THE Pied piper Libretto
PRELUDE – THE TOWN SQUARE It is dawn in the sleepy Australian town of Hamelin.
TOWN CRIER All is well the day is dawning Our city comes to life this morning All progress in ordered rule Children make their way to school Via an unscheduled naughty stop At Beatrice Brittle’s lolly shop Mayor and Mayoress break their fast And analyse the recent past events Of civic and of public life Our Mayor being guided by his Wife Rosemary Sprig prepares her classes Viewing the world through rosy glasses Order calm routine serene Naught disturbs this peaceful scene
RECIT – THE LOLLY SHOP Bar 54
JIMMY Come on Charlie, let’s get some lollies CHARLIE Can I have six double bungers and three Freddo frogs Please Miss Brittle? BEATRICE BRITTLE Perfect, frogs are fresh today ALICE You boys are far too greedy, just one sugar fairy please CHARLIE I’ll grab it EMILY And may I have this little chocolate rabbit?
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CHILDREN – IN THE CLASSROOM Bar 62
CHILDREN Miss Brittle’s lollies are our follies Her pretty sweets our tasty treats Something nice to eat at school Even though it breaks a rule Lollies here and lollies there Buy up quick without a care BEATRICE BRITTLE Beatrice Brittle’s sugary treats bequeath Decay to all the children’s teeth Compromising filling cap and crown Dentists make good living in this town
Bar 98
BEATRICE BRITTLE Munch and crunch, crackle and pop Come buy lots of lollies from my shop
Munch and crunch, crackle and pop, Come buy, come buy Lots of lollies form my shop
CHILDREN Miss Brittle’s lollies are our follies Her pretty sweets our tasty treats Something nice to eat at school Even though it breaks a rule Lollies here and lollies there Buy up quick without a care
ROSEMARY SPRIG Children come its lesson time CHILDREN Yes Miss Sprig, indeed Miss Sprig ROSEMARY SPRIG Quick now come don’t waste my time CHILDREN Yes Miss Sprig, indeed Miss Sprig ROSEMARY SPRIG Away with those disgusting lollies O dear, these flagrant dental follies Put those toffees in the bin, no eating in my classes Otherwise my irritation will steam up my reading glasses Fie on those who still persist in class to munch They’ll invite detention and forced abstinence from lunch Bar 149
CHILDREN Yes Miss Sprig, we will obey If you entertain us with a story every day Page 2 of 27
ROSEMARY SPRIG Morning’s not the time for fables Instead it’s time to learn your tables Now after me Twelve ones are twelve CHILDREN Twelve ones are twelve ROSEMARY SPRIG Twelve twos are twenty four CHILDREN Twelve twos are twenty four ROSEMARY SPRIG Twelve threes are thirty six CHILDREN Twelve threes are thirsty six ROSEMARY SPRIG Twelve fours are forty eight CHILDREN Twelve fours are forty eight TOWN CRIER Meanwhile in the Mayoral chamber Counting abets regrettable behaviour
RECIT and DUET – COUNCIL CHAMBERS MRS MAYOR Payments, profits, income counting MR MAYOR Dear, have no fear the total’s mounting Dear Mrs Mayor elections looming MRS MAYOR Dear have no fear the city’s booming MR MAYOR Rates and fines and other forms of tax MRS MAYOR Increase our civic coffers to the max Page 3 of 27
MR MAYOR Our personal coffers are set up to reap A secret margin which we keep MRS MAYOR Yes dear, this maze of regulation Conceals our stealthy speculation MR MAYOR Our bank accounts are looking fine What’s mine’s my own and yours is mine In Zurich far a little gnome Keeps our dirty dealings far from home MRS MAYOR We must not flout our new found wealth So cleverly acquired through our stealth MR MAYOR Indeed, indeed o devious wife Your guile has so enriched my life MRS MAYOR To outward view respectably reserved MR MAYOR Behind closed doors our own interest we serve Let’s sing a song to what we love MRS MAYOR Money fits our pockets like a glove MR MAYOR Real estate o real estate The golden key to the golden gate MRS MAYOR Path to fertile fields of cash MR MAYOR Ripe for harvest for our stash MRS MAYOR Quietly earning interest so discreetly MR MAYOR Making wondrous dividends so neatly Rezoning here
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MRS MAYOR Reclaiming there MR MAYOR Resuming here MRS MAYOR Subsuming there MR + MRS MAYOR Mutual self-interest in aspect so respectable Delightful in its increase, cash titbits so delectable O Real estate o real estate To fabulous wealth our golden gate MRS MAYOR We just can’t wait MR MAYOR We just can’t wait MRS MAYOR We just can’t wait MR MAYOR We just can’t wait MRS MAYOR Real estate MR MAYOR It’s our mate MRS MAYOR In this state MR + MRS MAYOR Golden real estate Yes!
