Southern Gothic Musical - First Listen

A shoe box full of crisp new recordings, as the band writes the Southern Gothic Musical right before your eyes…

Cast

  Diana Payne, the Witch - 18

    Having suffered the kidnapping of a child in her youth, who was returned but unalterably changed by dark forces, Diana devoted herself to the earth and nature, conjuring supernatural powers that she practices in exile from the growing settler society around her. Teresa is strong, self-possessed, and silent until summoning the deep earthly connection that is her greatest source of peace, strength, and unnatural force. 

 John Haskett, the Preacher - 50

An artist. A performer. Narcissistic and egotistical. Raised in a strict religious family, John developed deeply subverted sexual desires that he denies and channels into control and cruelty towards women in his congregation. He is charismatic, charming, and utterly amoral. 
  
 Miriam Locke, The Sycophant - 27

An orphaned girl adopted by the church, now as a woman she is the right hand of the preacher. Haskett has a child by her that she keeps secret. The baby is delivered by Diana, and after thinking she could keep the child safe, she is forced to give up the baby when it becomes ill. She is the central accuser of Diana when more children go missing. 
  
James Payne, The Older Brother

A devout disciple of John Haskett, he is the uncompromising Christian who would put his sister on trial for the good of the church, the soul of the community,  and the safety of his family. 
  
Aaron Payne, The Younger Brother

He’s a conflicted moralist, wants to live up to his older brother’s piety but is traumatized by the loss of their sister and inclined to compromise his puritan resolve to reintegrate her into the community and have a sister again. He pines for Miriam but his love seems unrequited
  
Robert Fell, The Quaker

Original preacher/true spirit of the church, older than Haskett and beleaguered by the zealousness of the new church. Quaker vibes. Believed they should give up the extra rye harvested that year to neighboring villages and native people of the area but he is shouted down by Haskett.. Sings Diana and The Bowl.
  
The Drunk

Whimsical and sweet, The Drunk is not a regular attendant at church services, but stumbles in on the witch trial, looking for community… and alcohol. He is an easygoing drifter, who lacks the grit for frontier life but always manages to ensconce himself within a strong community. A penchant for rye whiskey, he knows it’s grown here.
  
Terah Ames, The Wanderer

A mysterious woman who wanders in off the road looking for shelter, she comes to the church weary and exhausted with no knowledge of the congregation or its plans for the night. She tells of her travels and of the surrounding settlements and native people.
  
Pearl, The Eighth Woman

...

Act I Act II

The Lord’s Way

We gather here to greet each day

To live our lives the Lord’s way

We bow our heads, we kneel and pray

We live our lives the Lord’s way

For in these walls we are kept safe

The wolves and natives kept at bay

We swear that we will never stray

We live our lives the Lord’s way

We traveled far from distant shores

The English church we’ll serve no more

For Calvin’s faith had been disserved

But on new land we’ll grow it pure

The trip was fierce and fraught with strife

But like our Lord we sacrificed

And so we earned our rightful place

We live our lives the Lord’s way

Under the cross we yield our pride

We summon every child inside

A sinner’s life we can’t elide

But in these walls we see the light

Our teacher’s voice is strong and just

And in all things he counsels us

We wait to hear what he will say

We live our lives the Lord’s way

The devil’s snare is never far

He watches us and tempts our hearts

But we find strength in pious kin

We search for evil from within

And when we find a mortal breach

Our father’s hand from heaven reach

To smite the wretch, to guide the stray

We live our lives the Lord’s way

Another Child

Another child

Another loss

Another night we’re bent before the cross

What have we done

What are our sins

To force our God to make us witnesses

To all this death

To all these cries

To all the pain

Before our eyes

What have we won if our future’s undone

If our freedom has cost us our daughters and sons

What are we worth if our destiny’s cursed

If each mothers’ heart’s burst with another child gone

Sympathetic

First there was one

Who disappeared

Thought it was done, but then our greatest fears

Superstitious

Were realized

And now it’s twelve

What can we do to stop the fall to hell?

We must behave

We must be brave

Must find the witch

We must pray

Preacher

Someone’s responsible, damned and abominable

We must stand honorable, the monster must die

Chorus

Look for the signs of her, cripples and blasphemers

Birthmarks and dark arts and any white lie

James

You promised brother

If there’s another

We’d find Diana and bring her forward

We can’t protect her

They all suspect her

The signs all point in her direction

Aaron

I know you’re right

I will not fight

I gave her grace like any brother might

But now I see

That it won’t end

And we must bring our sister in

James

We must go

God give conviction, avenge each young victim

We’ll search for the villains and make them stand trial

We won’t be thwarted, our strength be rewarded

Like grains at the harvest, we’ll bring back each child

Robert Fell

What good is prayer if no innocent’s spared

Miriam

What good is love if it’s dead in the bud

James & Aaron

What good is family if she’s always damning us?

