let's raise the roof
Let's raise the roof
Let's make a scene
Let's make a scene
Let's hop the gods of love
Will shine above : Ooohhh...
And show the way.
Let's raise the roof!
Let's call the shots
Let's call the shots
Let's roll the dice
Let's roll the dice
QUEENIE
Take my advice
It always pays to
Raise the roof!
Let the neighbors scream and shout
Who cares if they do?
If they can't see the light
We'll keep them up all night
ENSEMBLE
All right!
All right!
QUEENIE
Sooooo
Cut the strings and set the table
Gather roses on your way
Welcome to our Tower of Babel
Learn the language, come what may.
Spare me how the wind is blowing
When you keep the whiskey flowing
You can reap what you've been sowing
If you walk the plank
You've got me to thank
QUEENIE AND ENSEMBLE
Let's raise the roof : Let's raise the roof
Let's make a scene : Let's make a scene
Let's hop the gods of love : Ooohhh...
Will shine above
And show the way : Let's raise the roof!
Let's call the shots : Let's call the shots
Let's roll the dice : Let's roll the dice
QUEENIE
The time for playing nice is done
Before the big hand hits the one
We've got to do what must be done
So put away that smoking gun
QUEENIE AND ENSEMBLE
And raise the roof!
Time to have some fun! : Go raise the roof!
Time to beat the sun! : Let's raise the roof!
QUEENIE
Raise the roof.
Look At Me Now
KATE
Prohibition!
They can shove it.
Revolution!
Rise above it.
My solution:
Time to covet
Love it before it's too late.
MAX
Who's that?
ENSEMBLE
That's Kate!
KATE
I was born in a ditch in West Virginia
Ran away from home at ten
Crawled right out of that ditch
And holy cow
Just take a look at me now
I've been learning a trade
I've slung the hash
For more than just a couple men
I've been pillowed and paid
For "Wah-Wah-Wow"
But won't you look at me now!
Look at me now
Taking a bow
I've been to Hell and back
Look at me now
Happy and how
I met a swell named Mr. Black.
BLACK
Sorry, Kate, I had to pay for the hack.
KATE
Welcome back.
BLACK
Are you all right?
KATE
Me? Give me a bottle of bourbon and half a chicken and I'll conquer the world!
I got life in me yet
So let me tell you
The south is gonna rise again
When you start in a ditch
You quickly learn to plow
So, darling, darling, darlings,
Take a damn good look -
Look at me now!
Poor Child
BLACK
Poor child,
Poor child,
Beautiful and bruised.
Poor child,
Pure child,
Virginal and used.
Her hair,
Her smile,
Her eyes,
So tender
Her heart,
Her soul,
Her life,
So broken.
How much more must she endure?
Poor child,
Poor child,
Sensitive and hard.
One more girl forever scarred.
QUEENIE
Pause for a moment,
Then throw him a glance
Look askance at Burrs
And smile.
Show him how it is,
Maybe then he'll get his.
Just pause for a moment
Then offer a stare
Let him watch you
Walk on air
Share a very quiet rendezvous
Gently pull him to you
His face,
His arms,
His chest,
Try to be way and wise
His hands,
His hips,
His legs,
Try to get lost in his eyes
Those heavenly eyes.
Pause for a moment
Then say your hello.
Watch as Burrs begins to blow.
Burrs getting angry
Burrs getting rougher
Tonight I can make him suffer.
Show him how it is,
Maybe then he'll get his.
BLACK
Poor child.
Prisoner of shame.
Poor child.
Pure child.
Searching for a name.
Her hair,
Her smile,
Her eyes,
So tender.
Her heart,
Her soul,
Her life,
So broken.
How much more
Must she endure?
Poor child.
Poor child.
Generous and tight.
One more girl lost in the night.
KATE
He's a dime-store fraud
She's a second-hand broad!
And when the trap is set
I'll be there for my Burrs
He thinks he's hers
But he's in for some news
Light the fuse
And place the bet.
Well, I wasn't born yesterday
Hell, I wasn't born yesterday
In an hour or two
Things will start to unglue
And Burrs will be waiting
Then happily I'll go
And bring him to me
And bring him to me
Well, we'll see, won't we?
She better watch her step with Burrs,
or she'll get hers.
BURRS
What does she think she's doing, doing?
What does she think I am?
Who does he think he's wooing, wooing?
Someone who gives a damn?
She's a sham!
