Fairy Tales Can Come True
The original cast of 7 – The Musical
With the box-office success of the Disney Studios’ film adaptation (directed by Rob Marshall) of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Into the Woods, it behooves me at this point to revisit an overlooked masterwork of Brazilian musical theater: Möeller-Botelho-Motta’s 7 – The Musical, an adult version (a VERY adult version, I should strongly add) of the Snow White story.
This elaborate excursion into the fairy-tale realm, a dark-themed noir extravaganza that explores the libidinous motivations of its principal protagonists, made its successful debut on September 1, 2007, in Rio de Janeiro. And since 2010, when I first heard about the show, I have spent these past several years viewing, studying, and describing the origin and background of this fabulous musical-theater piece in several blog posts (see the following link: https://josmarlopes.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/be-careful-what-you-wish-for-a-brazilian-fairy-tale-musical-comes-to-the-rio-stage/).
Today, however, I want to focus primarily on the English translation of its remarkably cogent songs, some of the catchiest and melodious numbers — be they Brazilian, American or otherwise — of any stage musical in recent memory.
So, without further interference from yours truly, here are the songs of 7 – The Musical, in the order in which they appeared in the original 2007 production:
7 – THE MUSICAL
Book by CHARLES MÖELLER
Music by ED MOTTA
Lyrics by CLAUDIO BOTELHO
English Adaptation by JOSMAR LOPES
Musical Numbers
ACT ONE:
- “SONG OF THE REQUESTS” (The Seven Young Men)
A PALE WHITE RODENT
SOME POMEGRANATE SEEDS
A TOOTH THAT’S ROTTED
A LADY’S HIGH-HEELED SHOE
A HOLY BIBLE
A WEDDING BAND
- “NIGHTTIME” (Carmen, Seven Young Men)
NIGHTTIME
ALL AROUND US IS THE NIGHTTIME
ALL AROUND US IS THE BLACKNESS
ALL AROUND US IS DISTURBANCE
BUT BEHIND US IS THE DRABNESS
ALL THE CATS ARE DRAB AND DREARY
ALL THE AIR AROUND IS WEARY
ALL THE ALLEYWAYS ARE TWISTED
CURVING OUT OF SIGHT AND
Seven Young Men
IN THE DARK OF NIGHT!
Carmen and the Cast
AH… NIGHTTIME
SUDDENLY IT WAS THE NIGHTTIME
SUDDENLY THE SOUND OF SCREAMING
SUDDENLY A BODY FALLING
SUDDENLY IT LEFT A BLOODSTAIN
ON THE STREET THERE WAS A BLOODSTAIN
ON THE WALL THERE WAS AN OUTLINE
ON THE COBBLESTONES WERE FOOTSTEPS
AND THE FOOTSTEPS ECHOED
THROUGH THE DARK OF NIGHT
Carmen and the Cast
NIGHTTIME
WHEN WE LISTEN TO THE CHATTER
WHEN WE HARKEN TO THE CLATTER
OF THE VOWS THAT SEEM TO MATTER
AFTER THAT, WHAT ELSE BUT DAY BREAKS
WHEN THE LIGHT OF DAY ADVANCES
WHEN THE RATS GO INTO TRANCES
AND THE PIGS TURN UP THEIR NOSES
WHILE THE DEVIL SLIPS AWAY
THROUGH THE DARK OF NIGHT
THROUGH THE DARK OF NIGHT
THROUGH THE DARK OF NIGHT
- “MAGIC MIRROR’S FIRST RESPONSE” (Seven Young Men)
NOT IN THIS KINGDOM
NO, NOT IN ALL THE WORLD
IS THERE A FAIRER MAID THAN YOU
NOT IN THIS KINGDOM
- “MAGIC MIRROR’S SECOND RESPONSE” (Clara)
SO FAIR AND FRAGILE
THAT LOVELY GIRL, SNOW WHITE
SNOW WHITE IS FAR FAIRER THAN YOU
- “THE SEVENTH REQUEST” (Carmen)
BRING ME A HEART THAT’S STRONG
STILL YOUNG AND VIBRANT
HAPPY AND FREE
Seven Young Men
HAPPY AND FREE!