Diana

What good’s a religion that breeds so much killing?

All

We’ll kill for the good of another child!

Worthy

We are gathered here today for a very worthy cause

To subject this unclean woman to the scourging of our laws

And if she is found guilty before justice before God

We will cleanse her in the water we will tame her with the rod

So mind your eyes and ears for she will doubtless tempt your senses

You must fortify your morals you must mount all your defenses

For ever since the serpent was seduced by clever Eve

We have seen the web of lies that women weave

Will you be worthy

Of the moment to come

There will be glory

For those who are strong

And now with great regret I must recount the spate of crimes

The epidemic loss of children suffered in our times

We’ve counted twelve innocent souls abducted from our midst

Stolen from their beds by monsters adding to their list

So we reluctant hunters must find every guilty scoundrel

There will be no peace nor respite for the hounds who haunt this counsel

And to this day we have sent eight demoniacs to death

But it seems there is at least one devil left

Will you be worthy

Of the moment to come

There will be glory

For those who are strong

Will you take shelter

In the body and blood

No one escapes

From the eyes of God

Look up at your preacher, at God’s conduit on Earth

Remember how I guided our frail ship to blessed berth

And protected our small tribe from both the threats inside and out

I’ll be damned if I let these foul wretches sow their seeds of doubt

I pledge to you today that we will crush their evil scheme

And return this pious people to the frontier of our dreams

So steel yourself to answer the Lord’s final fierce demand

Our righteous triumph is now near at hand

Will you be worthy

Of the moment to come

There will be glory

For those who are strong

Will you take shelter

In the body and blood

No one escapes

From the eyes of God

The Nine

The first she was cursed

Marked at her birth

A half moon hung under one eye

She was caught out at night

Naked in moonlight

We didn’t let her see another sunrise

The second was reckoned

Caught teaching lessons

Science and heresy

She tried to defend her dark acumen

But we all know what she believed

We cry

For the nine

But everybody here knows why they died

The third was unpure

And sadly couldn’t be cured

She slept out with the goats in the stables

And when her madness came

She had to be put in chains

We prayed to save her soul but weren’t able

The fourth was a martyr, a true fire starter

Defended the other three

And that showed her guilt

Revealed her true ilk

Her pyre burned to set us free

We cry

For the nine

But everybody here knows why they died

The fifth lived in filth

In the holler up in the hills

She raised beasts too foul for slaughter

Rabid and possessed

Suckled at her own breast

Some say she even fed them her daughters

The sixth she was sick, her legs bent and cricked

A burden in every sense

She begged at the end

But had not one friend

That spoke for her innocence

We cry

For the nine

But everybody here knows why they died

The seventh wasn’t unpleasant

Church going and so repentant

We all believed she was a pious one

But with whispers down the pews

She knew she would be accused

She swallowed all her secrets with a long gun

The eighth was a wraith

Thin as a snake

She took her meals own her own

The last words she sang

Beware of the grain

We feasted after she was stoned

We cry

For the nine

But everybody here knows why they died

And now with regret

We’re forced to admit

This sickness still hasn’t passed

Lord give us power

In this fragile hour

May the ninth woman be our last

We cry for the nine

But everybody here condemned them to die

Guilty

James

It brings us no joy

To stand before you now

She is our sister

Our blood is a vow

But there is a call

That sounds deeper than blood

To the family I love

To the judgment of God

Aaron

And when I was seventeen

She ran away from us

And I don’t know what it means

I can’t account for much

But when our father died

He called out her name

And our mother cried

But she never came

So she’s guilty of breaking our hearts

Of leaving us lost

She pulled us apart

But is she guilty of hurting a child?

I couldn’t say

She’ll have to face trial

James

For guidance in life

I look to the word

When Eve tasted the fruit

Adam fell on the sword

And if Diana’s been tempted

And the devil has won

I would not hesitate to deliver her fate

To protect my own son

Aaron

And when she was seventeen

She came back to us

I don’t know what she’d seen

I don’t know who she loves

But when she did return

She was not the same

She’d let her family burn

But she never felt ashamed

James

So she’s guilty of inviting the dark

Aaron

(of breaking our hearts)

James

And we’ve born the cross

Aaron

(of leaving us lost)

She pulled us apart

Aaron

(she pulled us apart)

James

But is she guilty of hurting a child?

Aaron

(She’s hurt us before)

James

She’ll have to face trial

Excuse Me

Excuse me I really shouldn’t be here

Excuse me will they be serving beer here?