She may be pretty and bat her eyes,
But soon he'll get wise.
Flirt!
She's a flirt.
And it's she who'll get hurt.
Oh!
She's a phony,
She's a sham.
A stony-eyes lamb.
And she better watch her step with Burrs,
Or she'll get hers.
BLACK
Poor child!
Pure child!
Dangerous, divine.
She's a beautiful,
Virginal,
Sensitive,
Generous,
Poor child!
Predictable bore
BURRS
Dangerous whore
QUEENIE
I'll settle the score
BURRS, KATE, QUEENIE
I'll take what's mine!
BLACK
And I'll make her mine!
QUEENIE
Black!
An Old-Fashioned Love Story
MADELAINE
At the bar there's a girl in the shadow
Sitting still like a nun unknown.
Though an attic full of strangers
May hold many hidden dangers
There's a quality I like -
She's alone.
So I pause
And I wink
And I shudder
Just to bring her attention in line
While her pastures may be greener
I can tell by her demeanor
She's mine!
(The girl falls off her chair, dead drunk.)
That's fine:
I need a good-natured, old-fashioned
Lesbian love story
The kind of tale my mama used to tell.
Where the girls were so sweet
And the music would swell
And in the end the queen would send the men off to hell.
What is that mild-mannered, old-fashioned
Lesbian love story
Where people knew exactly who they were?
I want the story of yore
That they don't sing anymore
To an old-fashioned dyke like her.
See that girl on the bed, how she wants me.
She's a bee I could free from the hive.
I would never dare deceive her
She's a very clever beaver
With a quality I like -
She's alive.
So I pause
And I twitch
In the silence
While I pray that she'll play out this hand.
But I feel my intuition
Saying "Notice her position" -
Start the band!
(The girl is embraced by a man.)
She's clearly manned.
I planned a well-rendered, one-gendered
Lesbian love story
With good old-fashioned sex in every line
Where girls with tattoos would whimper and whine
"While on all fours, you show me yours
And I'll show you mine."
I miss that soft-hearted, old-fashioned
Lesbian love story
Where women wrestle bears and passersby.
The kind of story so good
That they won't tell in my 'hood
To an old-fashioned dyke like -
I'm gorgeous
I'm single
I'm bustin' with laughs
So why
Can't I
Be just in two short paragraphs of a
You betcha, damn funny
Lesbian love story
The kind of yarn that turns a girl to mush.
Choose from hundreds of blondes
But when shove comes push
I understand a bird in hand's worth two in the bush.
Sweet Jesus!
Let's hear that old-fashioned
Lesbian love story
Where girls are girls
And boys stay out to sea.
I'll write a new one and then
I'll make them tell it again
To an old-fashioned dyke
Like me!
By Now the Room Was Moving
PHIL AND OSCAR
By now the room was moving
MAE
And Queenie set to pounce
ENSEMBLE
The gang at last
Was grooving fast
OSCAR
Progressing ounce by ounce.
BURRS
She knew that Burrs could harm her
EDDIE
But she was feelin' strange
ENSEMBLE
So through the wine
She drew the line and said
QUEENIE
Time to make a change
ENSEMBLE
Queenie
Kate
Burrs
Black
The night was moving forward
Not back
Not back
MAX
Then with no inhibition
SAM
Went Kate to conquer all
KATE
She fought to win
ENSEMBLE
She zeroed in
KATE
To see who'd bag the ball.
ENSEMBLE
And Black took his position
To swiftly take the floor
BLACK
They'd start the dance
He'd get his chance
In just one minute more
ENSEMBLE
Queenie
Burrs
Black
Kate
And what was the order of business?
Some love
Some hate
They formed the figuration
They poured it down the hatch
And one wrong turn
The whole place would burn
BURRS
But who would strike the match?
QUEENIE
Who would strike the match?
QUEENIE, BURRS, BLACK AND KATE
Who's it gonna be?
Who's it gonna be?
Who's it gonna be?
ALL
Who's it gonna be?
QUEENIE
(approaching Black, seductively)
I don't know you, we've hardly spoken but
I was wondering -
Are you available?
While you're waiting for Kate to hurry back
I was hoping that Maybe we'd dance a while.
BLACK
I'm available and I'd love to dance
Won't you offer your hand to me, Queenie?
Let's dance.
(They dance.)
KATE
Won't you tell me, Burrs
After seven years
Why we've never been into the sack before?