RECIT MRS MAYOR That schoolyard’s far too big I fear MR MAYOR Rezone and subdivide my dear
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MRS MAYOR Announce it as necessity New blocks of flats well planned MR MAYOR Our treasure horde grows steadily We buy and sell good land It’s all a question of position MRS MAYOR Elected Mayor: a schoolyard’s easy acquisition MR MAYOR My decision no contrition I lead this city by example Little ones’ rights I’ll happily trample Making money is my goal Thus I relish my civic role MRS MAYOR God helps those who help themselves, indeedy It’s just fine to be a little greedy Your mayor walks tall and leads the way Enjoy the sunshine, make some hay
HOMEWARD CHORUS MR MAYOR All is well, your day is done Home you go, your bread is won Bar 276
TOWN CRIER, BEATRICE BRITTLE + CHORUS All is well, our day is done Home we go, our bread is won MR MAYOR Respond now to the sounding bell TOWN CRIER, BEATRICE BRITTLE + CHORUS In ordered living we excel MR MAYOR Return now to your houses neat Prepare some pretty things to eat
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TOWN CRIER, BEATRICE BRITTLE + CHORUS Home we go to houses neat To make some pretty things to eat Picket fences, gardens growing Lush green lawns and constant mowing MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER + BEATRICE BRITTLE Self-righteous, self-absorbed and smug Hearts closed up so comfortably smug Minds firmly shut against the darker side of life Avoiding most all aspects of the tide of human strife CHORUS Picket fences, gardens growing Lush green lawns and constant mowing
Bar 312
MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER + BEATRICE BRITTLE If we don’t like it it’s not real Too bad for you that’s how we feel CHORUS Picket fences, gardens growing Lush green lawns and constant mowing
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MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER + BEATRICE BRITTLE Our outlook’s very lean and mean Philanthropy’s just not, just not our scene BEATRICE BRITTLE
MR M, MRS M, TOWN CRIER
CHORUS Picket fences Now time for rest and sleep Now time for rest and leisure Gardens growing Time for leisure All is well our day is done Lush green lawns and All is well our day is done Self-righteous, self absorbed constant mowing All is well, all is well and smug All is well, our day is done All is well Hearts closed up so Home we go our bread is won comfortably smug Home we go our bread is won Home we go our bread is won Home to rest Home to rest now Home to rest now Home to rest Good night, so good night Good night, so good night Home to rest Good night
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NOCTURNE 1 ROSEMARY SPRIG There’s something nasty in this town It’s mean and tricky, silly and sly O wise little owl it’s getting me down Sometimes I simply want to cry That nasty Mayor, he’s after me He wants the schoolyard, he wants our trees He cannot bear to let things be He only wants to levy fees Oh little owl, please help your friend Your eyes see all, help me defend this school Our trees, and this our land here OWL (repeat as needed) Too Woo, Too Woo ROSEMARY SPRIG Good night little owl, my friendly bird I hope that my request you’ve heard
ENTRANCE OF THE RATS Bar 450
GENERAL RAT Make ready rats, attack and eat CAPTAIN RAT All rats secure yourselves a treat RATS Yes sir, yes sir, standing by We’re prepared to do or die SERGEANT RAT Brittle’s lolly shops our target Come on team we’re in the market For a great big sugary meal Come on guys, this deal is real RATS Yes sir, yes sir, standing by We’re prepared to do or die GENERAL RAT, CAPTAIN RAT, CORPORAL RAT + SERGEANT RAT Noses clean and teeth at ready Progress quietly, keen and steady
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RATS We’re so hungry we’ll engulf it Snipping, snapping, greedy guzzling Jaws at work with noses muzzling Search the bottles, empty the drawers Prised open by our greedy paws GENERAL RAT + CAPTAIN RAT Make ready rats, attack and eat SARGEANT RAT + CORPORAL RAT All rats secure yourselves a treat RATS Yes sir, yes sir, standing by We’re prepared to do or die
STRETTA – THE TOWN WAKES TOWN CRIER Rats! Rats! Bar 531