Excuse me

I just came in from out of town

And I was following the crowd

Thought I could treat you to a round

But now it’s clear

You’re serving darker spirits here

Excuse me it’s really not my business

Excuse me just one unbiased witness

Excuse me

There doesn’t seem much evidence

To torture this poor resident

In such a fine establishment

As this appears

There’s better ways to drown your fears

Can’t we all just along

Let’s tie one on

The night is long and we’re together

With the coming of the dawn

Who’s right? Who’s wrong?

Who can remember?

Excuse me, let’s show a little mercy?

Excuse me, perhaps we’re all a little thirsty?

Excuse me

Which witch was witch, which brother snitched,

They disappeared? Kids will be kids

I don’t know what the answer is

I’m sure they’re fine

Now I came here for communion, where’s the wine?

Can’t we all just along

Let’s tie one on

The night is young and we’re together

With the coming of the dawn

Who’s right? Who’s wrong?

Who can remember?

Excuse me, it’s been a lovely evening

Excuse me, I really should be leaving

Excuse me, the simple architecture

Excuse me, an entertaining lecture

It really has been charming

Not in the least alarming

Thank you for your hospitality

Now please

Excuse me

Try Me

Try me

Question everything I am

Then tie me

To the closest tree

Burn it down and gather round to see

If I live or die

There’s only one way

To try me

Try me

Take my brothers

Make them both despise me

Push me past the brink

Will I float or will my body sink

To the bottom where I’ll lie

There’s only one way

To try me

Try me

Then suffocate the ones you hate

Beside me

Choke us with both hands sir

Don’t give in until you get your answers

Or at least a reason why

There’s only one way

To try me

Come Back Alive

Call me back darlin'

When you hear me call your name

If I don't hear you

I'll think somebody came

If I can't find you

I'll wait on down the hill

And if you don't find me

I'll think you been killed

And if you don't find me

I'll run on down the road

Find me the Sheriff

Tell him what I know

Find me the Preacher and

Pray for your soul

No safe place child

We don't know why

Come back my baby

Come back alive

Last night I held him

My little lamb

Slept with his bible

Tight in his hand

So many children

Lost in the night

Thought mine was safe

Went and locked his room tight

When he was sleeping

Candle burned low

Devil came calling

And I didn't know

No safe place child

We don't know why

Come back my baby

Come back alive

Early this morning

I did my chores

Sun hadn’t risen

This was before

Fetched the day’s water

My blood went cold

I felt eyes on me

I was not alone

Then I heard voices

I heard my child

I ran so reckless

Heart beating wild

I chased a shadow

And as I drew close

The voices grew louder

Had him almost

Then all went silent

Just like a curse

I saw somebody

Looked just like her

No safe place child

We don't know why

Come back my baby

Come back alive

Diana

We all know the tale of that strange, lonely girl

Diana

Her mother was silent, her father a churl

Diana, Diana

And so she went out to the waters at dawn

To pray there, for wayfare

And nobody noticed one day she was gone

Diana, Diana

So now come her brothers to right history

We know them, we listen

But will what they say withstand our scrutiny

Don’t be blind, trust your mind

What do you want to see?

Is it vengeance or mercy?

Is this still a house of the Lord?

Have the angels all gone?

Do the demons take throne?

And our fates balance sharp on the sword?

Diana

The children went missing, we’re lost in our grief

Who suffers? Their mothers

But if they returned soon, what truth would they see?

Eight women, all victims

Not all things that vanish are dead and buried

Like a freeze hides the leaves

Perhaps there are secrets best left in the trees

They grow there, unaware, they are spared

What do you want to see?

Innocent or guilty?

Isn’t this the judgment of the Lord?

When you stand at the gates?

Are you sure of your fate?

You’ve condemned eight women, now one more?

Are you sure?

Diana

What Say You

HASKETT

People say you used be close

You would talk for hours and sew

Play out by the river until it froze

What say you

MIRIAM

I was a child then

And she was never my friend

HASKETT

People say you went to the woods

Where only Diana’s home stood

That you were likely up to no good

What say you

MIRIAM

Can’t believe all you hear

I was never there

HASKETT

People say they saw you at night

Running to the river in fright

Carried something in your arms tight

What say you

MIRIAM

It wasn’t me

You must believe

We are not thick

But I’ll be quick

I’ve seen enough

To tell you this

She is a witch

Spread The Word

Woman 1: Sympathetic

Woman 2: Superstitious

Woman 3: Gullible

Woman 4: Fearful (Wandering Girl?)

Intro riff ala Peter & The Wolf (major) into the creepy scale

Woman 1: I heard a rumor yesterday

Woman 2: From who?

Woman 1: You know that I can’t say

Woman 1: She spoke about the poor accused

Woman 3: You mean the witch!