BURRS
Kate, don't bother me
KATE
I've just asking why:
BURRS
When we met you were less than a dirty whore.
KATE
Yes, but that was before I got smart
Now my whoring has turned into art.
BURRS
Maybe true, but I'll be the judge of that.
KATE
Let's forget it and tear up the carpet mat.
(They dance. Burrs leaves her to break up Queenie and Black. Kate pushes ahead of him.)
KATE
(to Black)
Do you think I could have this dance?
Queenie, darling, we've hardly talked
Black, why don't you go get a drink?
(aside to Black)
Wink, wink, I know what you're thinking.
We girls need just a quiet pause
Burrs, I'll join you in just a mo',
Look, they're starting to juggernaut
Let's join in
Let's go go!
The Juggernaut
ALL
Will you do The Juggernaut?
Can you do The Juggernaut?
Put your foot in to the ring
And just start swinging.
Man and woman Juggernaut
Everybody Juggernaut
Lend an arm and bend a knee
And jug with me.
One foot
One hand
One step
One turn
One touch
One hip
That's all you have to do.
One foot
One hand
One step
One turn
One touch
One hip
And you can do it, too.
Oh, oh, oh
One foot
One hand
One step
One turn
One touch
One hip
That's all you have to do.
One foot
One hand
One step
One turn
One touch
One hip
And you can do it, too.
Do the Juggernaut
Do the Juggernaut
Do The Juggernaut!
A Wild, Wild Party
QUEENIE
God has said:
MAX
"Don't eat that apple, child,
It's bad, forbidden fruit.
OSCAR AND PHIL
Bad, forbidden fruit.
MAX
That's right.
QUEENIE
God has said:
MAX
"Don't break my laws
Or give me cause
To use my boot."
OSCAR AND PHIL
Don't go that route.
MAX
That's what I said.
QUEENIE
I misunderstood him
Or maybe I forgot
Cause after just one bite:
Ooh!
What a night.
Cool Paradise turned hot!
We were having a wild, wild party
We were loving it loud and fast
We were having a wild, wild party
And hoping the beer would last.
Adam, help me now!
QUEENIE AND BURRS
We were driving it fast and funky
We were dancing and running free
We were having a wild, wild party
QUEENIE
And all because of that tree!
EDDIE
A wild, wild, wild party.
OSCAR
Chapter next!
PHIL
Sodom and Gomorrah
That seedy, greedy den
Got said to Abraham:
MAX
"Go find me righteous men!"
OSCAR
Abie went
To find one gent
PHIL
And he could guess
Those folks were less than glad he was sent.
OSCAR
For when the Boss came down
OSCAR AND PHIL
They were burning up the town.
OSCAR, PHIL AND SODOMITES
They were having a wild, wild party Indeed!
They were loving it loud and fast Such speed!
They were having a wild, wild party
And hoping the beer would last.
OSCAR
Hey, what's on tap?
OSCAR, PHIL AND SODOMITES
They were driving it fast and funky : (Wa ooh!)
They were doin' it to a fault : (So true!)
They were having a wild, wild party
MAX
Until that woman turned to salt!
QUEENIE, OSCAR AND PHIL
Heaven watched us tearing up the joint
Heaven, ever slowly, got the point
QUEENIE
Moses, coming down from the mount
What's that I hear you say?
PHIL
Holy, Moses, down from the mount
Been workin' a-forty day.
QUEENIE, OSCAR AND PHIL
Your people wandered from the Word
Now how did this begin?
BURRS
I was so in shock
They made me drop my rock
ISRAELITES
Well, Moe - what was their sin?
BURRS AND ISRAELITES
They were having a wild, wild party : (Baruch hata - )
They were dancing and living free : (Baruch atah - )
They were having a wild, wild party
BURRS
And not a soul invited me.
QUEENIE, OSCAR AND PHIL
So don't you see
That's the way it was meant to be
BURRS
From chapter one
QUEENIE
To one hundred thirty-three.
QUEENIE, BURRS, OSCAR AND PHIL
If in Heaven you don't excel
You can always party down in Hell!
OSCAR AND PHIL
Then finally -
ALL
We'll be having a wild, wild party
We'll be loving it loud and fast
We'll be having a wild, wild party
And hoping the beer would last.
We'll be having a wild, wild party
We'll be loving it loud and fast
We'll be having a wild, wild party
And hoping the beer would last.
