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Ghost Quartet

by Ghost Quartet

supported by
Mackenzie
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Mackenzie Dave Malloy makes such beautiful music and each song in this album has such a unique sound. Favorite track: Tango Dancer.
A
A thumbnail
A Ghost Quartet makes me feel infinite. It makes me feel like I have all the answers, or at least a few of them. It is life-altering. Favorite track: The Wind & Rain.
akhrosimova
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akhrosimova i love this album because it fucking SLAPS, thanks dave Favorite track: Bad Men.
H. W.
H. W. thumbnail
H. W. Ghost Quartet is the most intertwined piece of music you will find, short of the old Baroque masters - note that in this case, the tapestry is hung equally between language and music. Favorite track: The Wind & Rain.
E.Y. Washington
E.Y. Washington thumbnail
E.Y. Washington Your work is as priceless as it is intricate. Thank you :) Favorite track: Starchild.
Barbara Ellis
Barbara Ellis thumbnail
Barbara Ellis Great performance at The McKittrick Hotel. Great memories of a special time by having the music to play and replay!
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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    A song cycle about love, death, and whiskey.
    A camera breaks and four friends drink in an interwoven tale spanning seven centuries, with a murderous sister, a treehouse astronomer, a bear, a subway, and the ghost of Thelonious Monk.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    A CD of the album, with cover art by Margaret Ashford-Trotter and a chipboard card case designed by Brittain Ashford.

    Sorry, no international shipping.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Ghost Quartet via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 10 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $15 USD or more 

     

  • Sheet Music

    A complete 141-page score of all the text and music in the show. Score is lead sheet style, with full vocal arrangements, and other melodic lines written out and (see attached images!)

    This is a slightly revised second edition (2017).

    Individual sheet music PDFs also available here:
    bluewizardmusic.myshopify.com

    Sorry, no international shipping.
    ships out within 10 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $50 USD or more 

     

