Songs
ABIGAIL
THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS
OVERTURE
PURITAN VILLAGE #3 THE PUTNAM PLAN Thomas Putnam To minister a new Salem Village So leave the cotton fields and let it be sealed Leave your mercantile and please come with me Thomas Putnam & Constable Please Sir, there’s no time Samuel Parris It sounds like a nice offer Reminds me of my days at Harvard Seems like the perfect time to take a look inside myself Well off, my family must become the spirit will shine on me I’ll leave Barbados and come to preach I’ll make your enemies place of worship disappear Thomas Putnam As minister there’s a few things required Speak against the Porter Clan and minister the Puritan doctrine You’ll see the timber, the highest wage and the deed to the parsonage Thomas Putnam & Constable They will follow you and obey Samuel Parris The village will repent their sin or be the example for all to see Our New Jerusalem will rise above this Devil’s land And Heaven will shine down upon the chosen ones #4 CHURCH OF ENGLAND Abigail Williams Now I’m alone in this new world I have been taken to live with my Aunt How can I call this home? In my new life I will cook and clean And serve my Aunt that is ill I will learn from slave Tituba How can I call this home? My days will be filled with laughter and dance Tituba’s teaching me the craft Laughter has filled the morning stars When will they call me home? My nights are only with the minister Laughter and dance is forbidden To break a rule meant no food at all How can I call this home? Chorus Abigail Williams & Betty Parris The New Jerusalem don’t seem like the old one In my old home I danced around my parent’s love Now I can only dance in shameful isolation Minister Parris says I’m not family A burden to his wallet I am a servant here
#5 FORBIDDEN SPELL I’ve discovered something Forbidden spell I’ve learned Fertility will protect The new moon will Find us LOVE On an egg whose shell is brown or pink Sign these signs in green grass ink Bury deep in an earth filled pot Let it stand where the sun is hot Sow on the surface seeds of grass Water them well while nine weeks pass Gather the crop behind it with thread Let it hang always above your bed Chorus Betty Parris, Abigail Williams, Tituba & Ann Putnam Jr. One Two Visions Coming To You Three Four Put The Bowl On The Floor Five Six Crack The Egg And Mix Seven Eight Watch The Water And The Egg Nine Ten What Does It Say? #6 MID WIFE WITCH Who is that a knocking? Who’s a knocking at my door? Rebecca what is wrong? Why you standing in the cold? Rebecca Nurse Abigail come quickly We need not waste any time Ann Sr. is in labor She’s in pain and she is crying Ann Jr. In this house of servants Ann Sr. You speak when spoken to Ann Jr. No eye contact Ann Sr. Lower your head Ann Jr. Just let them look at you Rebecca Nurse Pay no attention to Annie’s wicked tongue Bring the warm towels to the bed I can see the baby Tituba hold up its head……. Tituba “THE BABY IS DEAD” Ann Sr. You killed my child, you’re a witch Ann Jr. You’re wicked to the core Ann Sr. Use your powers to bring my baby back I won’t put another child in the ground… Rebecca Nurse Abigail take the child, take him to the field Ann stay with your mother, she is in pain and needs to heal Tituba go with Abigail, now everyone pray with me… Spoken Are father who art in Heaven hallowed be thy name If Gods people refuse to do the Lord’s bidding
Goodman Parris I’ve asked you here today
I’ll make it worth your while
Adhere to the Putnam clan’s desires
We will get you on your way
Our village will become the new whipping post for the unfaithful
My sadness fills my body
Betty Parris
Abigail Williams
# 7 FIRE AND BRIMSTONE
Samuel Parris
All that are here please take your seat, Church service will now begin
Today’s sermon will be on Fire and Brimstone
They will feel his wrath and not
Not his embrace
Samuel Parris & the Council
I am your elected minister
Samuel Parris
Some in Salem Village are not abiding by our Lord’s wishes
Samuel Parris& the Council
My wage has not been paid in full, nor has my wood supply
Samuel Parris
And there are now several villagers not attending my church service
Israel Porter
The Putnam Clan placed you into the minister’s position
They also illegally deeded you parsonage to the land
Most of the village doesn’t want to give you wood or money
Let alone attend one of your wrathful sermons
The Council
Thomas Putnam, Ann Putnam Sr. & the Constable
We are the council who voted in Samuel Parris
It is by law that you pay your dues to the minister
If this issue is not resolved by the end of the day
We’ll have the sheriff go house to house for collection
Giles Cory
I hope all the wood you’ve stolen from my home
Burns at a quick pace, not to warm your body’s cold
I refuse to cooperate, I wouldn’t tell you anything at all
But behind cold bars there’s no one to attend my crops
Samuel Parris
Those who deceive another community member
Will not be welcome at the Gates of Heaven
They will be invited to Hell with no chance of getting out
If you are a person in this position, pray for redemption
Samuel Parris & the Council
Repent thy sins and practice God’s true will
Including debts unpaid
Paying them in full
Hand over your timber
Join the Sunday mass
The Sabbath will save your soul
#8 TELL ME THE FUTURE
Sunday afternoon we dance in the field
Now the rye and herbs are covered in blood
A secret place where all nature is real
The slaves are free with purity and love
Sunday afternoon we gossip and sing
Rather play than work
Dream of a boy that will take me away
Take me away from the hurting
Chorus
Tell me the future
I wanna know
Tell me the future
Cause I don’t know!