We'll be driving it fast and funky
We'll be dancing in primordial stew
Such a wonderful wild, wild party
And we're inviting you!
QUEENIE, BURRS, OSCAR AND PHIL
And we're inviting you!
Two of a Kind
EDDIE
It's hard to describe my feelings
But I'll try.
MAE
He's gonna try.
EDDIE
It's hard to express my :wonder!
MAE
He's wondering: "Why?"
EDDIE
She's really so wonderful, so -
MAE
Short?
EDDIE
No - petite.
Yet so complete.
MAE
Now ain't he sweet?
EDDIE
We're two of a kind
A perfect pair
A knockout in the ring
MAE
We're two of a kind
Why should we care
If we don't own a thing?
EDDIE
She's a one-two punch
MAE
He's a catered lunch
EDDIE
She's a melon on the rind
MAE
He's one of the good guys
BOTH
And we're two of a kind
MAE
Show 'em your muscles
EDDIE
Nah.
MAE
Show 'em your muscles!
EDDIE
Huh!
MAE
Oooh!
It's hard to express how happy
I feel inside
EDDIE
She feels inside!
MAE
But he'll be my sugar pappy -
Sweetheart?
EDDIE
My buttered bride!
MAE
He's really so wonderful, so --
EDDIE
Brute?
MAE
No - astute.
He makes me toot.
EDDIE
If that ain't cute:
BOTH
We're two of a kind
A perfect match
A couple through and through
We're two of a kind
EDDIE
The catcher
MAE
The catch
BOTH
A fairy tale come true.
MAE
He's a motor car
EDDIE
She's an oyster bar
MAE
Just the way that God designed
EDDIE
She's two feet below me
MAE
But we're two of a kind
BOTH
Why look for substitutions
You'll never find?
We're happy together
Being just two of a kind
EDDIE
One -
MAE
Two -
BOTH
I love you!
Maybe I Like It This Way
QUEENIE
I know it's wrong
I know he's rough
I don't know what to do
But we've been through enough
I know it's time
And yet I play
Maybe I like it this way.
I see his pain
I hear his cry
He pulls me to the edge
But I don't ask him why
I understand
And I obey
Maybe I like it this way.
I like the way he laughs
His strange and silent stare
I like the way he moves
The way he's always there
The way he calls my name
The way he takes control
I like the way this man has stirred my soul:
When I first met Burrs, he was grand. You understand? But I was scared and awfully lonely. Hungry. And hopeful. How could I know?
Maybe tomorrow it comes crashing down
Maybe next week I'll find another clown
Maybe I'll try to go a different way
But look who's sitting here today.
If I could change
If I could grow
I'd ask for nothing more
And through that door I'd go
But if I'm through
Why do I stay?
Maybe he wants me
Maybe he needs me
Maybe he loves me
Maybe I like it this way.
What Is It About Her?
BURRS
What is it about her
That makes me want her?
What is it about her
That turns me pale?
Something in her smile
Something that I'll never understand
Her wild abandon.
BURRS
What is it about her
QUEENIE
I know it's wrong
BURRS
That parts the waters?
QUEENIE
I know he's rough
BURRS
What is it about her
That hoists the sail?
QUEENIE
I don't know what to do
But we've been through enough
BURRS
Something in her hair
Instructing where to touch
Why do I need her so much?
This woman makes me cry
This woman makes me burn
This woman's eye can cut me to the core
The hatred that I see
Has been reserved for me
Yet I want more
And more
And more
And what is it about her
QUEENIE
Oooh...
BURRS
That pulls me closer?
QUEENIE
That way he's always there
BURRS
What is it about her
That tips the scale?
QUEENIE
His strange and silent stare.
BURRS
This girl is all I have
So soft so fair, so fine
And she's forever mine.
This woman builds me up
This woman tears me down
This woman speaks and I can break apart
Now comes another man
Pretending he can win her heart
Well, let him start.
What is it about her
So slight, so secret?
Something in the way she catches light
QUEENIE
Who's wrong?
Who's right?
I've never known.
BURRS
Should I hold my own
QUEENIE
Now -
BURRS
Or be alone -
QUEENIE
We fall
BURRS
Tonight?
QUEENIE
We fight.
BURRS
What is it about her
QUEENIE
What is it about him?
BURRS
That jumbles feelings inside?
QUEENIE
So coarse, so queer
BURRS
What is it about her
QUEENIE
What is it about him...