1.
I Don't Know 03:03
I DON’T KNOW ______________ [DAVE] This is Ghost Quartet. Side 1, Track 1. “I Don’t Know.” [ALL] NOW I DON’T KNOW BUT I’VE BEEN TOLD AND THAT’S TRUE OF EVERYTHING I THINK I KNOW EVERYTHING I THINK THAT I DON’T KNOW BUT I’VE BEEN TOLD YES I’VE BEEN TOLD [GELSEY] I DON’T EVEN KNOW HOW TO BEGIN [BRITTAIN] I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHO I AM I’M NOT HERE [BOTH] NO ONE IS HERE [BRITTAIN] I STAY AWAKE MOST EVERY NIGHT WAITING FOR A GLIMPSE TO APPEAR [BOTH] WHERE’S MY GHOST IN THE MIRROR I WANT ONE TOO [ALL] I’VE GOT A THOUSAND ONE STORIES EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM’S A LIE LET ME READ YOU A STORY LET ME READ YOU A ROMANCE I WILL READ, YOU WILL LISTEN AND THIS TERRIBLE NIGHT WILL PASS WHEN I WAS A CHILD I USED TO PLAY PLAY WITH ALL THE VOICES IN MY HEAD LONG LONG AGO THAT’S NOT ME ANYMORE NOW I RIDE THE SUBWAY EVERY NIGHT STARING AT THE GAME ON MY PHONE KEEP MY HEAD DOWN I’M ALL ALONE [DAVE & BRENT] I DON’T KNOW IF THIS ME AT ALL OR JUST SOME GHOST OF ME THAT I DREAMED UP JUST TO SING MYSELF TO SLEEP [BRITTAIN] OR SOMEONE THAT I USED TO BE OR SOMEONE THAT I WILL BE OR SOMEONE THAT I AM RIGHT NOW [ALL] OR SOMEONE THAT I USED TO BE OR SOMEONE THAT I WILL BE OR SOMEONE THAT I AM RIGHT NOW OR SOMEONE THAT I USED TO BE OR SOMEONE THAT I WILL BE OR SOMEONE THAT I AM RIGHT NOW ____________________________________
2.
THE CAMERA SHOP ___________________ [BRENT] Side 1, Track 2. “The Camera Shop.” [BRITTAIN (Rose)] Excuse me? [GELSEY (Pearl)] Can I help you? [BRITTAIN] I hope so. I lost my camera. [GELSEY] Did someone steal it? BRITTAIN] No. It got smashed. [GELSEY] Maybe we can repair it? [BRITTAIN] It got smashed and lost. The pieces are lost. [GELSEY] I’m sorry. Here, have some whiskey. [BRITTAIN] Thank you. [GELSEY] It was a real camera? Not a phone? [BRITTAIN] Not a phone. I do not like phones. [GELSEY] Me neither Well, we’ll get you all set up with a new camera. But sit first, and drink a bit. You need to take care of yourself. [BRITTAIN] Thank you. (pause) [GELSEY] Are you traveling? [BRITTAIN] Yes, from Portland. [GELSEY] Oh, I’ve been there once. They have that cool library. [BRITTAIN] That’s Seattle. [GELSEY] Oh. I get them mixed up. (pause) Did you grow up there? [BRITTAIN] Yes, when I was a kid. [GELSEY] That’s nice. It’s nice to have roots. [BRITTAIN] What about you, have you been here long? [GELSEY] THIS STORE HAS BEEN IN MY FAMILY FOR FOUR GENERATIONS [BRITTAIN] Wow. [GELSEY] SEE THAT FIDDLE ON THE WALL? IT BELONGED TO MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER HER NAME WAS ROSE [BRITTAIN] Well, that’s my name! [GELSEY] It’s a beautiful name. OLD-FASHIONED, YOU DON’T HEAR IT A LOT ANYMORE [BRITTAIN] THE COLOR IS SO LIGHT…WHAT’S IT MADE OF? [GELSEY] AN OLD BREASTBONE [BRITTAIN] CREEPY [GELSEY] IT WAS THE BREASTBONE OF HER SISTER HER NAME WAS PEARL I’LL TELL YOU THE STORY: _________ [GELSEY (Pearl White)] ROSE AND PEARL LIVED BY THE SEA GATHERING SALT BY THE MOONLIGHT [GELSEY & BRITTAIN (Pearl White & Rose Red)] AND ROSE LOVED A MAN WHO LIVED IN THE TREES ROSE CRIED TO PEARL, “HOLD ME TIGHT, HOLD ME TIGHT” [GELSEY] ROSE WENT TO HIS TREEHOUSE AND LOOKED AT THE STARS THROUGH HIS TELESCOPE [GELSEY & BRITTAIN] SHE WANTED TO HOLD HIS HAND SO SHE WROTE HIM A POEM SIGNED IT AND SEALED IT [GELSEY] IN A RICE PAPER ENVELOPE [BRITTAIN] WITH A LILY FOR A STAMP [GELSEY] BUT THE MAN STOLE HER WORK HE WAS THE EDITOR OF A PRESTIGIOUS ASTRONOMY JOURNAL HE WROTE DOWN ALL SHE SAW AND PUBLISHED IT IN HIS NAME AND ROSE GREW TO HATE HIM AND THEN PEARL CAUGHT HIS EYE _________ [BRITTAIN (Rose)] I’M A LITTLE CONFUSED AND MORE THAN A LITTLE FRIGHTENED [GELSEY (Pearl)] IT’S OK MY DEAR THIS IS A CIRCULAR STORY _________ [GELSEY (Pearl White)] AND SO ROSE RAN INTO THE FOREST AND ASKED A GREAT BEAR TO MAUL THE ASTRONOMER AND TO TURN THE CRUEL SISTER INTO A BLACK CROW AND PUT THE CROW AND THE CORPSE IN A CAVE UNTIL THE CROW STARTED TO STARVE AND SHE’D HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PECK OUT THE EYES OF HER LOVER AND EAT THEM _________ [BRITTAIN (Rose)] I DON’T BELIEVE ANY OF THIS [GELSEY (Pearl)] DON’T YOU REMEMBER? THE BEAR NAMED HIS PRICE: _________ [BRENT (Bear)] ONE POT OF HONEY ONE PIECE OF STARDUST ONE SECRET BAPTISM AND A PHOTO OF A GHOST [ALL] ONE POT OF HONEY ONE PIECE OF STARDUST ONE SECRET BAPTISM AND A PHOTO OF A GHOST [GELSEY] ROSE STOLE THE HONEY FROM A SOLDIER [GELSEY & BRITTAIN (Pearl White & Rose Red)] SHE PRETENDED TO LOVE [GELSEY] STOLE THE STARDUST FROM AN ANCIENT [GELSEY & BRITTAIN] SHE PRETENDED TO CARE [GELSEY] AND FOR THE BAPTISM SHE STOLE A BABY FROM ITS MOTHER A FRIGHTENED TEENAGER IN A MANSION [GELSEY & BRITTAIN] AND TOOK THE CHILD INTO THE SEA AND THE CHILD WAS BLESSED ____________________________________
3.
Starchild 02:32
STARCHILD ___________ [GELSEY] Side 1, Track 3. “Starchild.” [BRITTAIN (Starchild)] WHEN I WAS A BABY I WAS BLESSED BY A STRANGER IN WATERS I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND AND NOW I’M INFECTED WITH DISBELIEF AND BLASPHEMY I’LL NEVER HAVE A HOLY LAND I AM GHOST IN THE EYES OF MY GOD BUT I WILL TRANSCEND AND VOMIT THIS LOSER OUT OF ME I WILL BECOME THE NEXT BIG THING [ALL] I WILL LIGHT MYSELF ON FIRE [BRITTAIN] IT’S TIME TO GET OUT OF BED AND BE THE STARCHILD I CAN BE A BILLION LIGHT YEARS AWAY SOMEONE’S THINKING THE SAME THING BUT HE’S ALREADY TURNED TO DUST AND THE STARLIGHT I SEE IS A BILLION LIGHT YEARS OLD A GHOST JUST LIKE THE REST OF US NOTHING I SEE IS THERE ANYMORE [ALL] BUT I WILL TRANSCEND AND VOMIT THIS LOSER OUT OF ME I WILL BECOME THE NEXT BIG THING I WILL LIGHT MYSELF ON FIRE [BRITTAIN] IT’S TIME TO GET OUT OF BED AND BE THE STARCHILD I CAN BE ____________________________________
4.
Subway 02:21
SUBWAY ________ [BRITTAIN] Side 1, Track 4. “Subway.” [DAVE, BRITTAIN, GELSEY & BRENT (Driver, Photographer, Pearl & Pusher)] THERE’S A DRIVER THERE’S A VICTIM THERE’S A PUSHER THERE’S A PHOTOGRAPHER THERE’S A DRIVER THERE’S A VICTIM THERE’S A PUSHER THERE’S A PHOTOGRAPHER [DAVE & BRENT] THE DRIVER ZONES OUT THE VICTIM PLAYS A GAME THE PUSHER SCREAMS OUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER DOESN’T HELP [ALL] THE DRIVER ZONES OUT THE VICTIM PLAYS A GAME THE PUSHER SCREAMS OUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER DOESN’T HELP [GELSEY] AND THE GAME IS ON MY PHONE IN THE GAME I’M A SOLDIER IN THE GAME THERE’S A BEAR IN THE GAME THE BEAR ROARS [BRITTAIN] SHE SELECTS THE SWORD [ALL] SHE SELECTS THE SWORD AND THE PUSHER GIVES A PUSH [DAVE] AND THE DRIVER CAN’T STOP AND THE VICTIM CAN’T CLIMB AND THE PUSHER CAN’T STOP AND THE PHOTOGRAPHER DOESN’T HELP [ALL] AND THE DRIVER CAN’T STOP AND THE VICTIM CAN’T CLIMB AND THE PUSHER CAN’T STOP AND THE PHOTOGRAPHER DOESN’T HELP... AND THE DRIVER HAS A DRINK AND THE VICTIM HAS A DRINK AND THE PUSHER HAS A DRINK AND THE PHOTOGRAPHER HAS A DRINK [GELSEY & BRITTAIN] THERE’S A MAN ON THE PLATFORM SCREAMING ABOUT THE APOCALYPSE SCREAMING ABOUT THE DAY OF REVELATION IS AT HAND [ALL] REVEAL IT TO ME REVEAL ME EVERYTHING REVEAL IT TO ME PLEASE RIGHT NOW REVEAL IT TO ME PLEASE RIGHT NOW REVEAL IT TO ME PLEASE RIGHT NOW ____________________________________