- “HE’LL BE BACK” (Amelia)
LIKE A RUN SERVANT
WHO RETURNS TO HIS MASTER
LIKE A DEAR OLD COMPANION
LIKE A WAVE ON THE WATER
FLOWING ONE AFTER ANOTHER
HE’LL BE BACK, I VOW
HE’LL COME RUNNING BACK
AS THE SUN AND STARS,
THE MOONLIGHT
WILL COME OUT AS WELL
ALWAYS
NO EXCEPTIONS, NONE
NO THOUGHTS OR WORDS, NONE
HE’LL BE MINE, I SWEAR
MY LOVER
AS I’VE ALWAYS DREAMED
ALWAYS
I SWEAR
YOUR EYES ARE ON MINE, MY LOVE
YOUR ARMS SURROUND MY HEART
THE DOORS ARE NOW CLOSING
CLOSING FAST, MY LOVE, MY HEART
THE ONE I ADORE
- “DANCE AROUND THE DEAD MAN” (Odette, Elvira, Madeleine, Dead Man)
Odette
HE’S DEAD
HE’S GONE
THE DOORS HAVE CLOSED BEHIND
HE’S DOWN
HE’S OUT
HE’LL NEVER COME AROUND
HOW LOUD
HOW SOFT
HOW STRONG
HIS WHINE
HIS SHOUT
HIS SONG
AND THE FLIES BUZZING HERE
HOW KIND
HOW MEAN
HOW HARD WAS HE IN LIFE
A FRIEND
A FOE
A HUSBAND TO HIS WIFE
BUT NOW
HE’S OFF
HE’S THROUGH
HE’S FLAT
HE’S BROKE
HE’S STEW
AND THE FLIES BUZZING HERE
ALL THOSE THINGS ‘ROUND HIS EARS
WHAT A MEAL FOR THE FLEAS
SUCH A JUICY SIGHT
THOSE BLUE FINGERTIPS
THOSE RED EYES, THOSE LIPS
ARE THEY SAYING: WHAT NOW?
Elvira
HE’S DEAD
HE’S DOWN
NO SOCCER GAMES, FOR SURE
HIS TRAIN
LEFT TOWN
BUT NOW HE’S GONE FOR GOOD
HE LEFT
HIS DOG TO MOAN
HIS LEGS
ARE STIFF AS BONES
HIS POOR KIDS, STRANDED THERE
NO MOM
NO POP
TO SAVE HIM IN THE END
NO JOY
NO HOPE
NO SERVICE FOR A FRIEND
IT HURTS
TO DIE
ALONE
TO LIE
HERE ON
HIS OWN
JUST TO WATCH ALL THOSE WORMS
DO THEIR SAMBAS AND TURNS
THEY DON’T CARE HOW HE CHURNS
WE’RE THE SAME INSIDE
FRUIT IS FRUIT INSIDE
WE ALL ROT INSIDE,
KEEP IT OUT OF SIGHT
IT’S TRUE!
Odette
HE’S DEAD
HE’S GONE
THE DOORS HAVE CLOSED BEHIND
HE’S DOWN
HE’S OUT
HE’LL NEVER COME AROUND
HOW LOUD
HOW SOFT
HOW STRONG
HIS WHINE
HIS SHOUT
HIS SONG
ALL THOSE FLIES
BUZZING HERE!
AH!
MadeleineALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT
I THREW IT UP,
ALL RIGHT?
I REALLY CAN’T GO ON
I CAN’T GO ON
WITH THIS
I HAVE TO GO
FOR PITY’S SAKE
SAINT JUDE
AND SAINT JEROME
BY ALL THAT’S RIGHTEOUS IN
THIS WORLD I’M LIVING IN
I REALLY HAVE
TO GO
OH MY SAINT GENOVIEVE
AS LONG AS I CAN BREATHE
I KNOW I CAN’T GO ON
ALL THOSE FLIES
BUZZING HERE!
AH!
ElviraHE’S DEAD
HE’S GONE
THE DOORS HAVE CLOSED BEHIND
HE’S DOWN
HE’S OUT
HE’LL NEVER COME AROUND
HOW LOUD
HOW SOFT
HOW STRONG
HIS WHINE
HIS SHOUT
HIS SONG
ALL THOSE FLIES
BUZZING HERE!