TOWN CRIER + CHORUS Rats! Rats! Rats! TOWN CRIER Dreadful rats are everywhere CHORUS Dreadful rats are everywhere TOWN CRIER + CHORUS Pillage and plunder everywhere TOWN CRIER Scuttling fearless under feet In search of sweets and bread and meat TOWN CRIER + CHORUS They spoil our carpets, bite our babies Give our little puppies rabies Rats, Rats, under our mats, Eating our hats, outwitting our cats TOWN CRIER Blowing out urban vermin stats
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TOWN CRIER + CHORUS Rats, rats Rats, rats Bar 574
RATS Search the bottles empty the drawers Prised open by our greedy paws Yes, yes, O yes, yes indeed We are ready for a feed TOWN CRIER + CHORUS Rats, rats Rats, rats
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TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE + CHORUS Help! Rats, rats! MR MAYOR Calm down good people, that’s the way We’ll live to fight another day MRS MAYOR Husband, opportunity knocks once more A very loud knock at our front door We have a new financial goal Buy lots of shares in pest control Acme’s stocks already listed I’ll invest through process twisted BEATRICE BRITTLE Eeek! These rodents vile surround and munch With cunning guile consuming fudge And boiled lollies disrupting with their fat, sleek bodies
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RATS Search the bottles empty the drawers Prised open by our greedy paws Yes, yes, O yes, yes indeed We are ready for a feed CHILDREN Miss Sprig, Miss Sprig, the rats are here Filling the school with hate and fear Invading all our cosy nooks Devouring flowers and clothes and books This horrid energetic chewing Makes fuel for dreadful smelly pooing
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RATS Yes, yes, O yes, yes indeed We are ready for a feed ROSEMARY SPRIG Help! Help! Help! Help! Rats are here
RATS Yes, yes, O yes, yes indeed We are ready for a feed
ROSEMARY SPRIG I don’t know what to do, O dear MR MAYOR I’ll keep them quiet, I’ll make a speech The usual platitudes I’ll preach MRS MAYOR Yes be quick some plan to pitch Distract them while I make us rich TOWN CRIER Council wise and Mr Mayor Bar 717
CHORUS Council wise and Mr Mayor TOWN CRIER Now’s the time to do and dare CHORUS Now’s the time to do and dare TOWN CRIER Greedy rats will drive us crazy TOWN CRIER + CHORUS Come on council don’t be lazy TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE, CHORUS + CHILDREN Rats, rats Rats, rats
Bar 731
RATS Yes, yes, O yes, yes indeed We are ready for a feed BEATRICE BRITTLE These horrid rodents munch away my profits But as things are I’m powerless to stop it
RATS Yes, yes, O yes, yes indeed We are ready for a feed
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Bar 744
Bar 761
TOWN CRIER, R. SPRIG + B. BRITTLE Rustling rats, guzzling rats Some are big as cats Rats, rats, rats, rats, rats, rats
CHORUS + CHILDREN They spoil our carpets Bite our babies Give our little puppies rabies
MR + MRS MAYOR We’ll get rich, we’ll get rich We’ll get rich, we’ll get rich
Rats, rats, rats, rats Rats, rats, rats, rats
RATS
Come on rats, attack and eat Come on rats, attack and eat Come on rats, attack and eat Come on rats, attack and eat Attack now rats and eat All rats now grab a treat Come on rats, attack and eat Come on rats, attack and eat Come on rats, attack and eat Come on rats, attack and eat Come on rats, attack and eat Come on rats, attack and eat Come on rats, attack and eat Come on rats, attack and eat Come on rats, attack and eat Come on rats, attack and eat
CHORUS + CHILDREN Dreadful rats are everywhere Pillage and plunder everywhere Scuttling fearless under feet In search of sweets and bread and meat
They spoil our carpets Bite our babies And give our little puppies rabies Rats, rats Under out mats Eating our hats Outwitting our cats Rats Rats Rats Rats
THE PIED PIPER ARRIVES Bar 800
CHORUS Who’s this? What’s that? Strange clothes, stranger hat! What an odd cat! PIED PIPER (Spanish) CAT The Piper is Columbian you see Exotic country far across the sea I’m his assistant, interpreter and friend To improve communication A helping paw I lend PIED PIPER (Spanish) Page 12 of 27
CAT His flute enunciates a charm Especially designed to do rats harm He’ll lead them on the road to ruin For these nasty rats there’s trouble brewin’ PIED PIPER (Spanish) CAT Come on gents unbutton your collars Will you pay us a thousand dollars? MR MAYOR Why, of course! CHORUS Why, of course!