BURRS
That mixes passion with pride?
QUEENIE
That holds me here?
BURRS
Could I live without her
And let her go?
How loud must I scream
No!
The Life of the Party
KATE
Who needs money?
Not me.
Who needs fortune or fame?
I don't need a new career
A sympathetic ear
A name.
All I need is time to play
Only want the game
Point me to the mike
I know what I like.
Don't you wanna be
The life of the party?
Don't you wanna be
The cream of the crop?
Don't you wanna feel those shivering fits
'Til someone calls it quits
Or someone calls a cop?
Don't you wanna land
The role of a lifetime?
Well, you better get down on one knee
'Cause you could play the life of the part
If you can pray with me.
Who needs lovers?
Not I.
Who needs Heaven above?
Don't have time for things unsaid
For baking bread
For love.
All I need is room to fight
Hand in fisted glove.
Point me to the sky,
It's my turn to fly.
Don't you wanna be
The life of the party?
Don't you wanna be
The top of the heap?
This is where the jamboree never ends
Why not be counting friends
Instead of counting sheep?
If you wanna join
The Heavenly Choir
Hurry up and get yourself in line.
But don't you pass the life of the party
Until you pass the wine.
Let the drinks pour
Let the crowds roar
Let the Heavens wildly cheer.
'Til the sunrise
Brings the goodbyes
I'll be here.
Never fear.
Who's it gonna be,
The life of the party?
Who's it gonna be,
The king of the hill?
Don't you wanna be there
Running the show
Until it's time to go
Or 'til it's time to kill?
Don't you ever wanna be
Somebody to envy
Don't you wanna be
Footloose and free?
Well, you could be the life of the party
If you
Were
More -
Like me!
I'll Be Here
BLACK
When you cry
I can hold you
When you fall
Shed no tear
When you lose your light
In the naked night
I'll be here
I'll be here
When you fail
I can soothe you
No more harm
No more fear
On the coldest climb
To the end of time
I'll be here
I'll be here
I'll be standing by
Trying to comfort
Hoping I am enough
I'll be flying high
Crying myself into happiness
I've never known
A life I thought I'd never own.
Maybe I've been dreaming
And this moment isn't real.
How else can I explain
This power that I feel?
You can run
I'll forgive you
I'm the one
You can call
I will need you
I will feed you
I will lead you to the clear
I'll be here
I'll be here.
Let Me Drown
BURRS
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
The moment you've all been waiting for:
With his woman on the attack
And his life now fading to black
The clown takes the center ring!
I've changed my mind
Let the evening rage ahead
By tomorrow morning we could be dead drunk
Or just dead.
If she won't talk to me I've plenty else to do
I'll talk to you
And you and you and you and
I think we're due for a
I think we're due for a
I think we're due for a
You think I'm headed for disaster
You think I'm going up in flames
You wanna break my fall
You wanna stop them all from calling me names.
You'd like to chain me down in irons
You'd like to give me your support
But when you see me stand
Martini glass in hand
The rescue you've got planned
Must be aborted.
Let me drown, this evening,
Let me drown
If I'm blue, let me truly play the clown
Let me sail
Let me sink
Let me teeter on the brink
Let me drown, drown, drown, drown, drown.
You'd like to see me at confession
You hope I learn from my mistakes
You wanna save my soul
But when I'm on a roll,
Lay off of the brakes
You think that when I meet my maker
(Hello, Maker!)
That cat'll be all dressed in red
But every morn I pray
That on that lucky day
I'll hear that devil say
"Son, pour it steady!"
BURRS, KATE AND ENSEMBLE
And let me drown, this evening,
Let me drown : (Whoa, let me drown!)
If I'm low, let slowly paint the town : (Go, grab a dollah and follah me!)
When they ask for the roof
Let me answer "Hundred Proof!"
Let me drown, drown, drown, drown, drown : (Drown, drown, drown, drown, drown)
BURRS
Let me drown in females foreign
Let me dangle from a limb (Ooooh...)
Teach me how to put my oar in
But don't you dare to teach me
How to swim!
KATE AND ENSEMBLE
Let me drown, this evening, let me drown : (Let me drown!)
If you smile
For a while
I'll wear the frown : (Go slap that happy face)
BURRS AND ENSEMBLE
Let me go
Set me free : (I wanna run now)
Let me at that S.O.B.
KATE
No!