Woman 1: But we don’t know that’s true

Woman 1: I’ve heard she’s helped many of us

That woman come

To have things done

And we can trust her

Woman 2: Well, that’s not what I’ve heard at all

Woman 4: What then?

Woman 2: She works among a dark cabal

They bathe themselves in children’s blood

That’s why she never has enough

Woman 4: Oh god please say that isn’t true

Woman 1: Oh please

Perhaps she has horns too?

And drags a tail under her dress

Woman 3: You laugh but can you disprove this?

Woman 2: She vanished when she was thirteen

4 years ago she’s back again

And now our children disappear

You can’t tell me that isn’t queer

What you’ve heard is only half the story

The rest is left in purgatory

Until it's time

To pull the twine

We braid the threads until they’re bound forever

The truth is something that we stitch together

We spread the word

What have you heard?

Woman 3: I heard she drove her mother mad

Woman 2: Her pious father left in tatters

Woman 1: Well James rebuilt their family name

Woman 4: But Aaron’s still broken

All: Such a shame

Woman 1: Miriam dear, who are you knitting that for?

Woman 2: Can your hope chest fit anything more?

Woman 4: My Sam would be four years today. This would suit him, wouldn’t you say?

Woman 3: My Abigail always loved red, soaked onion skins to dye this thread.

Woman 1: It’s lovely, and you’ve such fine knitting. When she returns it will be so fitting.

Woman 4: Why is Miriam still a maid?

Woman 1: An orphan girl has fewer ways

To be well matched.

Woman 3: It’s such a waste

She’s young and fair, and also chaste

Woman 4: And Aaron walks her home each day

Why is it that they’re not engaged?

Woman 3: Yes it’s clear she’s being courted

Father Haskett won’t support it?

Woman 2: She’s not as perfect as she seems

You know where walking home can lead

And you did not hear this from me

But Miriam is keeping secrets

What you’ve heard is only half the story

The rest is left in purgatory

Until it's time

To pull the twine

We braid the threads until they’re bound forever

The truth is something that we stitch together

Talk of the town

Join in round

We spread the word

What have you heard?

What I Wouldn’t Give

They say I’m keeping secrets

They whisper for their fun

But if they knew what I had given

If they knew what I had done

Verse:

What I wouldn’t give to hold my child again

What I wouldn’t give to love a gentle man

Pre:

But the forces of this world are cruel

They take it all away from you

I trusted my sick child into the river’s care

And he was taken there

I held her hand

And I felt the dark descend

Verse 2:

What I wouldn’t give to have a sense of peace

What I wouldn’t give for the freedom of release

Pre:

The dreams you dare dream for yourselfJust bait the snare; Trap you in hell

I wish I never felt the love I did

But to let the one who stole it all from me

Go free

And live

That’s what I wouldn’t give

Verse 3:

What I wouldn’t give to be what I pretend

What I wouldn’t give to confess it all to him

Pre:

No one has a child alone

The sin we share, the pain I own

The path my life would take was always his

But to let the one who stole it all from me

Go free

And live

That’s what I wouldn’t give

Bridge:

My parents lost their lives

I was unwanted, left behind

I never thought I’d be a mother

I guess I’m not one any longer

And I could tell the truth

But then I would be accused

How did I become the witness to a lifetime full of lies

Verse 4:

What I wouldn’t give to make it all alright?

What I wouldn’t give to bring back every stolen life?

But I’m just one voice in the crowd

A broken vessel who’s drown out

I’ll never find the joy and love I’ve missed

But to let the one who stole it all from me

Go free

And live

To forgive

That’s what I couldn’t give

That’s what I wouldn’t give

Where Are You Going?

Where are you going?

Why can’t I follow?

I had a dream you

Took me away

Past rivers flowing

Far from this sorrow

You found a way through

But I had to stay

Even now

It’s like I’m drowning

Why is guilt so lonely?

Where are you going?

Why won’t you take me?

We could be happy

Somewhere that’s new

The horizon is glowing

We should be waking

Up with the saplings

Life that we grew

I see you carry

Something so heavy now

But we could withstand the pain

Let me show you how

Just slow down

Where are you going?

What’s in the distance?

Do you search for something

I cannot see

Cold winds are blowing

Bitter and listless

Everyone’s hunting

For something they need

I don’t know what it is

That you’re looking for

But you’ve made each day of this sad life

Worth fighting for

And I want more

Where are you going?

I’ve heard the rumors

They could be true for

All that I care

I would still follow you

Anywhere

So where are you going?

Why can’t I follow?