5.
USHER, PART 1 ________ [BRENT] Side 1, Track 5. “Usher, Part One.” [GELSEY (Lady Usher)] I suffer from a family evil I am a slave to terror I have a morbid acuteness of the senses I only eat the most insipid foods Only wear garments of certain textures The odors of flowers are oppressive to me My eyes are tortured by faint light And there are only certain peculiar sounds Like those from stringed instruments Which do not inspire me with horror I dread the future My little girl is dying [DAVE (Edgar)] ON A DULL, DARK, AND SOUNDLESS DAY IN THE AUTUMN OF 1873 MY WIFE AND I SAT AT THE BED OF OUR ONLY DAUGHTER ROXIE [DAVE & GELSEY] THE BLEAK WALLS THE DECAYING TREES THE UTTER DEPRESSION OF THE SOUL THE BITTER GHOST OF EVERYDAY LIFE THE ICY SINKING OF THE HEART FOR SEVENTEEN YEARS OUR ROXIE HAD DANCED [DAVE] SO BEAUTIFUL [GELSEY] DANCED ON THE EDGE OF A STAR [DAVE & GELSEY] BUT NOW, FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF HER OWN CHILD A SICKNESS HAD TAKEN OVER [GELSEY] HER CHILD WAS STOLEN AND SHE BLAMES HERSELF SHE IS WASTING AWAY HER LIQUID EYES HER THIN LIPS HER PALE SKIN [DAVE & GELSEY] HER SPIDER WEB HAIR FLOATING IN FRONT OF HER FACE [BRITTAIN (Roxie)] LITTLE GIRL, LITTLE GIRL WHERE’S MY LITTLE GIRL WHERE’S MY STARCHILD? [DAVE] THE FATHER WAS LONG GONE AN ASTRONOMER OF SOME RENOWN [BRITTAIN] WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME? WHY DID YOU DISAPPEAR? [GELSEY] I BURY MY FACE IN MY HANDS [DAVE] ASTONISHMENT AND DREAD IN THE HOUSE OF USHER ____________________________________
6.
SOLDIER & ROSE ________________ [DAVE] Side 1, Track 6. “Soldier & Rose.” [GELSEY (Soldier)] I AM A SOLDIER AND AS A SOLDIER I’VE GOTTEN USED TO DEATH GHOSTS DON’T BOTHER ME ANYMORE I KNOW I’VE GOT MINE COMING SO SOME MOANING IN THE NIGHT ISN’T ANY BIG THING [BRITTAIN (Rose Red)] COME HERE SOLDIER LOOK ME IN THE EYES IF I TOLD YOU I LOVED YOU WOULD YOU GIVE ME SOME HONEY? [GELSEY] I’VE GOT MINE COMING IT’S JUST A MATTER OF TIME [BRITTAIN] COME HERE SOLDIER SIT DOWN IN MY LAP IF I TOLD YOU WHEN I SAW YOU I FELT A LITTLE SHOCK AND THAT ALL THE STARS AND MOONS AND SKIES AND BIRDS AND TREES AND SHARKS AND SEAS AND EVEN I BEGAN TO CRY AND TREMBLE [DAVE & BRENT] TREMBLE [BRITTAIN & GELSEY] AND MY HEART LEAPS IN MY THROAT I FEEL ELECTRIC PULSES IN MY FINGERTIPS [DAVE & BRENT] TREMBLE [BRITTAIN] COME HERE SOLDIER LET ME SUCK YOUR THUMB IF I TOLD YOU THIS IS SPECIAL AND LOVE IS MORE THAN CHEMICALS THAT IT’S ME AND YOU AND ANGELS TOO AND TIME WILL END AND WE’LL TRANSCEND AND RISE ABOVE THE ASH AND DIRT AND BABY I COULD NEVER HURT YOU CUZ YOU ARE ME [DAVE & BRENT] TREMBLE [BRITTAIN] WOULD YOU BELIEVE ME? DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE? DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE? [GELSEY] I AM A SOLDIER I DON’T BELIEVE IN ANYTHING BUT IF YOU’RE GONNA STEAL MY HONEY PLEASE WAIT UNTIL I’M DRUNK THEN TAKE ME ONTO THE DANCE FLOOR AND LET ME CRY AGAINST YOUR CHEEK THEN TAKE ME OUT BACK AND SHOOT ME IN THE ALLEY I WON’T SPEAK I WON’T SAY A WORD I WON’T COME BACK TO HAUNT YOU I WON’T HAVE THE TIME ____________________________________
7.
ANY KIND OF DEAD PERSON ___________________________ [BRITTAIN] Side 1, Track 7. “Any Kind of Dead Person.” [DAVE] IF YOU COULD BE A BIRD WHAT KIND OF BIRD WOULD YOU BE? [BRITTAIN] A ROBIN [GELSEY] IF YOU COULD BE A CAT WHAT KIND OF CAT WOULD YOU BE? [BRITTAIN] A LION [BRENT] AND IF YOU COULD BE A PART OF BREAKFAST WHAT PART OF BREAKFAST WOULD YOU BE? [BRITTAIN] THE PIECE OF TOAST [DAVE] AND IF YOU COULD BE A DEAD GUY WHAT KIND OF DEAD GUY WOULD YOU BE? [BRITTAIN] I’D BE A GHOST DON’T WANNA BE A ZOMBIE CUZ ZOMBIES ARE JUST GOOD FUN DON’T WANNA BE A VAMPIRE CUZ THEY CAN’T FEEL THE SUN DON’T WANNA BE A MEDICAL CORPSE THE STUDENTS WOULD CUT ME WRONG NO I JUST WANNA BE A GHOST AND GO WOOOOO ALL NIGHT LONG DON’T WANNA BE A GHOUL CUZ I RESPECT MYSELF DON’T WANNA BE SOME ASHES IN A COFFEE CAN ON THE SHELF DON’T WANNA BE A WRAITH I COULD NEVER BE THAT STRONG NO I JUST WANNA BE A GHOST AND GO WOOOOO ALL NIGHT LONG DON’T WANNA BE A POLTERGEIST CUZ I’M NO MOVIE STAR DON’T WANNA BE A LICH I’M NOT EVEN SURE WHAT THEY ARE DON’T WANNA BE JUST A BRAIN IN A JAR IN A LAB IN SOUTH HONG KONG NO I JUST WANNA BE A GHOST AND GO WOOOOO ALL NIGHT LONG DON’T WANNA BE A SPOOK CUZ THAT WORD’S A LITTLE RACIST DON’T WANNA BE A MUMMY I ADMIT IT, I’M AN AGEIST DON’T WANNA BE A WHITE WALKER THAT’S SOME OTHER FELLOW’S SONG NO I JUST WANNA BE A GHOST AND GO WOOOOO ALL NIGHT LONG YEAH I JUST WANNA BE A GHOST [ALL] SHE JUST WANTS TO BE A GHOST [BRITTAIN] YEAH I JUST WANNA BE A GHOST [ALL] SHE JUST WANTS TO BE A GHOST [BRITTAIN] YEAH I JUST WANNA BE A GHOST AND GO WOOOOO ALL NIGHT LONG ____________________________________
8.
THE ASTRONOMER __________________ [DAVE] This is Side 2. Track 1, “The Astronomer.” [DAVE (Astronomer)] I AM NOT A PRIEST AND I AM NOT A MONK AND I DON’T GO TO CHURCH MUCH BUT WHEN I DO I STAND AND I SING LOUD [ALL] I SING LOUD [DAVE] I AM THE ASTRONOMER AND WHEN I LOOK THROUGH MY TELESCOPE I AM CERTAIN OF THE UNIVERSE I AM FILLED WITH WONDER FROM THE STARS AND I NEVER SAW ANYTHING I COULDN’T BLAME ON MY MIND SO I DON’T BELIEVE IN GHOSTS BUT I LIKE TO SING BUT I LIKE TO SING AND WHEN I HEAR THE CALL TO PRAYER BUZZING THROUGH THE SPEAKERS OF THE MOSQUES THERE’S A SHOCK, THERE’S A STILLNESS AS THE MELODIES TWIST AND ZAP AND THE AIR IS FILLED WITH DIAMONDS AND I WISH THAT I COULD SING LIKE THAT BUT I DON’T PRACTICE ENOUGH [ALL] PRACTICE PRACTICE [DAVE] NO I DON’T PRACTICE ENOUGH [ALL] PRACTICE PRACTICE [DAVE] I’M CONFOUNDED BY MUSIC AND BABIES AND LAUGHTER AND STORIES AND GOODNESS INFINITY AND LUCK I’M CONFUSED BY THE NOTION THAT SOMEBODY LOVES ME AND DRUGS MAKE ME CRAZY AND A CLAIRVOYANT TOLD ME ONCE I’VE GOT AN OLD SOUL OH LORD I WISH I COULD SING LIKE THAT BUT I DON’T PRACTICE ENOUGH [ALL] PRACTICE PRACTICE [DAVE] NO I DON’T PRACTICE ENOUGH [ALL] PRACTICE PRACTICE [DAVE] THERE’S A MAN IN IRAN WHO SAYS HE TALKS TO GHOSTS AND THE WAY THAT HE DOES IT IS HE HASN’T SPOKE TO ANYONE ALIVE IN 42 YEARS HE TURNS HIS MIND OFF EVERY DAY AND STARES AT THE WALL AND HE IS ONE WITH THE UNIVERSE AND HE SAYS THAT EVERY SOUL THAT EVER DIED IS LIVING IN THE SHADOWS OF THE SKY BUT IF THAT’S THE EXPERIMENT IF THAT’S WHAT A SCIENTIST WOULD HAVE TO DO IF THAT’S HOW LONG IT TAKES I’M AFRAID I JUST HAVEN’T GOT THE TIME SO I’LL GO HOME POUR SOME WHISKEY AND I’LL SIGH AND WHEN IT’S TIME TO GO TO BED I’LL KEEP THE NIGHTLIGHT ON [ALL] PRACTICE PRACTICE ____________________________________ FAMILY MEETING _________________ [BRENT] Side 2, Track 2. [DAVE (Edgar)] Roxie? Roxie honey, can you come in here a minute? [BRITTAIN (Roxie)] I don’t wanna. [DAVE] Roxie, it’s family meeting. [BRENT] “Family Meeting.” [GELSEY (Lady Usher)] Family meeting. [BRITTAIN] I’m playing. [BRENT (Fool)] I was just gonna go