AH!
The Dead Man
I’M DEAD
I’M SCREWED
NO ONE LEAVES ME ALONE!
NO REST
NO JOY
ANNOYING BITCHES TOO!
WHY DON’T
YOU GO
AND SCREW
YOUR MOMS
AND POPS
PLUS TWO
CAN YOU SHOW ME THE WAY
TO THE NEAREST CAFÉ
HELL’S A GREAT PLACE TO STAY
The Dead Man
THAN TO BE HERE
WITH THESE FOOLS
I BET
PURGATORY’S BETTER
THAN THIS
PLACE
I SWEAR THAT
PURGATORY’S BETTER THAN THIS PLACE,
I SWEAR
I CAN’T GO ON!
MadeleineOH, I CAN’T, I CAN’T
I WON’T GO ON
EVEN HELL IS BETTER
THAN THIS PLACE
WHAT A CURSE!
OH WHAT A MESS!
PURGATORY’S BETTER THAN THIS
I JUST
CAN’T GO ON,
NO MORE, NO MORE
MY GOD
I CAN’T GO ON!
Odette & ElviraTHAN TO BE HERE
WITH THESE FOOLS
I BET
PURGATORY’S BETTER
THAN THIS
PLACE
I SWEAR THAT
PURGATORY’S BETTER THAN THIS PLACE,
I SWEAR
I CAN’T GO ON!
- “THE HUNTER’S PLEA” (Hunter)
FLEE FOR YOUR VERY LIFE
MY POOR YOUNG PRINCESS
FLEE TO THE WOODS
NEVER COME BACK
- “WHEN A WOMAN WANTS” (Carmen, Rosa, Amelia)
Carmen
WHEN A WOMAN WANTS
A MAN OF HER VERY OWN
SHE BECOMES THE IMAGE OF A SIREN
SHE HOLDS IN HER HAND
AN APPLE FOR HIM TO EAT
A SIMPLE ACT WITH DIRE CONSEQUENCES
AND WHEN THE LIGHTS GO DOWN LOW
HE’LL TAKE A BITE AND THEN SHOW
HE IS IN HER ARMS WHEN HE HOLDS ON TO YOUR ROBE
AND WHEN YOU EXCHANGE A KISS IN HER PLACE
YOU WILL REMIND HIM WHEN HE LAYS BESIDE YOU
IT’S HER HAND THAT HE IS HOLDING
IT’S HER BACK THAT HE’S BEEN SCRATCHING
EVEN THOUGH YOUR BLOOD IS FLOWING
Rosa
TAKE THIS WOMAN FAR
AWAY FROM MY LITTLE GIRL
MAKE HER FIND HER FATE SO FAR FROM HERE
TAKE THIS WOMAN NOW
WITH ALL OF HER CARES AND FEARS
TO A PLACE THAT’S NOT SO VERY NEAR
AND MAY SHE FIND HER RELIEF
IN A HOLE IN THE GROUND
ON THE SIDEWALK, IN A SHELTER,
WHERE SHE LAYS DOWN
AND WHEN SHE AWAKES, AWAY FROM THIS PLACE,
MAKE HER AWARE OF HER SURROUNDINGS
SO PRINCE CHARMING SEES WHERE SHE’S BEEN SLEEPING
SHE WHO TRIED TO GET INSIDE HIM
MAY HER HAND BE ALL HE’S SEEKING
Amelia
FOR ME
Carmen
YOU’RE THE ONE WHO PUCKERS
BUT HER LIPS ARE THOSE HE’S KISSING FREELY
Amelia
FOR ME
Rosa
LET HER FORCE HERSELF ON OTHERS
ON THE STREET OR WHERE SHE’S KNEELING
Carmen and Rosa
YOU’RE THE ONE THAT HE IS HOLDING
BUT IT’S HER THAT HE’S BEEN FEELING
Amelia
FOR ME!
- “HERCULANO’S LULLABY” (Herculano)
SLEEP MY LITTLE BABE
YOUR DADDY CAME
SLEEP MY LITTLE LOVE
YOUR MOMMY’S GONE
- “HEIGH-HO” (Clara, Seven Young Men)
ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN DWARFS!