Follow

Meet me on the high road

Find the path less traveled

Words can deceive

Watch their deeds

God will be where

Your kindness leads

Days that test

Call forth your best

Heaven will be endless

And as you grow (we)

Keep us on the high road

We all search for

A counselor

But in your heart

God’s truth is heard

Meet me on the high road

Back To The Blood

The greatest lie

The devil told

Was that he wasn’t there at all

We live our lives

We feign control

But voices lead us

Want us to fall

And we fall

Into the fire

Into the flood

Out of the water

Back to the blood

All it takes

For evil to win

Is the silence of good men

Cause in that vacuum

There is a voice

It calls out to us

It makes the choice

And we fall

Into the fire

Into the flood

Out of the water

Back to the blood

Don’t let the sun rise

On that big lie

Hold your head high

Speak truth into the night

Act I Act II

The Bowl

Have you anything to give the poor

Something small to fill the bowl

Give today what you can spare, no more

Tomorrow you may have to draw

We are all but humble servants here

Finding shelter from the cold

God provides enough for us to share

Something small to fill the bowl

There is food enough to feed the world

If we do not hoard the seed

Do not let the logs that dam our eyes

Blind us to another’s needs

For the bounty is a joyous thing

Until it molders in our greed

Let us share a healing meal today

If you’re hungry come and eat

Pray, pray, pray

All you do is pray, pray, pray

Of what is it you’re most afraid?

All you do is pray

Our children’s laughter’s stolen by the crows

We’re rooted shallow in this land

We worry others are the enemy

And yet we harm our fellow man

What are we growing in our garden now?

A field of stones with women’s names

Our ears can hear but are we listening?

Can our calloused hearts be saved?

The Spark

One little spark, one little flame

Can blaze a trail to glory

Or burn a path of pain

There are whispers through the ages

There are signs in the trees

There is wisdom in the pages

Only some of us will read

And those who lead

Change

It’s never too late

Change

Until it’s too late

The minute, the second, the season

You never see the fissure till the dam begins to break

You don’t respect the seed until you’re resting in its shade

And you ignore the meek until they’ve claimed the world you made

One little spark, one little flame

The minute, the second, the season

Change, you can’t hold back a crashing wave

It’s up to you to die or

Change, be blighted by the coming plague

The only way to heal is

Change, you hide behind closed eyes and pray

But you won’t stay the same

The minute, the second, the season

Always

Change

I was there when Zeus was pulling lightning from the sky

Osiris lifted water from the banks to flood the Nile

When Moses spoke to God as one small plant began to light

One little spark, saved all their lives

Change, you can’t hold back a crashing wave

It’s up to you to die or

Change, be blighted by the coming plague

The only way to heal is

Change, you hide behind closed eyes and pray

But you won’t stay the same

The minute, the second, the season

Always

Change

And how do we remember every leader in their wake

By the heroes that they favored, by the villains they forsake

Would you know the second coming if you nailed her to the stake?

One little spark, one grave mistake

Change, you can’t hold back a crashing wave

It’s up to you to die or

Change, it doesn’t have to end this way

You each could be the spark of

Change

That’s Enough

That’s enough!

Enough of your blasphemy!

Enough of your heresy!

You’re nothing but the second coming of vermin who spread a most foul disease

Enough of your pitiful stories

Enough of your sick little lies

Enough second chances and logical dances to get us to sympathize

We have heard from every accuser

We have heard from all the aggrieved

Now come to your senses, with this evidence, you must put down this ravenous breed

We rise from the dust

We have pulled ourselves up

We try and we try to earn grace from on high

Then you claim God sent you to save us

Enough is enough

The speed of the ship that I captained

Is the speed with which we must condemn

The treacherous words that she spoke and you heard

Is God testing our discipline

There’s no escaping your duty

You’ve sent eight women to death

That’s not the end

You don’t get to say when

It’s our world to defend

And if we start to bend, they’ll poison whatever is left

The sun will come up in the morning

And shine on the choice that you’ve made

And God will be harsh and he’ll see in your heart if you’re strong or if you’re afraid

We rise from the dust

We have pulled ourselves up

We try and we try to earn our place at God’s side

Then you claim He sent you to save us

Enough is enough

Enough of her tricks

Lock her in the crypt

And prepare the font

She’ll die or she’ll talk

Thank God that we caught her

He’ll work through the water

We’ll get our confession

We’ll have our redemption

We know what she is

Now let’s kill this witch

I speak with the voice of the Lord

His hand has kept mine assured

He’s shown me the depth of her sin

She is the shadow of the doubt

If you dim your light

Then she’ll blow you out

The devil is in the room with us

And you feel it as I do

You must decide who is to trust

And who can trust in you

The great test is upon us now

She’s wrapping round our necks

And if you get seduced somehow

No telling what comes next

The speed of the ship that I captained

Is the speed we need now to condemn

The treacherous words that she spoke and you heard

Is God testing our discipline

The Children Live

Wait!