see the falconer… [DAVE] No, it’s family meeting. [GELSEY] We can all play later. Put away your toys… [BRENT] But the falconer is only in town til the end of Festival! [DAVE] It can wait son, we can take the carriage into town when we’re done! Roxie honey, we wanted to talk to you a bit. [BRITTAIN] 'Bout what? [DAVE] Well, about Rose. [BRITTAIN] Rose? [BRENT] If this is just about Rose can I go? [DAVE] We could really use you’re support here kiddo. [BRITTAIN] What about Rose? [DAVE] Roxie honey, how old are you now? [BRITTAIN] Seven. [DAVE] Seven! Hey, that’s pretty old! You’re getting to be a real big girl. [BRITTAIN] Yeah, guess so. [DAVE] Remember last spring when we put a bunch of your old toys and books away, in the Northern wing? [BRITTAIN] Yeah… [DAVE] Well don’t you think that maybe it’s time to kind of, put Rose away too? [BRITTAIN] No! [BRENT] None of us have ever even seen her, so— [DAVE] Look Roxie, it’s fine to have an imagination…I mean I used to play when I was little, and I had friends in my head, sure. This is a big house, I know it gets lonely. But we’re afraid that Rose may be holding you back from playing with the other kids. [BRITTAIN] That’s not nice! [GELSEY] Roxie, it’s time to grow up. [BRITTAIN] Oh, get over yourself Mom! [BRENT] Oooooo... [DAVE] Roxie! [BRITTAIN] Look, I know who she is. She told me, Rose told me. [DAVE] Roxie… [BRITTAIN] She’s my sister, she died when I was a baby, blah blah blah. And now she’s lonely and wants me to “cross over.” And maybe that’d be sad for you, but maybe it’d be great for me. She says all the adults over there wish they had died when they were little too, cuz it’s so much better over there than all this crap, and all this crap with getting old, and disease, and war, and torture, and butchers, and having to be alone with your stupid mind all the time? She says that over there they don’t have computers or any of that shit and everyone’s mind is just fine. They just hang out in nature all the time, only it’s better cuz it’s perfect nature, with no bugs or humidity or anything. And no, Brent, it’s not so perfect it’s boring, they figured that out too, so there are grey days and rain and stuff, but it’s fine, cuz everyone likes to be a little sad some of the time, and watch the rain on the windowsills... Cuz they're all soul. They are all soul. Did you know Rose is a Starchild? That's right, she's a freaking Starchild! So I’m sorry if this is like, sad for you, but you're gonna be dead in like, 30 years, and even less if you two keep drinking like— [GELSEY/DAVE] Roxie! [BRITTAIN] —and when you meet me over there you’ll see, and you’ll think God, that 30 years of being all sad was just stupid, but who cares anymore, because now it's just an eternity of soul! And swimming! And fruit! So why don't you just shut up! Why don’t you, just have another fucking drink, and shut the fuck up! ____________________________________
9.
Four Friends 05:08
FOUR FRIENDS _______________ [DAVE] Side 2, Track 3. “Four Friends.” [ALL] OH EVAN WILLIAMS YOU DIRTY-FACED, SCRUFFY-KNEED BOY [BRENT] WHEN I WAS POOR AND LONELY I’D PUT YOU IN A JELLY JAR PUT YOU IN THE POCKET OF MY OLD TRENCH COAT AND SNEAK YOU INTO THE BAR NOW I GOT PLENTY OF MONEY BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN I DON’T LOVE YOU WHEN THE ENDTIMES FALL AND THE ZOMBIES CRAWL I‘M GONNA DRINK YOU OUT OF MY SHOE [ALL] I LIKE TO LOSE MY MIND GET BLURRY SLOPPY BOOZY AND BLIND LIKE TO PUT MY HAND ON A PRETTY GIRL’S KNEE AND I GOT FOUR DEAR FRIENDS TO HELP ME OH JAMESON YOU DIGNIFIED, RIGHTEOUS YOUNG MAN [BRITTAIN] I DON’T CARE MUCH FOR GOD NO MATTER WHAT SET OF RULES YOU GOT PROTESTANT THIS AND-A CATHOLIC THAT TO ME IT’S JUST DIDDLY-SQUAT BUT I LOVE A GOOD REBELLION AND I LOVE TO HEAR A FIDDLE SLIDE SO WHEN THE REBELS CROON ‘BOUT THAT RISING MOON I’M STANDING RIGHT HERE ON JAMIE’S SIDE [ALL] I LIKE TO LOSE MY MIND GET BLURRY SLOPPY BOOZY AND BLIND LIKE TO PUT MY HAND ON A PRETTY GIRL’S KNEE AND I GOT FOUR DEAR FRIENDS TO HELP ME OH, MAKER’S MARK YOU SWEET LITTLE TEMPTRESS YOU [DAVE] I REMEMBER YOU AND MY DADDY SITTING IN THE EASY CHAIR HE’D RIP OPEN YOUR WAX AND POUR A FINGER OR TWO AND THEN HE'D SIT IN THE DARK AND JUST STARE I KNOW THAT HE WAS THINKIN’ ‘BOUT SOMETHING MAYBE SOMETHING SAD FROM LONG AGO BUT WHEN HE’D TUCK ME IN, WITH THAT SAD LITTLE GRIN I’D THINK MAYBE I DON’T WANNA KNOW [ALL] I LIKE TO LOSE MY MIND GET BLURRY SLOPPY BOOZY AND BLIND LIKE TO PUT MY HAND ON A PRETTY GIRL’S KNEE [BRITTAIN & GELSEY] PRETTY BOY’S KNEE [ALL] AND I GOT FOUR DEAR FRIENDS TO HELP ME OH, LAGAVULIN YOU LOVELY LADY OF THE LOCHS [GELSEY] THERE’S A FOREST BURNING SOMEWHERE AND THE MOON IS RED AS BLOOD BUT THEN I LOOK IN YOUR EYES AND THE FAIRIES COME AND I’M SQUISHING MY TOES IN THE MUD I’M DANCING ON THE STONES OF THE ORACLE I’M KISSING IN THE WATERFALL I’M UNDER YOUR SPELL, IN A WISHING WELL I’M LOST AND I DON’T CARE AT ALL [ALL] I LIKE TO LOSE MY MIND GET BLURRY SLOPPY BOOZY AND BLIND I LIKE TO PUT MY HAND ON A PRETTY GIRL’S KNEE [DAVE & BRENT] PRETTY BOY’S KNEE [ALL] AND I GOT FOUR DEAR FRIENDS TO HELP ME FOUR DEAR FRIENDS TO HELP ME FOUR DEAR FRIENDS TO HELP ME ____________________________________
10.
FATHERS & SONS _________________ [GELSEY] Side 2, Track 4. “Fathers & Sons.” [DAVE & BRENT (Edgar & Fool)] LET ME DRINK TONIGHT DON’T BOTHER ME YOU ALL CAN GO AWAY AND JUST THE BOTTLE CAN STAY LA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA I’M NEVER REALLY HAPPY AND I’M NEVER REALLY SAD BUT I’M A PRETTY BAD LOVER AND I’D PROBABLY BE A DEADBEAT DAD [DAVE] MY SON MY SON GET AWAY FROM ME STRIKE OUT ON YOUR OWN PACK YOUR BAGS UP AND FLEE AND NEVER LOOK BACK AT YOUR ROTTEN POP DRINKING IN THE BATHROOM OF AN ICE CREAM SHOP [BRENT (Fool/Pusher)] MY DAD MY DAD I’M OUTTA HERE I’LL FINISH MY DRINK AND THEN I’LL DISAPPEAR I'M GONNA PLAY CELLO IN A ROCK’N’ROLL BAND MAKE MONEY ON THE SIDE FROM MY HEROIN STAND AND IF ANYONE PUSHES ME I’M GONNA PUSH THEM BACK AND IF ANYONE PUSHES ME I’M GONNA PUSH THEM BACK [DAVE & BRENT] LA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA LA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA [BRITTAIN & GELSEY (Rose & Pearl)] THERE’S A MAN ON THE PLATFORM SCREAMING ABOUT THE APOCALYPSE SCREAMING ABOUT THE DAY OF REVELATION THE DAY OF REVELATION IS AT HAND REVEAL IT TO ME REVEAL ME EVERYTHING REVEAL IT TO ME PLEASE RIGHT NOW [DAVE & BRENT] I’M NEVER REALLY HAPPY AND I’M NEVER REALLY SAD BUT I’M A PRETTY BAD LOVER AND I’D PROBABLY BE A DEADBEAT DAD ____________________________________
11.