HEIGH-HO
HEIGH-HO AND NOW WE’RE GOING HOME
AND NOW WE’RE GOING HOME
12. “CARD DECK” (Amelia, Carmen)
Amelia
THE TOOTH OF A CAT
AND THE TAIL OF A RAT
AND THE WING OF AN OWL
STIR THEM ALL TOGETHER
Carmen
TOGETHER!
Amelia
THE TOOTH AND THE TAIL
AND THE SHELL OF A SNAIL
WITH A BUCKET AND PAIL
YOU MIX THEM ALL AT ONCE
Carmen
ALL AT ONCE!
Amelia
BOIL THEM ALL IN A POT
LIKE A SOUP IN A SHOP
IN A KETTLE SO BLACK
THEY’LL BE COMPLETELY MELTED
Carmen
MELTED!
Amelia
FILL THE TOP OF THE POT
THE MOST POWERFUL POT
YOU CAN FIND IN YOUR SHOP
BRING THEM ALL TO A BOIL
Carmen
ALL TO A BOIL!
CARD DECK
DEAREST OF CARD DECKS
TAROTS, SHOW ME THE WAY
SEEK, AND YOU SHALL FIND
COME, MAKE ME ALL POWERFUL
Amelia
THE TIME OF NO TIME
THE HOUR’S SO FINE
WHEN THE MOON’S GETTING READY TO SHINE
GATHER ‘ROUND THEM CLOSER
Carmen
CLOSER!
Amelia
THE DAY IS A SAD ONE
A DAY WITHOUT SUN
WE TAKE UP OUR SONG
THEN IT’S OVER AND DONE
Carmen
OVER AND DONE!
Amelia
THEN YOU WISH FOR A WISH
AND YOUR WISH WILL COME TRUE
IF IT’S ALL THAT YOU DO
A HUNDRED TIMES OVER
Carmen
A HUNDRED TIMES OVER!
Amelia
YOU VOW AND YOU SWEAR
AND IT ALL COMES YOUR WAY
‘TILL YOU SAY WHAT YOU SAY
A THOUSAND TIMES OR MORE
Carmen
A THOUSAND TIMES OR MORE!
CARD DECK
OPEN MY EYELIDS
HELP ME, SHOW ME THE WAY
SPEAK, GRANT ME A SIGN
SPEAK, DON’T MAKE ME WAIT ANYMORE
Carmen
ASK, AND YOU’LL RECEIVE
COMMAND, IT SHALL BE DONE
PLEASE, SHOW ME THE WAY
MY ONLY TASK IS TO OBEY!
AmeliaASK ME, AND I’LL RECEIVE
I SWEAR IT SHALL BE DONE
SAY IT’S NOT TOO LATE
MY ONLY TASK IS TO OBEY!
- “SCRUB THAT DIRTY STAIR” (Elvira, Madeleine, Amelia)
Elvira, Madeleine
SCRUB THAT DIRTY STAIR
TRA LA LA LA LA
CLEAN IT UP WITH SPIT AND POLISH
PRESS DOWN HARD, NOW TOSS THE RUBBISH
WAX THAT FILTHY FLOOR
TRA LA LA LA LA
MAKE IT SHINE AND DO IT SNAPPY
OR ODETTE WON’T BE SO HAPPY
WRETCHED WOMAN
USELESS VERMIN
LIFE OF EASE
JUST OUR LUCK
Amelia
YOUR FACE IS WITH ME HERE, MY DARLING
MY HEART IS IN YOUR HANDS
EACH PASSING HOUR
IT’S YOU THAT I SEEK
AND STILL I AWAIT,
MY TRUE LOVE
Elvira, Madeleine
GET DOWN ON YOUR KNEES
HEE HEE HEE HEE HEE
IT’S JUST SHAMEFUL, SO DISGUSTING
SUCH A LAZY GOOD-FOR-NOTHING
LOOK AT ALL THAT WASH
TRA LA LA LA LA
PICK THAT UP, IT’S NEVER-ENDING
HERE’S SOME MORE THAT NEED A MENDING
WRETCHED WOMAN
USELESS VERMIN
LIFE OF EASE
JUST OUR LUCK
Madeleine
HEAVY WOMAN
Elvira
BEAST OF BURDEN
Both
LIFE OF EASE
JUST OUR LUCK!!!
