Things Beyond This Earth
Ensemble
Sympathies exist
Presentiments and signs
That baffle our mortal comprehension
To dream or to see
Or to feel or to hear
What seems not to be there
But such things exist
Things beyond this earth
Things beyond our sacred
Thoughts of heaven
These are the things that reason defies
But reason sometimes lies
Painting Her Portrait
Jane
What a fool I have been to wonder
If he might have a care for me
How insane the thought that you
Could be to him dear in any way
That a more absurd young girl has lived
I doubt that you could say!
You, a favorite of Mr. Rochester?
Gifted with the power?
Your logic’s fading by the hour
And to no avail, Jane!
Poor, blind puppy!
Had to go on dreaming
Had to try to give your life some meaning
Still you fail, Jane!
How dare you think that there’s a place
In his heart for you?
I’m painting my portrait
An absolute likeness
Faithful to illustrate
Every fine line
I’m mastering detail
Highlighting defects
Making a permanent mirror to see
All of the faults that lie hidden in me
I’m painting my portrait
It’s plain and uneven
Reminding me of what I am
What I must be
I’m leaving out nothing
No matter how painful
All of my flaws on display to be seen
Now my painting is done
I’ll start another
This one of her
And when I close my eyes
I clearly see her face
Capture her grace and poise
Fight back the tears and I’m
Painting her portrait
An absolute likeness
The loveliest face
The most delicate skin
A tribute to beauty
The perfect Miss Ingram
Omit neither diamond ring
Nor golden rose
Make her a lady of rank
Glistening satin
Oh, how she glows
Mix in your finest tints
Paint her dramatically
With all your sweetest hues
Sit here fanatically…
Painting our portraits
This one will live
All of her life as a governess
Just a lonely governess
This one will always be happy
And marry a man who will carry her away
And should you fancy
That he really loves you
Just compare the pictures
Two completely different mixtures
You should be ashamed, Jane
Why would he settle for a slave
When he could have a queen?
Jane, it’s foreseen, Jane!
Don’t even dare any more
To compare
Say a prayer
For your sorry soul
Jane!
In the Light of the Virgin Morning
Blanche
In the light of the virgin morning
I look out through a misty haze
The estate has an ancient beauty
Mother must appraise
As I stroll through the pinks and roses
As I savour the columbine
I am grateful for all he is
And what will one day all be mine
The perfect plan
If only I could love the man
But I’m not quite sure I can
Jane
In the light of the virgin morning
In the shade of the chestnut tree
If I leave this unhappy bliss
Where will my Eden be?
For I’ll miss this enchanted garden
Watching leaves as they turn to brown
Blanche
We will sell the estate, of course
And we will move to town
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Jane This is my fate What more do I deserve? I mustn’t stay What purpose would it serve? He doesn’t need me His heart is blinded Where will I go? What star will light my way? This is my home, oh God above I pray The rock of ages will show me mercy In the light of the virgin morning |
Blanche We’ll be admired and praised I’ll know what happiness is When I am his I’ll be the star in his night And I will shine As a bride By his side |
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Jane In the light of the virgin morning I am cursed in my hope of heaven For I know I will always love him |
Blanche In the light of the virgin morning I am blessed in my hope of heaven For I know I will come to love him |
The Gypsy
Rochester
I see a flame in the palm of your hand
Oh sister
You’re peevish and puny and spoiled and bland
Oh sister
You have no principles
You have no taste
Your education was truly a waste
Don’t be upset, girls, this has to be faced
Sweet sisters
I see a man in your future, my dear
Auspicious
But his claims of wealth and title I fear
Fictitious
You marry the scoundrel, and soon after that
You bear him a child and then you get fat
Lucky for you he leaves both of you flat
Dear lady
I see a journey you’re planning to take
Oh sister
Believe me, my child, it’s a fatal mistake
Oh sister
The road holds great danger
You’d better stay here
There’s someone you long to be close to, my dear
He’s not so far out of reach as you fear
Dear sister
Jane
And who might he be, mother?
Rochester
I’m getting tired of this masquerade
Oh sister
Do you forgive me for this odd charade
Dear sister…
The Proposal
Rochester
Jane…you are to undertake the education of the five daughters of Mrs. Dionysius O’Gall. At Bitternut Lodge, in Connaught, Ireland.
Jane
Ireland! I really must object…
Rochester
Jane, this is best
Jane
I don’t agree, sir.
Rochester
Jane, when you’re gone
I will miss our walks
Our little talks
The look of sunlight on your face
Soon to be a memory…
Jane, when you’re gone
I’ll miss your voice
And I’ll think of you
Out on the glen
You seemed so like a fairy then…
Jane
Such a distance, why so far sir?
Rochester
Oh, does that perturb you?
Jane
It’s a long way…
Rochester
Well, from what, Jane?
Why should that disturb you?
Jane, we’ve been friends…
Jane
It’s getting late, sir.
Rochester
Jane, what is wrong?
Jane
I must go in, sir.
Rochester
Jane, is that a tear that’s in your eye?
Jane
Yes, it is, and I cry because the pain
Because the grief
Is slowly turning to rage
I’m like a bird upon the brief
Who wishes she were never born into this cage
I know you think because I’m plain
That I feel nothing inside
If I were rich, if I were beautiful…
…then I should think I would make it as hard for you to leave me as it is for me to leave you. I love Thornfield and I grieve to leave it, for here I have talked, face to face, with what I reverence, what I delight in-with an original, a vigourous, an expanded mind- but I see the necissity of departure and it is like looking on the necessity of death.
Rochester
Where do you see the necessity?
Jane
In the shape of your bride.
Rochester
Jane, there is place for you
And Jane, it is here with me
To live in this house
To stand as my wife
Jane
What do you mean?