Abigail Williams
Sunday afternoon we meet Tituba
Abigail Williams & Betty Parris
She’ll teach us spells and magic of the earth
Abigail Williams, Betty Parris & Mary Warren
We dance and play we are free from the world
Abigail Williams, Betty Parris & Mary Warren
The secrets we’ve learned are a blessing to us all
Abigail Williams
Sunday afternoon there’s no Sunday mass
Abigail Williams & Betty Parris
No church no guilty thoughts from their God
Abigail Williams, Betty Parris & Mary Warren
We are free with the knowledge of the earth
Abigail Williams, Betty Parris & Mary Warren
Four elements give us power of good…
Chorus
Abigail Williams, Betty Parris, Mary Warren & Tituba
Tell me the future
I wanna know
Tell me the future
Cause I don’t know!”
<Guitar solo>
Tell me the future
I wanna know
Tell me the future
Cause I don’t know!”
I don’t know
#9 ABIGAIL AND THE GODS
Tituba
You shouldn't know this much
All that you learned and touched
With one piece of bread
It could change your head
The feelings are starting to grow
I think your starting to know
Living your simple life
Growing up to become someone’s wife
Servant or slave
Well that’s not for you
This talk about Jesus Christ
Do you really know why he died?
Made up by men like them
Selfish reasons and lies
Abigail Williams
I’m living this simple life
Growing up to be someone’s wife
Servant or slave
Well that’s a not for me
I don’t care about Jesus Christ
Don’t really care why he died
Made up by men like you
Selfish reasons and lies. #10 BETTYS ILLNESS
Abigail Williams Noises and sounds I hear as the sun came out I opened my eyes to see my cousin on the floor Flopping here and flopping there Her body moved into unseen contortions Betty Parris We need to beg for forgiveness now For using the Devil’s fortune telling tools If we don’t repent then we will go to hell We have no solution, we have no time We saw the image of the coffin at the reading Our feelings changed that day in the woods It means someone’s going to die We should tell my father before it’s too late Abigail Williams We can’t tell your father or he’ll beat us red Stop worrying about the God and what’s been put in your head The Arowak Indians have many gods That will protect us from these iron men We could go to them if God desserts us Live in peace and harmony Dancing and singing till dark Just like in the woods with Tituba Samuel Parris What ails you girls, what is wrong? I put my hands on you and pray Pray for your illness to end We’ll fast together and pray from the good book Betty Parris & Abigail Williams God is dead, God is dead I have several new Gods who will forgive The coffin showed that someone will die Maybe I can learn how to fly #11 THE EVIL HAND
Samuel Parris I asked for your help my daughter and niece are very ill Whatever they have seen is spreading amongst our young Both my girls are sick with uncontrollable violent spells The Devil has entered my home Dr. William Griggs What is this before me, my God it’s worse than I thought The Devil has taken over these poor children’s lives Rebecca Nurse These poor children’s lives Dr. William Griggs Hand me the candle, we must put it to the test If there’s no reaction it must be the Evil Hand Rebecca Nurse It must be the Evil Hand Abigail Williams We are all called down for dinner I know I mustn’t be late Something is happening The attention feels so great Look at me I’m alive now I never was before Living in this strange new world I deserve so much more So much more So much more So much more… So much more………. Samuel Parris Let us pray---for the food we are about to receive Abigail---wait your turn behind the men Don’t ever---grab for the food like that again Pick up---what has fallen on the floor For this---you will not join us for dessert Now give---that bread clutched in your hand Where is that dog---it goes to him and not to you This treat---like a cake would be to you Come Abigail we’ll dance and sing We’ll bring Betty out of the trance Pray to the Gods of Earth for her return Come back to us Betty come back There is no guilt, there’s no wrong Arawak Gods embrace your