USHER, PART 2 ________ [BRENT] Side 2, Track 5. “Usher, Part 2.” [DAVE (Edgar)] AS ROXIE LAY DYING IN HER BEDROOM MY WIFE SANG AND OUR SON PLAYED HIS GUITAR WILD IMPROVISATIONS DIRGES AND WALTZES FEVERED RHAPSODIES [GELSEY & BRENT (Lady Usher & Fool)] THE STONES ARE ALIVE THE STONES ARE ALIVE THE DECAYING TREES THE MOSS ON THE WALL THE MOSS ON THE WALL THE CONDENSATION ON THE WINDOW IT IS ALL ALIVE ALL ALIVE [ALL] THE DRIVER CAN’T STOP THE GHOST IS HERE THE DRIVER CAN’T STOP THE GHOST IS HERE THE DRIVER CAN’T STOP DRIVER CAN’T STOP THE GHOST IS HERE DRIVER CAN’T STOP DRIVER CAN’T STOP THE GHOST IS HERE [BRITTAIN (Roxie)] WHERE IS MY BROTHER? [BRENT] I’m right here. [BRITTAIN] WHERE IS MY SISTER? [GELSEY] You don’t have a sister. [BRITTAIN] WHERE IS MY LITTLE GIRL? [DAVE] SHE’S GONE [BRITTAIN] SHE’S GONE [DAVE] AND WITH THAT, ROXIE DIED [DAVE & GELSEY] AND WE LOOKED UPON THE FACE OF OUR LITTLE GIRL [BRITTAIN] THE MOCKERY OF A FAINT BLUSH THE SUSPICIOUSLY LINGERING SMILE UPON THE LIP SO TERRIBLE IN DEATH [GELSEY] O ROXIE WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DIE I FORGIVE YOU O ROXIE O ROXIE O ROSE I SHALL PRESERVE HER CORPSE A FORTNIGHT IN THE VAULT UNDERNEATH OUR BEDROOM ____________________________________
12.
THE TELESCOPE ________________ [BRITTAIN] Side 2, Track 6. “The Telescope.” [DAVE (Astronomer)] LOOK INTO MY TELESCOPE TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE [BRITTAIN (Rose Red)] I SEE A RED STAR [DAVE] ANTARES A RED HYPERGIANT STAR 4900 LIGHT YEARS AWAY AND A BILLION TIMES LARGER THAN OUR SUN [BRITTAIN] I SEE FIRE IN THE DARKNESS RAGE AGAINST THE VOID I SEE EVERYTIME MAN CRIED OUT AND RAISED HIS SWORD AGAINST GOD [DAVE] THAT’S GOOD, THAT’S GOOD NOW LOOK INTO MY TELESCOPE TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE [BRITTAIN] I SEE A BLUE STAR [DAVE] GROOMBRIDGE 1830 ALSO KNOWN AS ARGELANDER’S STAR A CLASS G8 SUBDWARF MEMBER OF THE GALACTIC HALO [BRITTAIN] I SEE MOTHERS WEEPING IN CHAIRS CLUTCHING THEIR SHAWLS IN THE MORNING [BRITTAIN & GELSEY] EVERYTHING IS LOST ALL IS GONE [BRITTAIN] AND SHE TRIES TO FIND THE JOY IN LIFE BUT SHE IS WASTING AWAY [DAVE & BRITTAIN] I LOVE THE WAY YOU SEE THE WORLD I LOVE THE WAY YOUR SOUL SINGS I WISH THAT I COULD SING LIKE YOU I WISH THAT I COULD FEEL THINGS [BRITTAIN] NEVER TAKE THE STARS AWAY FROM ME [DAVE] LOOK INTO MY TELESCOPE TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE [BRITTAIN] I SEE I SEE TWO STARS [DAVE] YES SIGMA ORIONIS AB A BINARY STAR TWO STARS LOST IN TIME [BRITTAIN & GELSEY] TWO WOMEN IN THE FOREST IN THE EVENING IN A LIGHT RAIN THE OLDER HAS NO EXPRESSION ON HER FACE THE YOUNGER HANGS HER HEAD DOWN THE YOUNGER IS IN LOVE WAS IN LOVE IS IN LOVE WAS IN LOVE [DAVE & BRITTAIN] BUT THE LOVER IS IN LOVE WITH THE OLDER NOT THE YOUNGER BUT THE LOVER IS IN LOVE WITH THE OLDER NOT THE YOUNGER [DAVE & GELSEY] I LOVE THE WAY YOU SEE THE WORLD I LOVE THE WAY YOUR SOUL SINGS I WISH THAT I COULD SING LIKE YOU I WISH THAT I COULD FEEL THINGS [GELSEY] NEVER TAKE THE STARS AWAY FROM ME ____________________________________
13.
Tango Dancer 04:46
TANGO DANCER ________________ [DAVE] Side 2, Track 7. “Tango Dancer.” [BRITTAIN (Rose Red)] Excuse me? [GELSEY (Scheherazade)] Can I help you? [BRITTAIN] I hope so. Are you…ancient? [GELSEY] That’s not polite, child. [BRITTAIN] I’m sorry—you know, you know what I mean. [GELSEY] Yes, child. And yes, I am. Do I know you? You remind me of my sister. [BRITTAIN] No, I’m from far away. My name is Rose. Rose Red. [GELSEY] My sister's name was Dunyazad. [BRITTAIN] It’s a beautiful name. I know her, from the stories. [GELSEY] She’s been dead a long time now. What do you need? [BRITTAIN] Um, Stardust? Just one piece. [GELSEY] Hm. I don’t know if I have any left. 1001 is a pretty big number. [BRITTAIN] I always figured you could have gone on forever. [GELSEY] Nope. Not forever. I HAVE A LOT OF MEMORIES AND I HAVE A LOT OF SADNESS BUT THE TWO DON’T LINE UP THE TWO DON’T LINE UP I USED TO RUN THRU THE SAND CAMPFIRE STARS IN THE DISTANCE AND I’D GAZE INTO THE DARKNESS AND WONDER ABOUT THE VOID AND I’M HAUNTED BY THAT MEMORY OF WHO I USED TO BE SO GLEEFUL SO BLANK SO READY I WAS EMPTY THEN AND I’M EMPTY NOW BUT IT’S NOT THE SAME AT ALL MY HEAD WAS WITH FILLED STORIES OF SWIMMING AND SINGING ON THE MOON AND I’D STAY UP ALL NIGHT LONG I’D STAY UP ALL NIGHT LONG AND ALL OF THE BOYS WOULD FALL OVER OH HOW DAZZLING I COULD BE BUT THE MAGIC IS GONE ALL MY JOY GOT BLOATED AND SICK AND I’M HAUNTED BY THOSE MEMORIES OF WHO I USED TO BE SO GLEEFUL SO BLANK SO READY LAST NIGHT I DREAMED I MET MYSELF AT A TANGO ALL THE DANCERS WERE RUTHLESS AND DERANGED AND I ASKED MY YOUNGER SELF FOR A DANCE JUST LIKE (She dances a bit, then stops) BUT MYSELF DIDN’T HAVE TIME FOR ME DIDN’T HAVE TIME FOR ANYONE SO USED UP SO SHE DANCED ALONE AND I SAT IN A CHAIR BY THE WALL ALL ALONE STARING AT MY PHONE [ALL] I WAS EMPTY THEN AND I’M EMPTY NOW BUT IT’S NOT THE SAME AT ALL ____________________________________ MONK ______ [BRENT] Side 2, Track 8. “Monk.” (Dave plays “Ruby, My Dear.”) [BRITTAIN (Dunyazad)] But Scheherazade, how did Rose Red steal the Starchild from Roxie? I mean surely Lady Usher had a security system? Were they outside, in a park? [GELSEY (Scheherazade)] Yes, they were outside. In a park. [BRITTAIN] Oh. Oh, of course. You tell such wonderful stories Scheherazade. [GELSEY] Thank you Dunyazad. (Shouted to Brent) I sure hope the Shah thinks so! (Brent grunts.) I’m glad you’re here. It's good to be with you. [BRITTAIN] Yeah. (They listen for a bit.) Hey, what’s behind that door? [GELSEY] David thinks Monk. [BRITTAIN] A monk? Like you? [GELSEY] Ha. No, no not like me. Monk. Thelonious Monk. He thinks that the ghost of Thelonious Monk is living behind that door, this hidden door in the 14th century Persian palace of Shah Zaman. David serenades him every night with music from that piano. And it’s the last piano in the world, and its keys cut his fingers with every note he plays, because the Gods have decreed that humans don’t deserve music anymore, because they think we don’t treat it holy enough. And every sound gives him migraine thickness, blinding pressure, bamboo shoots in the fingernail. Yet, listen. He plays Thelonious Monk’s music every night in the hope that Monk’s ghost will awaken from his slumber, open the door and forgive him, and grant him a smile, a kiss, and a meaning for all of his pain. [BRITTAIN] Oh. [GELSEY] Will you dance with me? [BRITTAIN] Okay. (They dance.) [GELSEY] Do you remember a time when we weren’t just sisters? Do you remember anything else? [BRITTAIN] No, not yet. But…I’m getting there. ____________________________________
14.
Lights Out 01:32
LIGHTS OUT ____________ [DAVE] This is Side 3. Track 1, “Lights Out.” (The lights go out.) [BRITTAIN (Roxie)] MOMMY? MOMMY WILL YOU READ ME A STORY? [GELSEY (Lady Usher)] ROXIE ROXIE HONEY YOU’VE GOT TO GO TO SLEEP [BRITTAIN] BUT I CAN’T IT’S NOT DARK ENOUGH THERE’S TOO MANY LITTLE LIGHTS LITTLE MOONS LITTLE CANDLES LITTLE SNOWFLAKES LITTLE GLOWS LITTLE BITS OF STARDUST [GELSEY] HUSH NOW ROXIE HONEY THOSE ARE LITTLE MAGIC LIGHTS IS ALL EACH LITTLE MAGIC LIGHT IS A LITTLE MAGIC STORY [GELSEY & BRITTAIN] LITTLE MOONS LITTLE CANDLES LITTLE SNOWFLAKES LITTLE GLOWS LITTLE BITS OF STARDUST [BRITTAIN] It’s better when you tell it Mom. Did your mom ever tell you stories? [GELSEY] My mom wasn’t very nice. [BRITTAIN] Oh. I’m sorry Mom. JUST ONE STORY? [GELSEY] ALL RIGHT ARABIAN NIGHTS? [BRITTAIN] YEAH [GELSEY] ALL RIGHT This is Side 3, Track 2. “The Photograph.” ____________________________________