- “SEVEN CURSES” (Madeleine, Elvira, Carmen, Bianca, Seven Young Men)
BITE A PLUM PIT
CHEW A FISHBONE
FILL THOSE VEINS UP NOW
SPITTEL CHOKING
SPIRITS POKING
DRINK THAT POTION NOW
MALEDICTION
MALEFACTION
SUPERSTITION NOW
SPELL ALL-BINDING
STUPEFYING
BLINDLY CURSING SOW
TOXIC FOAM
ROUNDABOUT
OVERLOAD
CRY AND SHOUT
WRINKLES SPREADING
DISRESPECTING
EARTH IS QUAKING
SKIN IS SHEDDING
MILK TURNS SOUR
NOW’S THE HOUR
SPILL THAT BUTTER
DYING MOTHER
STIR THE CAULDRON
HEAT THE OVEN
HANDS IN FIRE NOW
IN THE GARDEN
BEASTS OF BURDEN
IN THE CUPBOARD NOW
MOLDY STORAGE
TRY THAT PORRIDGE
PLUCK A PULLET NOW
IN YOUR BEDROOM
ALL IS BEDLAM
WASH THOSE EYEBALLS,
WHERE AND HOW?
TRIM YOUR BODY
CUT TO RIBBONS
FEED YOUR PONY
APES AND GIBBONS
BORE A HOLE IN
ROOF AND CEILING
MAKE A HOME FOR
LICE AND WOMEN
SWEAR A CURSE AND
KILL YOUR FATHER
SHOW THE WEAPON
THEN AIM HIGHER
SEVEN CURSES
SEVEN WISHES
TAKE THEM BACK
THEN DO THE DISHES
- “THE LIGHT OF DAY” (Carmen)
THE LIGHT OF DAY
IS THERE, WAITING FOR YOU
THE MORNING GLOW,
THE SIDEWALK’S JUST FOR YOU
AND THERE’S
A SEA OUT THERE
WITH SEASHELLS
AND SAND OUT THERE
ALL OF RIO AWARE
A RED CARPET TO SHARE
CITY LIFE AT YOUR FEET
WAITING, HOPING THERE
AT YOUR BECK AND CALL
AT YOUR FEET!
- “IF THIS PATHWAY” (Bianca, Herculano)
Bianca
IF THIS PATHWAY
COULD UNLOCK MY HEART
I WOULD PAVE IT
WITH THE GEMS FROM MY PART
STONES, MOST PRECIOUS STONES THAT I HAVE LAID
FOR MY ESCAPE
Bianca
FROM THE SILENCE
WHERE HE LOCKED ME IN
FROM THE FENCES
WHERE HE KEPT ME BOUND
FROM THE DOORWAY
WHERE HE FORCED ME DOWN
EVERY DAY AND NIGHT
THIS IS MY HELLHOLE
THIS IS MY PENANCE
I WANT MORE
I NEED SO MUCH MORE…
IT’S SO COLD INSIDE ME
SO EMPTY INSIDE ME
A TIGER INSIDE ME
AND NOW I MUST LEAVE YOU
FOR US
FOR US
IF THIS PATHWAY
COULD UNLOCK MY HEART
I WOULD PAVE IT
WITH THE GEMS FROM MY PART
STONES, MOST PRECIOUS STONES
THAT I HAVE LAID
FOR MY ESCAPE
THERE ANCHORS MY VESSEL
THERE LIES A NEW FUTURE
I WANT MORE
I NEED MORE
OH, SO MUCH MORE
OUTSIDE A SWEET WINTER
OUTSIDE ENDLESS SUMMERS
A SUNSHINE INSIDE ME
AND NOW, I MUST LEAVE YOU
FOR US
FOR US
PATHWAY
PLEASE UNLOCK MY HEART
IF THIS PATHWAY…
HerculanoALL I HAVE IS YOURS
MY LOVE
MY LOVE
THIS IS OUR LOVENEST
THIS IS OUR DREAM HOUSE
STAY WITH ME HERE
WHERE IT’S OH, SO WARM
IT’S SO COLD OUTSIDE ME
SO UGLY OUTSIDE ME
A WOLF AT THE WINDOW
DO IT FOR ME
FOR US
FOR US
SAVE OUR LOVE TONIGHT
MY LOVE
MY LOVE
FAR FROM ANY STORM CLOUD
SAVE OUR LOVE TONIGHT
OUR LOVE
IS ALL
WE NEED
OUTSIDE THERE ARE OGRES
OUTSIDE STRIFE ETERNAL
OUTSIDE AN INFERNO
DO IT FOR ME
FOR US
FOR US
PATHWAY
DON’T TEAR OUR LOVE APART
IF THIS PATHWAY…
- “BEFORE I FORGET” (Amelia, Alvaro)
Amelia
BEFORE I FORGET MYSELF IN YOU, STAY
BEFORE I REMEMBER WHAT I DO, STAY
COME, STAY WITH ME HERE
DON’T LEAVE ME, I FEAR
BEFORE MY TEMPTATION TO SAY YES, STAY
BEFORE CONTEMPLATION TELLS ME LESS, STAY
STAY, I’VE BEEN AWAY
DON’T LEAD ME ASTRAY
STAY, TIME GOES BY FASTEST WHEN WE SAY:
STAY!