tender soul Minister Samuel Parris What tongue do you speak to my daughter? Behold the Devil’s voice Heretic doctrine Get away from her Your dark seed is sown Wait your turn Abigail Williams Now is the time to laugh and sing To worship the gods of the earth That brings joy and power Beyond my dreams Hurry before the minister comes He will not be pleased with us Rebelling his laws and disobeying God Tituba Yes we worship Arawak Gods I taught them to tell the future With rituals of blood Yes we made a witch cake We meant no harm; I’m trying to protect them Minister Samuel Parris Abigail, stand by the door Take this Bible and read Don’t stop until I’m done Tituba down on your knees Admit your evil works The Devil must be released I wish you had died with your kin Cause now your plaque Is spreading its sin Abigail Williams / Spoken No uncle! #13 TALK OF THE TOWN
Chorus Talk of the town Salem Villagers Sarah Osborne Hands down, trouble in the village Sarah Good Village gone to hell – into the nitty gritty Israel Porter Parish house three young giddies Thomas Putnam Girls hearing voices And there not sounding pretty Sarah Osborne Melt down – means to an end Sarah Good Preachers to the wall He’s calling men in Israel Porter Rumor has it the girls are possessed Thomas Putnam Spectral sightings you can guess the rest Chorus Change has come Salem Villagers Sarah Osborne Dark cloud has covered our village Sarah Good Rumors floating around Young girls are seeing witches Israel Porter It won’t be long the evil revealed Thomas Putnam Gallows are waiting and people being killed Sarah Osborne Fingers are pointing Sarah Good Waking of the dead Israel Porter Things have spoken Thomas Putnam Things have been said Sarah Good One thing certain something’s not right Sarah Osborne & Israel Porter One thing for certain something’s clouding their HEADS! #14 TITUBA'S TALE
We have been called here by Governor Stoughton We have three warrants for a peculiar case of the supernatural After consulting local ministers and one Cotton Together we’ve researched literature of possessions and witchcraft These stern guidelines will help us with the examinations Today’s charges are peculiar but serious First! Denial of the Devil equals denial of the Lord God Second! Witches are known to have strange markings; a mole, teat or scar Third! A spectral sighting of any kind is solid proof he or she is a witch Plus! The bible says thou shall not permit a witch to live We must start this hunt before they are on to us Those in league with the devil will bring the villagers to their knees We must do what we must Save our people from the non believers Bring back the Lord’s teachings of peace and love upon the accused Constable Sarah Good Sarah Osbourne Slave Tituba from Barbados Johnathon Hathorne Why do you hurt the children Sarah Good? Sarah Good I scorn it Johnathon Hathorne Did you employ familiar spirits? Sarah Good I scorn it Johnathon Hathorne When villagers denied your begging, what did you mutter to them? Sarah Good I was reciting the Lord’s Prayer Johnathon Hathorne Could you repeat these prayers for us now? Sarah Good None come to mind right now Afflicted Girls Abigail Williams, Ann Putnam Jr. & Mary Warren They’ve hurt us at night They’ve hurt us at day light I see their wicked smiles and hear their EVIL laughter Turn into a crow, Turn into a goat Fly around my room; won’t you please let me go? Prick us, pinch us Bite us, burn us Wicked, rotten Trying to turn us We will not give in to the curse set upon us It isn’t our fault – the devil is dishonest Johnathon Hathorne Why did you pinch the girls, Sarah Osborne? Sarah Osborne I’m sick and can barely stand, I pinch no one Johnathon Hathorne Have you bitten the afflicted children? Sarah Osborne I am more likely to be a Red bird, than be a witch Johnathon Hathorne Are you in league with the devil? Sarah Osborne I do not believe in the devil Johnathon Hathorne So you deny that there’s a God? Sarah Osborne I only deny the Devil Afflicted Girls Abigail Williams, Ann Putnam Jr. & Mary Warren They trick us, they hit us They touch