15.
THE PHOTOGRAPH __________________ [CHORUS (Dave & Brent)] HOW DID ROSE LOSE HER CAMERA? [GELSEY (Pearl)] SHE THREW IT TO THE GROUND DISGUSTED BY WHAT SHE HAD DONE [CHORUS] WHAT HAD SHE DONE? [GELSEY] SHE HAD TAKEN A PHOTOGRAPH OF SOMETHING INAPPROPRIATE OR RATHER, A PHOTOGRAPH AT AN INAPPROPRIATE TIME OR RATHER, A PHOTOGRAPH INSTEAD OF BEING A HERO [CHORUS] WHAT WAS THE PHOTOGRAPH OF? [GELSEY] A GHOST OR RATHER A GHOST [CHORUS] DOES THE GHOST HAUNT HER? [GELSEY] SHE SEES HER EYES WHEN SHE CLOSES HER EYES HER EYES LOOKING BACK AT HER HER EYES UNDERNEATH HER EYELIDS SHE IS ALWAYS SCREAMING [GELSEY & BRITTAIN] SCREAMING [CHORUS] HAS ANYONE ELSE EVER SCREAMED? [GELSEY] HER DAUGHTER HER SISTER HER MOTHER HER LOVER ROSE [ALL] ROSE [CHORUS] DOES ROSE BELIEVE IN GHOSTS? [GELSEY] ROSE BELIEVES IN THE RESTORATIVE PROPERTIES OF THE OCEAN IN THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARING MEALS AND NEVER DRINKING COFFEE ON THE GO SHE BELIEVES IN THE STANDARD MODEL OF LOVE IN WHICH THE TWO LOVERS ARE BONDED INTO SOMETHING GREATER THAN THEMSELVES SHE BELIEVES IN THE OVERSOUL THAT ALL LIVING THINGS IN THE UNIVERSE ARE PART OF A SINGLE CONSCIOUSNESS SHE BELIEVES IN FRESHLY WASHED LINENS AND FLOWERS ON THE TABLE AND BUYING USED BOOKS FULL OF MARGINALIA [GELSEY & BRITTAIN] SHE BELIEVES IN SOUL [CHORUS] HOW DID HER BELIEF SYSTEM BREAK DOWN WITH THE APPEARANCE OF THE GHOST? [GELSEY] SOFTLY, WITHOUT TRAUMA IN A SERIES OF IMPERCEPTIBLE SHIFTS [CHORUS] HOW MANY PEOPLE HAS ROSE BEEN? [GELSEY] ROSE IS THE SAME AS ANYONE ELSE ____________________________________
16.
Bad Men 04:04
BAD MEN _________ [BRENT] Side 3, Track 3. “Bad Men.” [BRITTAIN (Dunyazad)] Scheherazade was ending the story for the night: [GELSEY (Scheherazade)] “AND SO ROSE LEFT THE SHOP WITH A BRAND NEW CAMERA AND THE NUMBER OF THE SUBWAY DRIVER WRITTEN ON HER ARM” BUT NOW THE SUN IS RISING AND THAT IS ALL I AM PERMITTED TO SAY Do you like my story, Shah Zaman? [BRENT (Shah Zaman)] It is a marvelous tale! [BRITTAIN] WHAT A GOOD, SWEET STORY IT IS! YOU ARE A REAL SCHEHERAZADE [GELSEY] HOW CAN THIS COMPARE TO THE STORY I SHALL TELL YOU TOMORROW NIGHT IF THE SHAH SPARES ME AND I AM STILL ALIVE? [BRENT] When I kill you, I will miss you. [GELSEY] How will you grieve for me, O Shah? [BRENT] I WILL COMMAND A GREAT FEAST FOR THE KINGDOM WITH THE LARGEST BOAR THAT THE COURT HAS EVER SEEN AND GREAT OAKEN CASKS FULL OF HONEY SWEET WINE AND WE’LL TOAST TO THE COULD-HAVE-BEEN QUEEN AND WHEN THE FEAST IS IN FULL SWING AND THE BUTTERFLY JESTERS ARE DANCING I WILL TAKE THE LARGEST CASK BACK TO MY ROOM AND I'LL DRINK ALL ALONE IN MY ROOM AND I'LL CRY LIKE A BABY AND I’LL DRINK SO MUCH I’LL GET SICK AND I’LL LIE ON THE BATHROOM FLOOR AND I’LL DRINK SOME MORE AND I’LL KEEP DRINKING FOR FORTY-TWO YEARS AN OLD OLD MAN ALL ALONE IN HIS CHAIR WATCHING GAME SHOWS MAKING FUN OF THE CONTESTANTS FOR THEIR STUPID ANSWERS AND THEIR WASTED LIVES [BRITTAIN & GELSEY] A WASTED SACK OF A MAN AN EMPTY BROWN PAPER BAG SOGGY AND GROSS [BRENT] IF YOU CAN LOSE YOUR TEMPER THEN I CAN LOSE MY MIND IF YOU CAN LOSE YOUR TEMPER THEN I CAN LOSE MY MIND [ALL] IF YOU CAN LOSE YOUR TEMPER THEN I CAN LOSE MY MIND IF YOU CAN LOSE YOUR TEMPER THEN I CAN LOSE MY MIND [DAVE] COME LOOK AT THE STARS DEAR PEARL COME LOOK AT THE STARS DEAR PEARL [BRITTAIN (Rose Red)] How could you. Sister, how could you? [GELSEY (Pearl White)] He likes my singing. He likes my singing, that’s all. [DAVE] Wait, wait, Rose Red, we were never— We never— [BRITTAIN] I always knew you were shallow I always knew you didn’t know me I always knew you didn’t believe in me I always knew that I bored you I always knew I wasn’t pretty enough to hold you I always knew you’d go with someone smarter than me I always knew your mind was elsewhere I always knew you were a snob I always knew you had your head in the stars I always knew you and your books You and your fucking books I am not a puzzle I'm not some fucking logic puzzle for you to figure out I am not a fucking game Why don’t you just go fuck your books? Why don’t you just go fuck all your fucking books? And we’ll see who’s smarter We’ll see [BRENT (Bear)] Do you have the things I asked for? One Pot of Honey One Piece of Stardust One Secret Baptism And a Photo of a Ghost? [BRITTAIN] HELLO THERE BEAR I HAVE THE THINGS YOU ASKED I HAD TO GO THROUGH SEVERAL LIFETIMES TO GET THEM AND NOW I’M IN YOUR CAVE IN MY SEXY RED CLOAK [BRENT] I KNOW LITTLE GIRL AND NOW I’M GONNA EAT YOU UP EAT YOU UP EAT YOU UP LIKE BERRIES [BRITTAIN] BUT WILL YOU DO WHAT I ASKED? MAUL THE ASTRONOMER TURN MY SISTER INTO A CROW? [BRENT] I AM NOT A MURDERER OR A CRAZY PERSON I JUST LIKE HONEY [GELSEY & DAVE] HE JUST LIKES HONEY [BRENT] YOU’LL JUST HAVE TO DO IT YOURSELF! NOW GO AWAY LITTLE GIRL [BRITTAIN] I HATE YOU [ALL] THE DRIVER CAN’T STOP THE GHOST IS HERE THE DRIVER CAN’T STOP THE GHOST IS HERE Side 3, Track 4. “Usher, Part 3” 2-3-4... ____________________________________
17.
USHER, PART 3 _______________ [DAVE (Edgar)] DAYS AND NIGHTS OF BITTER GRIEF OUR SON HAD FLED TO NEW YORK CITY WITH HIS CELLO THE LADY AND I SLEPT IN SEPARATE CHAMBERS AS ROXIE LAY DEAD IN THE VAULT BENEATH US [BRITTAIN (Roxie)] THE DEAD CAN SING SLEEP WILL NOT COME THERE IS A STORM TONIGHT THERE IS A STORM TONIGHT THE DEAD CAN SING [DAVE] I GASPED AND STRUGGLED AND BOLTED UPRIGHT IN MY BED THE TERRIBLE WIND THE SONG OF THE DEAD THE STORM THE STORM MY WIFE RAPPED AT THE DOOR [GELSEY (Lady Usher)] CAN YOU HEAR HER? THROW OPEN THE WINDOWS LET THE STORM IN WE DON’T NEED MOONS OR STARS OR GOD WE HAVE THE WIND THE TERRIBLE WIND [DAVE] MY WIFE’S MADNESS HAD GROWN TO EPIC PROPORTIONS THE ONLY THINGS THAT SOOTHED HER WERE FICTIONS STORIES FROM OUR VAST LIBRARY LET ME READ YOU A STORY LET ME READ YOU A ROMANCE I WILL READ, YOU WILL LISTEN AND THIS TERRIBLE NIGHT WILL PASS [ALL] LET ME READ YOU A STORY LET ME READ YOU A ROMANCE I WILL READ, YOU WILL LISTEN AND THIS TERRIBLE NIGHT WILL PASS [DAVE] I OPENED THE BOOK READ THE TITLE Book Seven, Chapter Ten: The Tale of Pearl and the Pusher, and the Subway Driver, and the Photograph. [DAVE & BRENT] PEARL STOOD ON THE PLATFORM PLAYING A GAME ON HER PHONE TRYING TO BEAT THE BOSS AT THE END OF THE LEVEL AND THERE’S A MAN ON THE PLATFORM SCREAMING ABOUT THE APOCALYPSE [BRITTAIN & GELSEY] AND BEHIND HER UNDER THE RAVING SHE HEARD THE ECHO OF A FOOTSTEP [DAVE] AND BENEATH ME UNDER THE RAVING I HEARD A FOOTSTEP IN THE HOUSE [BRITTAIN & GELSEY] IN THE GAME ON THE PLATFORM [DAVE & BRENT] PEARL STOOD ON THE PLATFORM PLAYING A GAME ON HER PHONE TRYING TO BEAT THE BOSS AT THE END OF THE LEVEL AND THE BOSS WAS A BEAR A GRAET BIG BEAR [BRITTAIN & GELSEY] HOW WILL YOU DEFEAT HIM? [DAVE & BRENT] PEARL WENT TO THE OPTION MENU SELECTED THE SILVER SWORD [BRITTAIN & GELSEY] AND THERE’S A MAN ON THE PLATFORM SCREAMING ABOUT THE TRAIN COMING [DAVE & BRENT] PEARL RAISED THE SILVER SWORD STRUCK THE BEAR ON