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PIED PIPER (Spanish) CAT OK he’ll do it We don’t use force you’ll see Just a little pipe and drumming Before too long you’ll all be humming This promise is by no means hollow We will play, the rats will follow
THE RATS ARE LEAD AWAY Bar 982
RATS Listen to that pretty tune Quite enough to make rats swoon Cease all munching, follow that man He seems to play the flute of Pan MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG + BEATRICE BRITTLE Away they go now out of town Crossing the river heading down
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CHORUS + CHILDREN Away they go now out of town Crossing the river heading down MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG + BEATRICE BRITTLE Away across the fields they go Page 13 of 27
CHORUS + CHILDREN See our disappearing woe MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG + BEATRICE BRITTLE Microscopic now in distance Hopping along without resistance Rats away, rats away MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE CHORUS + CHILDREN Rats away, rats away MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG + BEATRICE BRITTLE Don’t come back again or ever You won’t cross us if you’re clever MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE CHORUS + CHILDREN Rats away, rats away The Mayor will pay, the Mayor will pay For this triumphant grand endeavour MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE Rats away, rats away CHORUS + CHILDREN Rats away, mayor will pay Yes, he’ll pay for this Triumphant grand endeavour Bar 967
RATS Listen to the pretty tune Quite enough to make rats swoon Quite enough to make rats swoon
Bar 979
CHORUS Peace returns to our fair city Let’s keep trading, let’s keep busy TOWN CRIER Hamelin returns To its business affairs Forgetting the cares of vermin vile Bold brazen rats Who even frightened the toughest cats
CHORUS Its six o’clock now, close shops shutters Hurry homewards to our spouses To water gardens and sweep our houses Peace returns to our fair city Let’s keep trading, let’s keep busy
CHORUS All is well, our day is done Home we go, our bread is won Page 14 of 27
MR MAYOR Respond now to the sounding bell CHORUS In ordered living we excel MR MAYOR Return now to your houses neat Prepare some pretty things to eat
NOCTURNE 2 ROSEMARY SPRIG O little owl this worries me It’s been too easy you’ll agree The piper circumstantial stroke of luck That will help the Mayor to pass the buck About resuming half the land That makes my little school so grand OWL Too Woo, Too Woo Too Woo, Too Woo ROSEMARY SPRIG You know little owl I’m no-one’s fool I teach effectively in school I could give the council quite a scare If I decide to run for Mayor O little bird I know I can Assume this role as well as any man OWL Too Woo, Too Woo ROSEMARY SPRIG Thank you little owl for your nice clear vowel I’ll take that as a yes OWL Too Woo, Too Woo ROSEMARY SPRIG Good night little owl, indeed the Mayor’s a pest I must take personal action to alleviate this mess
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THE FOLLOWING DAY TOWN CRIER All is well, the day is dawning Our city comes to life this morning Wake again O Hamelin town Greet the day without a frown TOWN CRIER + BEATRICE BRITTLE The rats are gone, we’re sitting pretty Bar 1080