BURRS AND ENSEMBLE
Let me drown, drown, drown, drown, drown
Let me drown, till daybreak,
Let me drown : (Let me drown!)
I'm the guy : (Guy!)
Who will buy
Her wedding gown : (Here comes the bride.)
Till the dawn
Breaks the spell
All the world
Can got to hell
KATE AND WOMEN
Now, where is my bible?
Strap me in
Let me ride
Till I'm on the other side : (Take me to the other side)
Let me rock
Let me roll : (Let me roll)
BURRS
Let me sacrifice my soul
BURRS, KATE AND ENSEMBLE
Let me drown,
Let me drown!
(Queenie and Black find a quiet corner.)
Tell Me Something
QUEENIE
I know nothing about you
Where you live
Where you're from
What you do
Where you go.
Tell me something about you
Why you're here
What you want
Who you know
Who are you?
BLACK
I live uptown
I live alone
I came from Chicago two months ago.
I work at a club
Hold the door
Nothing more
Then I met Kate
And I met you
And what I wanted when I entered
Shouldn't be a big surprise
I wanted change
I wanted something to excite me
Wanted change
I wanted someone who would need me
Wanted softness and seduction
Passion and attention
Someone to believe in.
Then I looked into your eyes
Your heavenly eyes
And I knew
Wishes can come true
Now I believe in you.
QUEENIE
Out of the blue
Out of the blue
You came and saved me
When I was running blind
I was a fool
I was afraid
And when I met you
I had other plans in mind.
But now, I hear it
Now I feel it
I feel it flowing inside me
Something growing inside me
Pushing me to it
Tell me
QUEENIE AND ALL
"Do it!"
QUEENIE
Can this be what I've waited for?
Can this be what I've heard?
Something stirring is being said
But without a single word.
This is what I was born to do
So there's nothing to fear
Touch me now.
Touch me here!
(The love-making begins; this time as a real expression of love. Queenie and Black move toward the bed. The rest of the gang proceed to couple all over the apartment.)
Come With Me
BLACK
Like a tiger in a cage
I'm prowling
Like an actor on a stage
I'm howling
Wishing
Wanting
Waiting for the drum
Set me free
ENSEMBLE
Come with me.
QUEENIE
Like an eagle in the sky
I'm screaming
Like an angel passing by
I'm dreaming
Holy
Hungry
Hoping for a crumb
Set me free
ENSEMBLE
Come with me.
BLACK
I'll be waiting forever for you
ENSEMBLE
Come with me.
BLACK
Celebrating the magic of two
ENSEMBLE
Come with me.
BLACK
Only do what the animals do
And all will be righted
Our passion ignited
Tonight.
ENSEMBLE
Come with me.
BLACK AND ENSEMBLE
Like a preacher at the book : Don't you want to be the life of the party?
I'm chanting : Come with, come with
Like a farmer and his hook : Come with,
I'm planting : Come with me
ALL
Spread the seed
Sowing And feed
The hunger
Growing
Knowing you can hum : Hum...
Set me free : Don't you wanna be Footloose and free?
BLACK AND ENSEMBLE
Come with me.
QUEENIE AND ENSEMBLE
Like a member of the pack
I ramble
Like a member of the pack
I ramble
Like a ledger in the black
I gamble
Like a ledger in the black
I gamble
Add the columns : Roll the dice,
Calculate the sum : Then throw the rice
Set me free : And rhumba to the sea
ENSEMBLE
Come with me.
BLACK
Always knew that
This day would arrive
ENSEMBLE
Come with me.
QUEENIE
Good for me
That you made it alive
ENSEMBLE
Come with me.
BLACK
Just remember,
The fittest survive
ALL
And all will be righted
Our passion ignited
Tonight
ENSEMBLE Come with me.
BLACK
I can lead but
I can't make you drink
ENSEMBLE
Come with me.
QUEENIE
I'll concede
You've got more than I think
ENSEMBLE
Come with me.
BLACK
And the mood may be gone in a wink
So let's get this started
Before I've departed
Don't want to leave empty -
Or worse, broken-hearted
I know you're the one
And before the night's done
We'll be free
Come with me.
BLACK, QUEENIE AND ENSEMBLE
Come with me!
Come with me!
Come with me!
Jackie's Last Dance
(Everyone has settled down and the room is quiet as most people sleep. Jackie is practicing a few dance steps while the Victrola plays. No one is the room notices him.)