ITS SIDE AND THE BEAR SHRIEKED [BRITTAIN & GELSEY] AND THE BEAR SHRIEKED [BRITTAIN] A SHRIEK SO HARSH AND HORRID AND PIERCING [DAVE & GELSEY] AND BENEATH ME UNDER THE RAVING I HEARD A SHRIEKING MY LITTLE GIRL [ALL] THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED BEFORE [DAVE] DEEP WITHIN THE HOUSE OF USHER I HEARD A FLASHBULB RIP AND THE DEAD STOOD IN THE DOORWAY ROXIE [BRITTAIN] THERE IS BLOOD UPON MY ROBES [DAVE] AND THE DEAD GIRL LEAPT UPON HER MOTHER AND HER SISTER AND HER DAUGHTER AND HER LOVER WITH THE RAGE OF FOUR GENERATIONS AND LADY USHER’S HEART BURST EXPLODED WITHIN HER CHEST [DAVE & BRENT] PEARL STOOD ON THE PLATFORM BATTLING THE BEAR THE BEAR BREATHED FIRE THE BEAR HAD ACID IN HIS HONEYPOT [BRITTAIN & GELSEY] AND THE TRAIN WAS COMING AND THE TRAIN WAS COMING AND THE TRAIN WAS COMING AND THE TRAIN WAS COMING… [DAVE & BRENT] AND THE MAN ON THE PLATFORM SCREAMING ABOUT THE APOCALYPSE THE MAN WE KNOW AS THE PUSHER TOOK A LAST DRINK STEELED HIMSELF GOT BEHIND PEARL AND HE GOT BEHIND PEARL [BRENT (Pusher)] AND THE PUSHER COULDN’T HELP HIMSELF [ALL] AND THE PUSHER PUSHED PEARL ONTO THE SUBWAY TRACK [GELSEY (Pearl)] PUSHED ME INTO THE PATH OF THE SCREAMING TRAIN I fell onto the track And everything slowed down All the color got a little grey (Do you hear it? Do you hear it? Her footstep is on the stair) I saw the train Howling toward me Its light was dazzling Blinding I tried to climb out For just a moment But then I stopped I stopped and listened to the train (The heavy and horrible beating of her heart She shrieks I tell you she is outside the door! We have put her living in the tomb!) And then I looked up on the platform And saw Rose Back from the dead Standing there with her camera I lifted my head And smiled Smiled for the camera You know that moment right before you die Is such a gift Because you get to choose what goes through your head What your last song will be I thought of someone I love very much Smiling in bed Clutching a teddy bear And then I let the train rip through me ____________________________________
18.
Prayer 01:54
PRAYER ________ (During this song, the lights slowly fade up.) [ALL] I WILL TRY TO FORGIVE MYSELF FOR LIVING IN THE DARK FOR MY LOSS OF WONDER FOR FORGETTING HOW TO PLAY I WILL TRY TO FORGIVE MYSELF FOR BEING ABSENT IN PUBLIC AND BORED BEFORE STARS FOR NOT REMEMBERING FOR NOT BEING IN MY BODY FOR NOT STARTING RIGHT NOW I WILL TRY TO SEE MYSELF AS I AM ____________________________________
19.
Hero 06:54
HERO ______ [DAVE] Side 4. Track 1. “Hero.” [BRITTAIN (Rose)] GUESS I MESSED UP GUESS I MADE A BAD CALL BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I COULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENT ONE LITTLE CHOICE ONE SMALL ACTION ONE COINCIDENCE OF THOUGHT AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT I WANT TO DANCE I WANT TO GAZE AT THE STARS I WANT TO TAKE A PICTURE AT THE END OF THE WORLD I NEVER THOUGHT THAT THINGS REALLY DIE NOT IN REAL LIFE, IN REAL LIFE THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS GHOSTS I AM NOT A HERO I AM NOT A MOVIE STAR I AM NOT A GENIUS, I KNOW I AM NOT A MONK I’M NOT SPECIAL I’M THE SAME AS ANYONE ELSE YOU AND I WE WERE ALWAYS A MESS DRINKING OUR BOURBON SCREAMING IN THE STREETS WHEN I SAW YOU COMING ICE AND RAGE IN YOUR EYES I PUT ON MY ARMOR AND MY SHIELD AND RAISED UP MY SWORD I AM NOT A HERO I AM NOT A MOVIE STAR I AM NOT A GENIUS, I KNOW I AM NOT A MONK I’M NOT SPECIAL I’M THE SAME AS YOU AND YOU YOU WERE THERE TOO YOU DROVE THAT TRAIN RIGHT THROUGH MY HEART AND YOU YOU WERE THERE TOO YOU DROVE THAT TRAIN RIGHT THROUGH MY HEART BUT I GUESS IT’S TIME TO PUT THAT TO BED I GUESS IT’S TIME TO LET THE DEAD BE DEAD ____________________________________
20.
MIDNIGHT __________ [GELSEY] Side 4, Track 2. “Midnight.” (Dave plays “’Round Midnight.”) [GELSEY (Pearl)] So David, Why didn’t Monk just go to heaven? Why would he still be hanging around here? [DAVE (Driver)] Um. Well maybe he lost his way. Or didn’t know he was dead? Soul wasn’t at peace, Had unfinished work to do, Wanted to watch over someone... I mean there’s all sorts of reasons. [GELSEY] (to Brittain) Are you remembering now? Coming back to you? [BRITTAIN (Rose)] I think so. Who all am I? [GELSEY] Oh Rose. You’re my sister, And you’re my lover, And you’re my child, And you’re my best friend. And, And Rose don’t you recognize me? It’s me, It’s me, it’s me, your little girl. I’m your little girl. [DAVE] Or, maybe there just isn’t a heaven. I mean actually that’s pretty likely, so… [BRITTAIN] (to Dave) Do you remember when we used to go up in your treehouse? Look at the stars through your telescope? [DAVE] I don’t actually think that that’s happened yet. [BRITTAIN] Dance with me? [DAVE] Okay. (Brent takes over the tune. They dance.) [BRITTAIN] Do you ever think about kids? [DAVE] Uh— Uh, I don’t know. I mean, I guess in the abstract, yeah, but— I don’t really make a lot, down at the MTA, so... What about photography, does that pay pretty well, or...? (They keep dancing.) [GELSEY] They had kids you know. Sisters. [BRENT (Brent)] Weird. (Brent plays for a bit.) [GELSEY] That’s really pretty. You’re a really good cello player Brent. [BRENT] Thanks. I practice a lot. ____________________________________ THE WIND & RAIN ____________ [BRITTAIN] Side 4, Track 3. “The Wind & Rain.” [GELSEY] THERE WERE TWO SISTERS WHO LIVED BY THE SEA OH, THE WIND AND RAIN AND THE YOUNGER ONE LOVED A MAN IN THE TREES OH, THE DREADFUL WIND AND RAIN [GELSEY & BRITTAIN] BUT THE MAN BROKE HER HEART LIKE HE DIDN’T CARE OH, THE WIND AND RAIN THE SISTER RAN HER FINGERS THROUGH HIS HAIR OH, THE DREADFUL WIND AND RAIN SO THE YOUNGER GOT DRUNK ON WHISKEY AND WINE OH, THE WIND AND RAIN SCREAMED HIS NAME AND IT ECHOED THROUGH THE PINES OH, THE DREADFUL WIND AND RAIN AND SHE PUSHED HER SISTER IN THE RIVER TO DROWN OH, THE WIND AND RAIN WATCHED HER COLDLY AS SHE FLOATED DOWN OH, THE DREADFUL WIND AND RAIN [ALL] AND SHE FLOATED TILL SHE CAME TO THE MILLER’S POND OH, THE WIND AND RAIN DEAD ON THE WATER LIKE A GOLDEN SWAN OH, THE DREADFUL WIND AND RAIN AND THE MILLER PULLED HER OUT WITH A RUSTY FISHING HOOK OH, THE WIND AND RAIN DREW THAT FAIR MAID FROM THE COLD COLD BROOK, CRYIN’ OH, THE DREADFUL WIND AND RAIN AND HE LEFT HER BONES ON THE BANKS TO DRY OH, THE WIND AND RAIN LEFT HER BONES THERE RIGHT UNDER THE SKY, CRYIN’ OH, THE DREADFUL WIND AND RAIN AND ALONG THE ROAD CAME A FIDDLER FAIR OH, THE WIND AND RAIN FOUND HER BONES JUST A LYING THERE, CRYIN' OH, THE DREADFUL WIND AND RAIN AND HE MADE A LITTLE FIDDLE OF HER BREAST BONE OH, THE WIND AND RAIN MADE A LITTLE FIDDLE OF HER BREAST BONE, CRYIN’ OH, THE DREADFUL WIND AND RAIN AND HE STRUNG HIS FIDDLE BOW WITH HER LONG BROWN HAIR OH, THE WIND AND RAIN STRUNG HIS FIDDLE BOW WITH HER LONG BROWN HAIR, CRYIN’ OH, THE DREADFUL WIND AND RAIN [GELSEY & BRITTAIN] BUT THE ONLY TUNE THAT THE FIDDLE WOULD PLAY WAS OH, THE WIND AND RAIN THE ONLY TUNE THAT THE FIDDLE WOULD PLAY WAS OH, THE DREADFUL WIND AND RAIN