CHORUS Rats are gone, we’re sitting pretty TOWN CRIER + BEATRICE BRITTLE Thanks to the Piper’s magic ditty CHORUS Thanks to the Piper’s magic ditty TOWN CRIER + BEATRICE BRITTLE Though our Mayor’s a trifle shady CHORUS Cannot really say he’s lazy ROSEMARY SPRIG His business interest vigorously merge With council matters TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG + BEATRICE BRITTLE Surprising that his reputation isn’t left in tatters. Many dealings on the verge Of criminality and abysmal taste His own agenda’s setting such a pace Here he comes
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TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE + CHORUS Here he comes TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG + BEATRICE BRITTLE Here he comes TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE + CHORUS Here he comes TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG + BEATRICE BRITTLE Ahead of his procession Self-promotion being his obsession Page 16 of 27
TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG + BEATRICE BRITTLE Here he comes Bar 1116
TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE + CHORUS Here he comes TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG + BEATRICE BRITTLE Here he comes CHORUS Here he comes TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG + BEATRICE BRITTLE With triumphant sycophantic bunch Ahead of eating a triumphant lunch MR MAYOR All proceed in solemn file To show the world this town has style TOWN CRIER, BEATRICE BRITTLE + CHORUS All proceed in solemn file To show the world this town has style MRS MAYOR Dear you’re very smart indeed To help our town in time of need ROSEMARY SPRIG O yes our Mayor is smart indeed To help our town in time of need
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MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, BEATRICE BRITTLE + CHORUS Come let’s all sit down to lunch Together we pack quite a punch Truffles rare and corn been hash Accompanied by a garlic mash TOWN CRIER Distinguished ones, a potential pest I fear I must announce a guest Good councillors, now don’t get hyper I announce to you the Pied Piper PIED PIPER (Spanish)
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CAT Here he is to collect his fee Then he’ll go away you’ll see MR MAYOR Now not so fast my Mister Pied I would not say that I have lied Just stretched a little with the truth To tell bold fibs is quite uncouth MR + MRS MAYOR You see dear man, we have to edit Quite judiciously our credit Extend the date when money’s due And offer things in kind, in lieu And indeed we don’t at all appreciate Your boldness – get the picture mate Great! Go and leave us to our eating Otherwise you‘ll cop a beating Importuning is quite tasteless Rude demands will prove quite baseless MR MAYOR Yes I may be an old curmudgeon MRS MAYOR Yes he is an old curmudgeon But you are ruining our luncheon CHORUS You are ruining their luncheon
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MR + MRS MAYOR Amscray, scat, get out of here Or Policeman’s boots will bruise your rear Policemen’s boots will bruise your rear! CHORUS Policeman’s boots will bruise your rear All dance. MRS MAYOR You are running our luncheon MR + MRS MAYOR Go or you might feel the truncheon
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MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR + CHORUS Leave at once this high class function
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MR + MRS MAYOR Amscray, scat, get out of here CHORUS Amscray, scat, get out of here MR + MRS MAYOR Or Policeman’s boots will bruise your rear! CHORUS Policeman’s boots will bruise your rear!
