Andrew Webber - Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar

ACT-I

Overture.

Heaven on their minds.

JUDASMy mind is clearer now at last all too well
I can see where we all soon will be
If you strip away the myth from the man
You will see where we all soon will be

Jesus! You've started to believe
The things they say of you
You really do believe
This talk of God is true
And all the good you've done
Will soon get swept away
You've begun to matter more
Than the things you say

Listen Jesus I don't like what I see
All I ask is that you listen to me
And remember I've been your right hand man all along
You have set them all on fire
They think they've found the new Messiah
And they'll hurt you when they find they're wrong
I remember when this whole thing began
No talk of God then we called you a man
And believe me my admiration for you hasn't died
But every word you say today
Gets twisted round some other way
And they'll hurt you if they think you've lied

Nazareth your famous son should have stayed a great unknown
Like his father carving wood he'd have made good
Tables chairs and oaken chests would have suited Jesus best
He'd have caused nobody harm no-one alarm
Listen Jesus do you care for your race?
Don't you see we must keep in our place?
We are occupied have you forgotten how put down we are?
I'm frightened by the crowd
For we are getting much too loud
And they'll crush us if we go too far

Listen Jesus to the warning I give
Please remember that I want us to live
But it's sad to see our chances weakening with every hour
All your followers are blind
Too much heaven on their minds
It was beautiful but now it's sour
Yes it's all gone sour

What's the buzz. / Strange thing, Mystifying.

Bethany, Friday Night

APOSTLESWhat's the buzz? Tell me, what's happening?

JESUSWhy should you want to know?
Don't you mind about the future,
Don't you try to think ahead
Save tomorrow for tomorrow,
Think about today instead

APOSTLESWhat's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?

JESUSI could give you facts and figures -
I could give you plans and forecasts
Even tell you where I'm going -

APOSTLESWhen do we ride into Jerusalem?

JESUSWhy should you want to know?
Why are you obsessed with fighting
Times and fates you can't defy?
If you knew the path we're riding
You'd understand it less than I

APOSTLESWhat's the buzz? Tell me what's happening

MARY MAGDALENELet me try to cool down your face a bit

JESUSThat feels nice, so nice...
Mary that is good -
While you prattle through your supper
Where and when and who and how
She alone has tried to give me
What I need right here and now

APOSTLESWhat's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?

JUDASIt seems to me a strange thing, mystifying
That a man like you can waste his time on women of her kind
Yes, I can understand that she amuses
But to let her stroke you, kiss your hair, is hardly in your line

It's not that I object to her profession
But she doesn't fit in well with that you teach and say
It doesn't help us if you're inconsistent
They only need a small excuse to put us all away

JESUSWho are you to criticise her?
Who are you to despise her?
Leave her, leave her, let her be now
Leave her, leave her, she's with me now
If your slate is clean then you can throw stones
If your slate is not then leave her alone

I'm amazed that men like you can be so
Shallow thick and slow
There is not a man among you who knows
or cares if I come or go

ALL (save JUDAS)No you're wrong! You're very wrong!
How can you say that?

JESUSNot one not one of you!

Everything's alright.

MARY MAGDALENETry not to get worried, try not to turn on to
Problems that upset you, oh, don't you know
Everything's alright, yes, everything's fine
And we want you to sleep well tonight
Let the world turn without you tonight
If we try we'll get by so forget all about us tonight

APOSTLES' WOMENEverything's alright, yes, everything's alright, yes

MARY MAGDALENESleep and I shall soothe you, calm you and anoint you
Myrrh for your hot forehead, oh, then you'll feel
Everything's alright, yes, everything's fine
And it's cool and the ointment's sweet
For the fire in your heap and feet
Close your eyes, close your eyes
And relax think of nothing tonight

APOSTLES' WOMENEverything's alright, yes, everything's alright, yes

JUDASWoman, your fine ointment brand new and expensive
Could have been saved for the poor
Why has it been wasted? We could have raised maybe
Three hundred silver pieces or more
People who are hungry, people who are starving
Matter more than your feet and hair

MARY MAGDALENETry not to get worried, try not to turn on to
Problems that upset you, oh, don't you know
Everything's alright, yes, everything's fine
And we want you to sleep well tonight
If we try we'll get by so forget all about us tonight

APOSTLES' WOMENEverything's alright, yes, everything's alright, yes

JESUSSurely, you're not saying we have the resources
To save the poor from their lot?
There will be poor always, pathetically struggling -
Look at the good things you're got
Think! While you still have me
More! While you still see me
You'll be lost and you'll be so sorry when I'm gone

MARY MAGDALENESleep and I shall soothe you, clam you, and anoint you
Myrrh for your hot forehead, oh, then you'll feel
Everything's alright, yes, everything's fine
And it's cool and the ointment's sweet
For the fire in your head and feet
Close your eyes, close your eyes
And relax think of nothing tonight
Close your eyes, close your eyes and relax

ALLEverything's alright, yes, everything's alright, yes

This Jesus must die.

Jerusalem, Sunday

PRIEST 1Good Caiaphas the council waits for you
The Pharisees and priests are here for you

CAIAPHASAh gentlemen you know why we are here
We've not much time and quite a problem here

MOB (outside)Hosanna! Superstar!

ANNASListen to that howling mob of blockheads in the street!
A trick or two with lepers and the whole town's on its feet

ALLHe is dangerous

MOB (outside)Jesus Christ Superstar -
Tell us that you're who they say you are

ALLHe is dangerous

PRIEST 2The man is in town right now to whip up some support

PRIEST 3A rabble rousing mission that I think we must abort