about

credits

released October 31, 2014

Ghost Quartet is
Brent Arnold (vocals, cello, guitar, erhu, dulcimer, percussion)
Brittain Ashford (vocals, autoharp, keyboard, percussion)
Gelsey Bell (vocals, metallophone, Celtic harp, accordion, percussion)
Dave Malloy (vocals, piano, keyboard, ukulele, percussion)

Music and Lyrics by Dave Malloy
except:
“The Wind & Rain” (trad./additional lyrics by Dave Malloy)
“Usher, Parts 1-3” includes text from "The Fall of The House of Usher" text by Edgar Allan Poe

Developed and Arranged by Ghost Quartet
Copyright 2014 Blue Wizard Music/ASCAP

Recorded at the Bushwick Starr, October 2014
Produced by Brent Arnold and Dave Malloy
Mastering by Ithaca
Cover Illustration by Margaret Ashford-Trotter
Packaging Design by Brittain Ashford
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A theater piece based on this music, Ghost Quartet, premiered at The Bushwick Starr in Brooklyn, NY, on October 8, 2014.

Directed by Annie Tippe
Production & Lighting Design by Christopher Bowser
Dramaturgy by James Harrison Monaco

Special Thanks to The Bushwick Starr, Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor, Ambrym Smith, Anna Crouch, Christine Pardos, Laura Cornachio, and the original not-a-loser-but-a-real-human-being, Eliza Bent.

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Ghost Quartet is indebted to numerous sources of inspiration, including Arabian Nights, Matsukaze (a Japanese Noh drama), Grimms’ Fairy Tales, Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher”, James Joyce's Ulysses, Rosemary Timperley's "Harry," Thelonious Monk’s “Ruby My Dear,” “Epistrophy,” and “’Round Midnight,” The Twilight Zone (particularly “The After Hours” and “In His Image”), 2001: A Space Odyssey, David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, Cosmos (both the Sagan and Tyson versions), Stephen King’s Dark Tower series, The Legend of Zelda and Castlevania, Neil Gaiman's Sandman, Bill Willingham’s Fables, Ken Wilbur’s A Brief History of Everything, Tina Satter’s Seagull (Thinking of You), Frozen, and R. Umar Abbasi’s NY Post photo. “The Wind & Rain” is an English murder ballad, dating back to at least the 17th century; it is presented here with some textual alterations.
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Sheet music available here:
bluewizardmusic.myshopify.com

And more from the ghosts:
www.brentarnoldmusic.com
www.prairieempire.org (Brittain)
www.gelseybell.com
www.davemalloy.com

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Dave Malloy New York

Theater composer, writer, performer. Shows include Moby-Dick; Octet; Ghost Quartet; Preludes; Black Wizard / Blue Wizard; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812; All Hands; Three Pianos; Beardo; Beowulf - A Thousand Years of Baggage; The Sewers; Sandwich; Clown Bible; and (The 99-cent) Miss Saigon. ... more

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