Make Me Happy
BURRS
(holding a gun)
Now let's see
(pointing at Queenie)
We've got one -
(pointing at Black)
We've got two - We've got -
(pointing at himself)
Ooh - three
One too many for me.
Who's it gonna be?
(to Black)
Take one step
Go on, make one move
Show your love
You've got a chance to prove it
Knock me out
Come on, jump right in
Brother, lose or win
You're gonna make me happy.
(to Queenie)
Break my heart
Go on, tell me lies
Big surprise
Look how you emphasize it
Call my bluff
Come on, make me choose
Sugar, win or lose
You're gonna make happy
In my hands your future was golden
Now it's what I hold in my palm
In my hands you made a good living
Giving me the quiet and calm
In my hands you promised forever
But I see you're dropping the ball
In my hands
You fly
Or you fall!
BLACK
Burrs, you dog
You don't know this girl
Play her game
And you gotta wake up early
Drop the gun
Come on, take it slow
Let her go
And you're gonna make me happy.
BURRS
Shut your hole
Do tell...
Don't push me,
Don't push me
Oh, right...
I'm growing weary
And that doesn't make me happy.
QUEENIE
Burrs, my sweet
What a long hot night
Let's not fight,
No need to get excited.
Here I come,
Come on, let me in.
Burrs, you win,
You're gonna
Make me happy.
BURRS
Queenie, mine
Sweet as wine
I want you, I need you
Love, love, love, love
Let me love you...
You are gonna make me happy.
BLACK
What are you doing?
Are you crazy?
Don't be stupid.
Your're here to make me happy.
BLACK, BURRS AND QUEENIE
In my hands the future is crying
Rising high or dying in vain
In my hands salvation is nearing
Steering me from permanent pain
With my hands I'm asking a question
But I know the answer too well
In my hands:
Heaven
Or Hell.
BURRS
Who's it gonna be?
Who's it gonna be?
Who's it gonna be?
Who's it gonna be?
Who's it gonna be?
(to Queenie)
He says he'll die for you
Well, now don't you wanna know?
Don't you wanna know?
Would he really die for you
Or is that just the after-dinner show?
We've got a situation
Shit or get off the pot
(to Black)
So what do you say,
You wanna give her away?
Or do you wanna get
On your knees?
Time is running out
Scream and shout
Nobody cares about you
Life is shot
Whether you're here or not
Gone to pot
May you rot
Burning hot...
(Burrs point the gun at Black.)
BLACK
You crazy fool
You think she cares about you?!
Don't do it
Don't do it
Don't do it
No, no, no, no,
No, no, no, NO!
QUEENIE
Stay calm, stay cool
Burrs, Queenie cares about you
Burrsie
Burrsie
Burrsie
Burrsie
Burrsie, Burrsie, Burrsie
QUEENIE
Burrsie!
BURRS
What?!
QUEENIE
Please make me laugh
Please make me smile
Please stop this song and dance for a while.
(Burrs cocks the gun.)
Don't make me hurt
Don't make me cry
BURRS
Don't make me cry
QUEENIE
Don't make me have to do or die.
BURRS
How many girls have let me down?
QUEENIE
Shhh,
Burrsie,
Easy -
BURRS
How many girls would love a clown?
QUEENIE
From now until forever you can be
The live of the party
BURRS
Maybe I can be
The king of the hill?
How I want to be there, running the show
Until it's time to go
Or till it's time to -
(Black, Burrs & Queenie struggle. The gun goes off. Burrs has been shot and killed.)
How Did We Come to This?
QUEENIE
We're all so sure
We're all so wise
No limits
No boundaries
No compromise.
Laughing at our neighbor
Smiling through a hiss
How did we come to this?
We're all amused
We're all inspired
So cunning
So clever
And so admired
Easy to be angry
Easy to dismiss
How did we come to this?
Maybe I've been living in a daydream
Maybe I've been talking in my sleep
If I've been awake
Pardon my mistake
But time is running low
And talk is growing cheap.
We play our games
We place our bets
No witness
No weakness
And no regrets.
Filling up with frenzy
Killing with a kiss
How did we all come to this?
Time goes by
Plans grow stale
People die
And parties fail
How did we come to this?
Queenie Was a Blonde (Reprise)
ENSEMBLE
She had grey eyes,
Lips like coals aglow.
And her face was a tinted mask of snow.
A fascinating woman
As they go.