The children live

Out in the forest

Out in the trees

Under the stars

That’s where they are

That’s where they’ve been

I could hear voices

Bright on the breeze

They are not hurting

They are not burdened

Singing with ease

PRE

Dawn is coming fast

We’ll have peace at last

Hear the good news that I give

CHORUS

The children live

My heart is soaring

Think what this means

More precious than gold

Our children to hold

Instead of our grief

Right over the river

Come quick follow me

They’re healthy and strong

They’re singing our songs

You must believe

There’s a brand new day

We’ve another way

To renew faith and forgive

The children live

(Can it be true)

(Spread the good news)

(To every person)

The children live

(Praise be to God)

(Once again awed)

(By heaven’s mercy)

The children live

If the children live

Father, we prayed

To see this day

Now it has come

Can’t we be done?

God’s opened our eyes

No more must die

The children live

The Snake

HASKET

My congregation

Do not be taken in

We’ve no proof that they live

And this could be a spell of the witch

Oh my sweet Miriam

You must be so shaken

For such a sensitive soul

It must be hard to have no control

You say you’ve seen the children

Then why would you not bring them?

Did you not offer them help?

Thought you’d know better as an orphan yourself

Your mind plays tricks on you

Just like all womens’ do

You wish the truth weren’t true

That our sisters weren’t witches and the trials were through

Yes, we’re all desperate for hope

But if you’ve nothing to show

Your neighbors will not forgive

Chimeric weeds you grow

You could be cast from the garden

If you go out on the wrong limb

The snake is always whispering

And only we can deny him

MIRIAM

I know you took me in

The good samaritan

But it’s all part of your plan

And you’re a beast that’s masquerading as a righteous man

HASKET

How dare you speak to me

With such indecency

I gave you everything, despite disgrace you’d bring

And now you’re a lying hysteric, have you no shame it’s barbaric

MIRIAM

Oh my poor father

God never gave you a daughter

And I know why

If I tell the truth, what will they do to you?

HASKET

You could be cast from the garden

If you go out on the wrong limb

The snake is always whispering

And only we can deny him

Ah now I see what this is all about

You and that fool fell in love and want out

You think it’s easy to walk from God’s sight

But you will get lost in the night

AARON

You have no right!

You could be cast from the garden

If you go out on the wrong limb

The snake is always whispering

And only we can deny him

We must deny him

You could be cast from the garden

If you go out on the wrong limb

The snake is always the strongest when we fear it

Will we know it when we hear it

Should we riot or stay quiet

Bite the apple or deny it

The snake

Brother

VERSE 1

Aaron

Diana we haven’t much time

Haskett’s lost what was left of his mind

He’ll kill you though there’s been no crime

If he won’t hear the truth, you must outrun his noose

James

Well, look who has changed sides again

The softest of blades in the wind

Aaron

James, she is innocent

If you knew what I knew, Brother, you’d free her too

CHORUS

James

How you gonna call me brother

How you gonna share my name

If you don’t love the things I love

If you don’t trust in God above

VERSE 2

James

How could you come to defend

This wretch who would hurt your own kin?

Weak as you always have been

I thought there was line, but you sit there spineless

Aaron How you gonna call me weak?

James Crying to yourself like a Goddamn martyr

Aaron How you gonna call me spineless

James Because you have no honor!

Diana Look to the sky and the trees

Aaron My honor is in admitting my own fault when I am wrong

Your pride and anger doesn’t make you strong

Diana Beware what brings you to your knees

James The curse Diana wrought and what it did to our mother

Diana Daughters of innocent Eve

James Thank god she’s not here to see this, brother

Diana We’ll remember the pain, rivers rise in the rain

Aaron

How you gonna call me brother

How you gonna pass this blame

If you don’t love the things I love

If you can’t find a way to trust me

How we gonna save each other

Are we to be Able and Cain

If you don’t love the things I love

If you must always be our harshest judge?

Diana I’m begging you please

Get up you must go, run and leave

If you stay you will die, can’t you see?

Let us save each other, we are still your brothers

Diana

How’m I gonna call you brothers?

How’m I gonna share this pain?

If you don’t love the things I love

How’m I gonna call you brothers?

How’m I gonna share this pain?

If you don’t love the things I love

James

How could you come to defend

This wretch who won’t save her own skin

I’ll kill you if you try this again

You will lose in this fight, I’ve got God on my side

I refuse to sacrifice my place in heaven

You’ve always been my burden not my brethren

I’ve lived by the book, I’ve done everything right

I will not let you darken God’s light

Aaron

I’ve dreamed about it

The life I wanted

My vision’s clouded

There is no good way out and

An edge is a curious thing

It can give, it can take, it can bleed

If pushed past the brink it can free us

In a storm without cover no sister no brother

Pray

Pray pray pray

Of what is it you’re most afraid?