RECIT MRS MAYOR With our coffers we are tough Fifty dollars is enough MR MAYOR Ample payment for your piping Come now, leave and no more griping PIED PIPER (Spanish) CAT You are rude and avaricious And your action’s, injudicious Have you for gratitude any capacity If you treat us with such audacity Folks who put him in such a passion Will find him pipe in quite another fashion PIED PIPER (Spanish) CAT Now greedy ones, now listen well This spell is from the gates of Hell Our magic powers now we’ll prove You’re frozen now, you cannot move
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THE CHILDREN ARE LEAD AWAY CAT Come now children, follow this tune We will dance by the light of the moon CHILDREN Come now, come let’s follow this tune We will dance by the light of the moon
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CAT O what inviting pretty sound Do join in and sing a round CHILDREN O what inviting pretty sound Let’s join in and sing a round MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG + BEATRICE BRITTLE We can’t believe our eyes and ears Immobile here with all our fears Enchanted now we cannot act Our lives are ruined that’s a fact Our children follow skipping, hopping Without a care, without a frown They make their exit from our town
O little ones, O do not go Do not abandon us to woe Our grief now cuts so deep we cry Our eyes from tears will never dry
CHILDREN (in a round 3 times) Off we go, off we go On the light and playful toe His enchantment leads the ear Follow him and have no fear
CHORUS O little ones O do not go Do not abandon us to woe
TOWN CRIER Go home the sleep of grief to take Sorrow’s burden leaden hearts doth make
NOCTURNE 3 ROSEMARY SPRIG Such strange events these last few hours Such witness to such magic powers A punishment for indifferent greed For selfishness in thought and word and deed
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OWL Too Woo, Too Woo Mopoke Hoopoke ROSEMARY SPRIG O little owl it’s you again Not even you can ease my pain In my schoolyard no more voices Now we face some awful choices I do not know just what to do So little bird I turn to you OWL Too Woo mopoke
RECIT ROSEMARY SPRIG You can help us, joy unbounded And I know my trusts well founded OWL Too Woo mopoke ROSEMARY SPRIG So you’ll fly and tell the Piper That our Mayor’s a dreadful liar OWL Too Woo mopoke Too Woo mopoke ROSEMARY SPRIG A message? What message? OWL Too Woo, Too Woo Mopoke, hoopoke ROSEMARY SPRIG I see! ‘Don’t judge us by those who rule Rather by those who teach in school.’ That’s wonderful, my little Owl Indeed you are a splendid fowl OWL Too Woo, Too Woo Mopoke, hoopoke Page 21 of 27
ROSEMARY SPRIG Also you maintain that on reflection I must run in the coming election Okay, I promise, wise good bird Your request I’ve clearly heard Take your message, fly away Can you bring our children back by dawn of day? OWL Too Woo, Too Woo Mopoke, hoopoke ROSEMARY SPRIG Thanks indeed, I knew you could Farewell Owl so wise and good I must be now for battle ready Thoughts collected calm and steady Mind at peace my programme clear There will be some change ‘round here
DAWN THE FOLLOWING DAY Children are heard singing in the distance. CHILDREN Over the hills and far away We’ve been, we’ve been
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Children are heard singing closer. CHILDREN Over the hills and far away We’ve seen, we’ve seen Children are heard singing closer still. Bar 1530
CHILDREN Over the hills and far away We’ve been, we’ve been Over the hills and far away We’ve seen, we’ve seen TOWN CRIER Hark! All awake it’s a brand new day I hear a song from far away Happy voices, happy sound This will may our joy abound
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Children on stage. CHILDREN Over the hills and far away We’ve been, we’ve seen
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ROSEMARY SPRIG Ah, home again, what joy!
SOPRANOS O such joy today
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BEATRICE BRITTLE I’m so happy, there will be lollies for all for free
ALTOS O happy day
TOWN CRIER Happy voices, happy sound This will may our joy abound
TENORS Happy voices, happy sound
BASSES O happy day
TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE + CHORUS O happy day, our hearts were broken Damn the Mayor! We need a token Of appreciation for our Piper now Quickly – we don’t need another row, Put into his hat some money That will keep his disposition sunny CHILDREN Home again, we’ve had such fun It’s been such a splendid run Piper took us here and there Don’t ask us how or why or where Piper’s nice – he’s okey-doke He’s not scary, real good bloke TOWN CRIER, R. SPRIG + B. BRITTLE Little ones are home again How their Laughter Eased our pain
CHILDREN Home again, we’ve had such fun It’s been such a splendid run Piper took us here and there Don’t ask us how or why or where Piper’s nice – he’s okey-doke He’s not scary, real good bloke
TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE + CHORUS Dearest Piper, we’re so grateful CHILDREN Home again, we’ve had such fun It’s been such a splendid run Piper took us here and there Don’t ask us how or why or where Piper’s nice – he’s okey-doke He’s not scary, real good bloke Yes!
CHORUS Hamelin’s actions have been shameful Yes!