Alvaro
CLOCKS WITH ALL THEIR HANDS WILL STOP AND SAY: STAY
SHINGLES ON THE CEILING FALL AND SAY: STAY
SAY I FOUND YOU HERE
PRAY, NO ONE COMES NEAR
ALL THAT IS FORGOTTEN’S IN THE PAST
STAY
Both
FOREVER,
AND ALWAYS
TOGETHER,
STAY WITH ME
Amelia
STAY, MY NIGHTS ARE FADING OH SO FAST, STAY
Both
STAY, THE DOORS ARE CLOSING TO THE PAST, STAY
STAY, BEFORE THE SPRING
STAY, BEFORE THE THAW
BEFORE WE FORGET HOW MUCH WE SAY:
STAY
FOREVER
AND ALWAYS
Alvaro
LONGING
Amelia
SWEAR IT
Both
STAY!
- FINALE: “TIME AND AGAIN” (Entire Cast)
Madeleine, Elvira, Seven Young Men
TIME AND AGAIN
NIGHTTIME HAS COME
Seven Young Men
THE PATHWAY, PATHWAY, PATHWAY, PATHWAY
Madeleine
STAY WITH ME!
Elvira
HEY THERE!
WHAT’S IT TODAY?
Madeleine
WHO WILL CARESS ME?
Madeleine, Elvira, Seven Young Men
TIME AND AGAIN
WE’RE ALL THE SAME
Seven Young Men
THE STAIRWAY, STAIRWAY, STAIRWAY, STAIRWAY
Madeleine
STAY WITH ME, OH STAY
Elvira
MAKE OF ME
YOUR HEART’S DESIRE OR SOMETHING MORE
Madeleine
WITH ME THE LIGHTS ARE BURNING BRIGHTER
Elvira
WITH ME THE FLAMES STAY LOW
Both
NEAR TO YOUR CHAMBER
A CUP ON THE FLOOR
AND STILL I AWAIT
All
MY TRUE LOVE
Seven Young Men
TIME AND AGAIN
NIGHTTIME HAS COME
Bianca
THE PATHWAY, PATHWAY, PATHWAY, PATHWAY…
Madeleine
STAY WITH ME!
Elvira
ANYONE
OR NO ONE
Madeleine
WHO WILL CARESS ME?
Seven Young Men
TIME AND AGAIN
WE’RE ALL THE SAME
THE STAIRWAY, STAIRWAY, STAIRWAY, STAIRWAY…
Madeleine
STAY WITH ME, OH STAY
Elvira
MAKE OF ME
YOUR CRUEL HEAVEN OR YOUR HELL!
Elvira, Madeleine, Seven Young Men
AT NIGHT MY PRINCE IS WAITING FOR ME
HIS FATE IS IN MY HANDS
Carmen, Odette, Rosa
INSIDE OUR SOULS WHERE
IT’S WARM AND IT’S COLD
All
AND STILL I AWAIT
MY TRUE LOVE
Curtain
End of Act One
(To be continued…)
Copyright © 2015 by Josmar F. Lopes