us, they scare us They call us, they follow us They push us, they curse us Their power is growing Stronger and stronger Yes we believe in the spectral horrors Channeling Hell Demons have us cornered Evil, upheaval The bringer / world order They won’t loosen their hold Till were farthest from heaven We remain in this hell till the witches are hanging Johnathon Hathorne Have you performed Evil acts? Tituba I’m in league with the Devil as a matter of fact Johnathon Hathorne Do you practice alone or with others? Tituba A few people, but animals mostly Rats Cats Fiery Red With the wings of a Raven Frightening human head These are the creatures that will hurt the girls Both Sarah’s have me under their spell Johnathon Hathorne Tell the court what else you have done Tituba There’s a dark man who has come to my home Johnathon Hathorne What was your bidding for this man? Tituba I signed the Devils book when he held my hand Then he took me For a midnight flight To the devils sabot Of rich food and wine The wine turned to blood In a matter of time Then an orgy took place for all who have signed Johnathon Hathorne How many signed Tituba I believe I saw nine As the fires grew higher I felt tears in my eyes Pain from my finger as the signature dried Then I knew, and then I cried That these witches of Salem were not all in my mind TITUBA’S A WITCH! #15 THE ARREST Johnathon Hathorne & (Village men) John Procter & Constable
#12 BLACK WITCH OF SALEM VILLAGE
Tituba
Johnathon Hathorne
We are so sorry
Must take her now
The charges are witchcraft
She must stand trial
Abigail Williams
She is very old
And not in good health
Mary Warren
But she is EVIL
The spells she cast brought death
Johnathon Hathorne & (Village men) John Procter & Constable
Many people accused her
Many tales have been told
Doctor William Griggs
If she confesses all will be okay
Just be imprisoned
Her good name washed away
Abigail Williams
But if not….
I am so sorry, So very sorry
I am so sorry
< INSTRUMENTAL >
Abigail Williams
Goody go with these men
They will not harm you
God knows of your innocence
Your love for me was heaven sent
……What have I done?
I love her so much
#16 JOHN PROCTER’S JADE
John Procter
Jade I have a strong feeling
Your friends aren’t telling the truth
The spectral Light they speak of
Was conspired and made up
Please tell me all you know
Or I’ll beat it out of you
You know I care for you
But these tales have gone too far
Mary Warren
It is true these Horrors
The Demons hide behind our eyes
There is EVIL in the air
It calls to me in my despair
On this broom they’ll come for me
To the Devils Sabot for my commune
Oh the terror awaits
To afraid to tell them NO!...............NO
John Procter
Magistrates my servant Mary
Has important information
That could help us put an end to all of these lies…
We’ve persuaded Goody Warren
To confess these truths of horror
And the truth of these Afflictions
Shall be told!
Mary Warren
I have seen the Evils of my ways
I beg forgiveness from the State
That all these tales of witches are untrue
We learned more and grew powerful
The SPORT we played got out of control
In our boredom we inflicted So much pain….
Afflicted Girls
Abigail Williams, Betty Parris & Ann Putnam Jr.
Look over there its Mary’s specter
Why is she screaming at us?
Why do you hurt us Mary?
Cause you signed the Devils book
Can you not come back to us?
John Hathorne
Mary Warren you are under arrest
The charge is witchcraft
Punishment for this crime
Awaits on Gallows Hill
Constable put her in chains
Constable and Afflicted Girls
Hell awaits this face without a name
Hell awaits these faces without names
John Hathorne
It’s the work of the Devil
The children’s agony is real
Mary must be let free
John Procter you must speak!
John Procter
The malicious girls are lying
This SPORT will be the end of our days
I do not trust Spectral evidence
It’s a farce and irrelevant
Afflicted Girls
Abigail Williams, Betty Parris & Ann Putnam Jr.
Look over there, John Procter’s Specter
Why is it yelling at us?
Why do you hurt us Procter?
Cause you signed the Devils book?
Can you not come back to us?