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CAT Now Crier, we consider that it’s fair That you go fetch the guilty pair Their bad behaviour had civic implications you see And made all Hamelin less than it might be The Piper might have this ‘n’ that to say To mark the date of this important day PIED PIPER (Spanish) CAT Now kids, you safely home he’s led Certain things must now be said This Mayor of yours is such a turkey Doing deeds so dark and murky Mayoress too is quite a viper Trust the word of the Pied Piper Ham’lin needs a brand new Mayor A candidate who honesty will swear PIED PIPER (Spanish) CAT There is one girl, her heart’s so big Guess what her name is? Rosie Sprig! A little owl she sent to me Who pleaded and who made me see That most in Hamelin are good If you’d just cut out some dead wood So open the gates of City Hall Indeed pride comes before a fall TOWN CRIER + BEATRICE BRITTLE Miss Sprig for Mayor! Miss Sprig for Mayor! TOWN CRIER, BEATRICE BRITTLE + CHORUS Miss Sprig for Mayor! Miss Sprig for Mayor! We’ll make our city welcoming and fair Make our city welcoming and fair ROSEMARY SPRIG My heartfelt thanks for this great honour Mayor and Mayoress, you’re a goner To make amends for all our sorrow Some hats and working gloves you’ll borrow Page 24 of 27
Be at my school on Monday morning Early, just as day is dawning Trim the hedges, paint the fences Hear the students conjugate their tenses Community service is for you The fitting penance you must do Only then you’ll have a base Among us to retake your place Only then you’ll have a base Among us to retake your place MR + MRS MAYOR O Miss Sprig, you’re firm but fair Yes, we are the guilty pair We accept your just directive Embracing now the path corrective RSOEMARY SPRIG While I’m in the process of reform Dear Beatrice, this is your new norm Of children’s teeth you’ll stem the loss By selling lots of dental floss Toothbrushes, toothpaste, apples too No more wads of sugary goo BEATRICE BRITTLE O Miss Sprig, you’re firm but fair Indeed possessing judgement rare TOWN CRIER O Beatrice dear, my heart I’ve saved So my natural inhibitions I have braved I’ve admired you secretly for years My love for you has conquered all my fears BEATRICE BRITTLE Each day your shining voice wakes me from sleep Your revelation now inspires me to leap Into a new-found purpose blessed by happiness of life One day soon we might be man and wife TOWN CRIER The music of your words within my heart I’ll keep Your fine suggestion now inspires me to leap Into a new-found purpose blessed by happiness of life
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TOWN CRIER + BEATRICE BRITTLE Leap into a new-found purpose Leap into a new purpose Leap into a new life blessed indeed BEATRICE BRITTLE Meanwhile I’ll just say ‘How jolly’ And for your tired tonsils take this eucalyptus lolly PIED PIPER (Spanish) CAT OK, he says with patience and persistence Find ways to lend assistance Little students, he donates his fee For your futures this gift will be the key Pied Piper whispers in the Cat’s ear. OK, citizens of Hamelin, this is serious not funny A little bit of charity’s worth more than any money Love and care for one another Like a sister and a brother Do not lie, and pay your bills A certain cure for many ills PIED PIPER, CAT MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE O Ham’lin neat, our lovely city Bar 1908
CHORUS Ham’lin neat, our lovely city PIED PIPER, CAT MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE Let’s admit our moral sense was iffy CHORUS Let’s admit our moral sense was iffy PIED PIPER, CAT MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE Now we see the error of our ways PIED PIPER, CAT MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE + CHORUS Miss Sprig will lead us on to better days Page 26 of 27
PIED PIPER, CAT MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE To make a town where care for one another PIED PIPER, CAT MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE + CHORUS Makes us treat our neighbour like a sister and a brother PIED PIPER, CAT MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE We must forgive our former leaders who were naughty As long as they live life a bit less haughty So let’s join hands and so begin apace To make a real community PIED PIPER, CAT MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE + CHORUS To make a real community of grace Real community of grace Now let night’s gentle mantle fall PIED PIPER, CAT MR MAYOR, MRS MAYOR, TOWN CRIER, ROSEMARY SPRIG, BEATRICE BRITTLE The moon is rising, the owl he calls ALL (excluding rats) Angels make the gift of peace Let all strife and rancour cease Let love and care and plain goodwill Our city’s destiny fulfil
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