Tell me are there fears in the night that will give you the strength to

Pray

Father Haskett:

God, you must silence our enemies

Like Abraham I am ready

To sacrifice my flock

So Lord, use me as your instrument

I’ll be the stone that strikes the flint

Make me this new world’s rock

Deacon Fell:

Please, father let the killing cease

The cure is worse than the disease

Take the sickness, save the girl

Lord, I’m tired and I’m so weary

What more would heaven ask of me?

I’ve nothing for this world

Lo, The sun is feeling dark above

As said would be when the Lord comes

Have we done our works of mercy?

Pray pray pray

Of what is it you’re most afraid?

Tell me are there fears in the night that will give you the strength to

Pray

Miriam:

God, I know his secret and I feel his fear

But if I tell the truth I can’t stay here

And I’m tortured by what if they live, what if we did, what if what if what if what if…

God, he’d have me doubting my own ears

Knows if I tell the truth I can’t stay here

And I’m tortured by what if they live, what if we did, what if what if what if what if…

The Drunk:

Gosh, I thank ye for the miracle

The spirits get me spiritual

Each moment is a gift

Pray pray pray

Of what is it you’re most afraid?

Tell me are there fears in the night that will give you the strength to

Pray

Suspicious:

Lord, please root out every foul demon

The harpies and the Indians

I wish to see them hanged

Gullible:

God, please tell me are these stories true?

I’m not cut out for jury du-ty

Can I go back to England?

Pray pray pray

Of what is it you’re most afraid?

If you’ve ever fear in the night it is always a sign to pray

Aaron:

God, don’t let me be alone right now

Which path ahead will calm my doubts

Why do I have to choose?

All:

God, God, God, God, God, God, I really need a sign tonight

To know that you are on my side

And that I cannot lose

James:

God, watch over him and keep him safe

The dawn will bring him better days

I know what I must do

Miriam:

God, please let these people see the truth

We’ve lost our way, they stole youth

Pray pray pray

There’s just one light to guide your way

Prove that you are loyal and true and your heart will be primed to

Pray

Pray pray pray

His words will fill the void we’ve made

When we don’t what befalls us we must join as one chorus

To pray

When we don’t what will befall us we call out to God and

Pray

Pray pray pray

Forgive me for I did not obey

Your commandment to

May these trials make us a beacon

Of light unto the world

I’m scared for my children

I’m scared I’m not the man I thought I’d be

Pray pray pray

All you do is pray pray pray

Can’t you see the choices you make will forsake what you

Deliver us from evil, but they create the evil

The Flame

Two hands pressed tight by candle light

You pray for things to change

With quiet chants, burning incense

Cry out to the unnamed

Behind the moon, behind the veil

A thousand forces stir

But here on Earth, each humble servant

Bows to one master

The flames may comfort you

But flames will come for you

Another child, another trial

Another blameless death

A promise broke, the ashes stoked

You fan a deep unrest

You came to me, I found a way

To treat the children’s pain

The river’s been the medicine

And still it flows unchanged

Behold the night, the endless sky

The shadows in the trees

A path unfolds shepherding souls

Refuge you ‘ll never see

The flames may comfort you

But flames will come for you

I am the end

To what you start

You’re safer in the dark

The Truth

Are we safer in the dark?

Do our secrets shield our hearts?

Or are they heavy stones we hide

That will drown us from inside?

When I was younger

I felt a hunger

A want to be chosen

Held close to God’s bosom (Held close as God’s golden)

But not any longer

I know I’ve fallen

Too many mistakes

To ever be saved

‘Cause the truth is

The lie that we live with

The truth is

the story we tell

Yes the truth is

What’s under the surface

The truth is

Our heaven, our hell

You say women are wanton

And always the wrong ones

When our hips start to ripen

Like fruit on the rose

And men can be tempted

Yet somehow exempted

Of all consequences

And the thorns that they’ve grown

‘Cause the truth is

The lie that we live with

The truth is

The story we tell

‘Cause the truth is I trusted

A man who then lusted

And I have to live with

The death of forgiveness

One night in my chambers

For a lifetime of anger

I hated myself while

As I carried his child

‘Cause the truth is

The hurt that we witness

The truth is

Our heaven, our hell

And I hid it from everyone

Ashamed and abandoned

again

But Diana

once was

A friend that loved

So I went out to see her

And she aided my birth

Of a glorious son

And a tragic lesson

That the truth is

The lie that we live with

The truth is

The story we tell

Yes the truth is

What’s under the surface

The truth is

Our heaven, our hell

Are we safer in the dark?