John Hathorne
Constable arrest this man
For treason by the Church
John Procter you are charged
With conspiracy, the Devils work
Wait to stand trial, if convicted
You might Hang around awhile
Constable & Afflicted Girls (AHH’s)
He’s white as a Ghost
We’ll be your host
Raised cups for one last toast
White as a Ghost
Will be the most
That you could ever have
White as a Ghost
The Spectral host
Found a liking to your kind
White as a Ghost
Your final roast
To the Devil and all it knows
#17 The Court Of Oyer & Terminer
Constable
Please rise for the council
If you would
Our Magistrates holy wisdom
Will prevail
Stoughton
These horrific dirty trials
Are an embarrassment
First topic of our meeting
A letter from Cotton Mathers
Well it seems to be quite vague
To write a request to this court
To stop using Spectral Evidence
Chorus
Jonathon Hathorne, Thomas Putnam &,Stoughton
Welcome to the court of Oyer and Terminer
Welcome to the point of no return
Welcome to the court of Oyer and Terminer
Make it through you might just get the point
Constable
He’s a fool, how dare he
Asking such frivolous requests
The laws are old, these laws are final
Abiding by the text
Lt. Governor Stoughton
With child are some of the accused
Stoughton
Keep them in jail
Just past New Year
They’ll play a different tune Chorus Johnaton Hathorne, Thomas Putnam &,Stoughton Welcome to the court of Oyer and Terminer Where a speedy trial & conviction guaranteed Welcome to the court of Oyer and Terminer Our methods and our standards are all we need #18 Final Judgement Johnaton Hathorne Were gathered here today to bring these sinners to the test They’ve all been charged with witchcraft and the penalty is death Well before I begin this court I wish to warn you of their crimes By their possession of a satanic will I will sentence them to die This court will hear two cases now Of witches in our town Rebecca Nurse will be the first Please place her on the ground Why Goody Nurse did you hurt these girls like the Devil that you said Did you make these girls sign the Devil’s book? In the darkness of the night Rebecca Nurse (Chorus) I couldn’t hear what you said Could you repeat what you said? Ann Putman Sr. & Thomas Putnam Goody Nurse was my midwife with two fatal child births On both occasions the children came out still born to the earth I knew she was a witch when the second child was not alive Thomas Putnam Our second child was not alive Ann Putman Sr. & Thomas Putnam Now this is her Judgement Day Please sentence her to die Ann Putman Sr. She murdered my children! As an offering to the Devil! The Bible says thou shall not allow a witch to live! You’re a murderer, a murderer! Ann Putman Sr. Rebecca Nurse (Chorus) I couldn’t hear what you said Ann Putman Sr. Murderer, murderer! Rebecca Nurse (Chorus) Could you repeat what you said? Ann Putman Sr. Murderer! #19 Not Guilty
Rebecca Nurse I’m not guilty of what you said I have deep concern for the children’s health I will pray for Divine guidance for us all I’m a God fearing woman There’s no evil in my heart Do what you want I will not admit what I am not < INSTRUMENTAL > Rebecca Nurse / SPOKEN As this thing I am innocent As the child unborn But surely what sin God Found in me unrepented Of that he would lay Such an infliction on me In my old age #20 GILES COREY / BELIEVE WHAT I BELIEVE
Giles Corey Oh, my time’s almost through Allegations not true Fingers have been pointed at me God knows - Soon I will be set free Giles Corey You can torture me But I still believe what I believe Ann Putnam Sr., Thomas Putnam WE CAN TORTURE YOU Giles Corey This summer our village has changed Our honor and integrity washed away Outsiders have brought in such pain Fear paranoia will never be the same Chorus Ann Putnam Sr., Thomas Putnam & Giles Corey Big rocks - Down on me More weight please Ann Putnam Sr., Thomas Putnam BIG ROCKS DOWN ON YOU #21 TITUBA’S ETERNAL CITY
Tituba Abigail why did you come down here to see me I know I took this way to far I just figured out the secret to the riddle Just told them what they wanted to hear So I admit I stretched the truth a little You know those fools are now thinking I’m the witch There minds are so closed They couldn’t see what happened Right before their eyes the Truth unfolds….. So I told them “I was just what their fear was wanting” Scape Goat, Fallen Angel they know so well My spirit tells me there’s no such thing they call Hell only fear Fire and Brimstone their heart beats strong The Great Spirit Knows that All in All is All we have their God… All mighty’s waiting in the wind….. #22 GHOST OF REBECCA NURSE
Rebecca Nurse Abigail ‘Please don’t weep, I’ve come back for you to see For me to die was all part of the larger scheme Without sin, the goodness of man, peace & love across our land Could not survive, just look at those unmarked graves No more Hell where I am now, Deliverance from my shell My soul will rise, like the sun shines in the mighty sky When it’s your time to leave this plain, memories of Love will remain Like drops of rain, salvation will find its way HOME….ah ah Salem Village will fade away, what has happened here must stay Tales will be told of mistakes that were made…. What lessons have we learned? In history the witches burned, now we must change the judgments based on truth Free the souls that have been condemned Into the light the spirits ascend With your redemption we can finally rest HOME….ah ah
So many jailed
So many waiting
The people are anxious
WE MUST HURRY
Thomas Putnam
Look what you've done to her!
Murderer, murderer!