You’d come to me without remark

Slip my nightclothes o’er my head (

Hold me down in my own bed

Are we safer in the dark?

Making passage under stars

And you promised by your hand

My fevered son’d be well again

So let me state it plainly

For all who can hear me

Haskett fathered my baby

Diana stole him from me

I Don’t Make the Rules

Oh my god in heaven

Protect us from these women

As we complete your mission

The devil makes his last stand

My people in their wisdom

Will see through this deception

Let this witch make confession

Or face a grim baptism

The devil is here

He’s in the room now

God watches us closely

Will we be worthy?

VERSE 1

I don’t make the rules, Amen

Hell, if I don’t live by them

Heaven, if we spread the word

Glory for the conquerors

God wants you to end evil

You are pious, brave people

You deserve a blessed life

Kill the crone and end our strife

PRE

You are the choice you make

You are what you believe

Your strength is forged in your constraints

The sacred rules you keep

CHORUS

God has spoken

The spell must be broken

You have been chosen

I don’t make the rules (AMEN!)

VERSE 2

I’ve led you for decades now

Your shepherd or these barren sows?

Who believes I’d be undone

By the flesh of charlatans

We’re plagued by the weaker sex

Frail spirits will be possessed

Jesus drowned the Legions’ pigs

I won’t cry for damned witches

CHORUS

God has spoken

The spell must be broken

You have been chosen

I don’t make the rules (AMEN!)

BRIDGE

No one likes discipline

Sloth feeds the other sins

Give them a single inch

Watch the mile lost within an instant

I’m not perfect, no

But I am the perfect vessel

This is the moment i was meant for

Sent for, so henceforth

VERSE 3

If it is proof you need

Just look at my enemies

A drunk, a fool, and God’s black sheep

This jezebel who longed for me

Tie her up and try her next

The witch is not alone in this

Conspirators are just as vile

As those with whom they reconcile

CHORUS

God has spoken

The spell must be broken

You have been chosen

I don’t make the rules (AMEN!)

Bottom Of The River

DIANA

Hold my hand

Ooh, baby, it's a long way down to the bottom of the river

Hold my hand

Ooh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down

If you get sleep or if you get none

Miriam: (The cock's gonna call in the morning, baby)

Check the cupboard for your daddy's gun

Miriam: (Red sun rises like an early warning)

The Lord's gonna come for your first born son

Miriam: (His hair's on fire and his heart is burning)

So go to the river where the water runs

Miriam: (Wash him deep where the tides are turning)

And if you fall

And if you fall

Hold my hand

Ooh, baby, it's a long way down to the bottom of the river

Hold my hand

Ooh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down

The wolves will chase you by the pale moonlight

Miriam: (Drunk and driven by a devil's hunger)

Drive your son like a railroad spike

Miriam: (Into the water, let it pull him under)

Don't you lift him, let him drown alive

Miriam: (The good Lord speaks like a rolling thunder)

Let that fever make the water rise

Miriam: (And let the river run dry)

And I said

Hold my hand

Ooh, baby, it's a long way down to the bottom of the river

Hold my hand

Ooh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down

Hold my hand

Ooh, baby, it's a long way, a long long long way

Hold my hand

Ooh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down

I’m so sorry for your suffering, Mir

Miriam: (Why did I take him to the river to die?)

Because I knew your son wouldn’t be safe here

Miriam: (I thought you were going to save his life)

I had to convince you that he’d disappeared

Miriam: (Where did he go? What happened that night?)

I saved your son from both fever and fear

What did you do to my child?

The river healed him and your son survives

Miriam: (Diana, tell me where you’ve kept my baby)

He’s growing wise and strong and kind

Miriam: (Please dear god don’t keep him from me)

He lives beyond the water with the other twelve

Preacher: (Listen to her, she admits her guilt!)

I saved the ones who couldn’t save themselves

Preacher: (Let her blood be spilt!)

Hold my hand

Ooh, baby, it's a long way down to the bottom of the river

Hold my hand

Ooh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down

One last chance

If you want to see you son, you better run, you better run

This is the end

Ooh baby, it's a long way down, a long way down

Worthy Reprise

We are gathered here on Earth

For a very finite time

Will you use your days to punish

Or to move towards the divine

The choice is yours but listen

To the warnings that resound

Through every myth and legend

As the story’s handed down

The fates who spin and snip the strings

Are working through the dark

What you may curse as chaos

Is their precious, sacred art

Your mind is made to open

Your soul is full of god

Will you fall prey to fear

Or stand in awe

Will you be worthy

Of the power you hold

The gift you’ve been given

The secrets unknown

For when the sun darkens

The trumpets will roar

If the balance is broken

I’ll return once more

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