Rochester
Jane, you are my second self
And Jane, don’t you see the truth
That you are the heart of my life?
Jane
But what of Blanche?
Rochester
She’s gone, never to return
The gypsy told her that my wealth
Wasn’t half of my first claim
And Blanche Ingram, bless her heart
Took the bait, and not my name
I would not…I could never have married Blance Ingram. Because my equal is here, and my likeness.
Jane
Why did you make me believe you loved her?
Rochester
To make you jealous.
Jane
Why?
Rochester
Jane, to make you as in love with me
As I am in love with you,
Be my wife.
Say my name!
Jane
Edward…
Rochester
Will you marry me, Jane Eyre?
You mean more to me than life
What’s your answer?,br>
Tell me now!
Do you consent to be my wife?
God forgive me, you are not getting away from me!
If I had a string under my ribs
Knotted to you, connecting our frames
I’d be afraid that many a mile
Would sever the tie
And I would take to bleeding inwardly
Are you my savior, are you my saint
Protecting my soul
With communion and light?
Stand as my equal, be my reward
Slay custom and code
With love as your sword
Childish, slender creature
My hope of heaven lies
Inside your eyes
I hear you cherished voice
Across the moorland skies
Will I not guard and cherish you
As long as I shall live?
Will I not sanction you
With all the love my heart can give?
And I wash my hands
Of every youthful crime
Defy them all
God will give me time
And you will lead me, blind
Jane
Yes, sir. I will marry you.
Rochester
Childish slender creature
My hope of heaven lies
Inside your precious eyes
I hear you cherished voice
Across the moorland skies
Your youth and spirit
Gentle presence
Flies us up to heaven
Across the skies
Slip of a Girl
Mrs. Fairfax
I cannot believe it!
Adèle
What is it, Madame?
Mrs. Fairfax
He means to marry her…a governess!
A slip of a girl
No breeding, no brass
No kinship, no class
A slip of a girl
Who misplaces her grace
And disgraces her place
A slip of a girl
Who should settle for less
And confess a success
I’m outraged and appalled
Distressed and offended
Scandalized, mortified
Shocked and upended
Adèle
Is it true, mam’selle?
Jane
Yes, it is!
Mrs. Fairfax
You’re a slip of a girl
It is unlikely, I fear
He’s in love with you, dear
Jane
Mrs. Fairfax!
Mrs. Fairfax
A slip of a girl!
Would you marry him when
You’ve no knowledge of men?
A slip of girl
I would beg you to purge
Your unvirginal urge
I’m fretted and anxious
Concerned and disturbed
Upset, apprehensive
Harassed and perturbed!
Oh, Jane, you must be careful…
I remember in my youth
I thought the same as you,
But men, my dear, will break your heart
While swearing to be true.
Robert
From Mr. Rochester, Miss.
Jane
Thank you, Robert…
Mrs. Fairfax
But these are the Rochester jewels!
Jane
Oh, yes…
Mrs. Fairfax
To be worn by a governess?
I’m astonished, alarmed
Perplexed and dumbfounded
Bewildered, embarrassed
Amazed and astounded
Jane
I don’t know why he sent them. I told him I would not wear them.
Mrs. Fairfax
Not wear them? And who are you to say you will not wear jewels given to you by Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester?
A slip of a girl
Whose form, I’ll be sworn
He should scorn to adorn
Jane
No, indeed, Mrs. Fairfax…
Mrs. Fairfax
A slip of a girl
Who’d be blessed, at the best
To be fetchingly dressed!
Jane
I shall not wear them!
Mrs. Fairfax
A slip of a girl
Who’ll do as she’s told
Or be wholly cajoled,
Laughable, impudent
Brazen, audacious
Saucy, impertinent
Bold and ungracious
Adèle
Ooh, voilà!
Robert
From the tailor at Milcote, Miss.
Jane
Oh, yes, thank you.
Mrs. Fairfax
So this is the dress?
Jane
Do you like it?
Mrs. Fairfax
Like it? Well, I…
I remember, long ago
When I wore such a dress…
He died, poor man, and broke my heart
Still broken, I confess
Jane
I’m very sorry to hear that, Mrs. Fairfax…
Mrs. Fairfax
A slip of a girl
Inspidly built
Ill-equipped, to the hilt
Jane
Mrs. Fairfax…
Mrs. Fairfax
You’re a slip of a girl
And I’ll bet he’ll not let
You be more than a pet
He’s twenty years older
Aesthetics won’t let it
Be more than a friendship
You’d better forget it
Jane
No, indeed, Mrs. Fairfax. Edward is young…
Mrs. Fairfax
Edward?
Jane
He’s young in his heart.
Mrs. Fairfax
Really?
Jane
He loves me, I’m sure.
Mrs. Fairfax
Oh, dear, I don’t know…
Jane
I solemnly swear…
Mrs. Fairfax
Love is a great thing…
Jane
Our love will endure
Mrs. Fairfax
Well, then…
I’m thrilled, I’m enchanted
Enraptured, excited
Gratified, tickled…
I trust I’m invited?
I’m charmed, I’m disarmed!
Jane Eyre, I’m delighted!
Sirens (Reprise)
Jane
What can I do, I feel his love
Would I be judged my God above
If I were to stay here by his side?
Surely there would be no blame
If I do not take his name
I’ll have his heart
But I’ll not be his bride
And we could sail away
Get lost at sea
Where we could lose ourselves
Where we are blind and free
For as sirens call the sailors
He calls to me
Lord, is this to be my worth?
I pray there was a reason for my birth
Is this what you would have me do?
Break my sacred vow to you?
Destroy the laws of heaven here on earth?
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Jane What can I do, I feel his love Would I be judged by God above If I am not there to hear his call? Curse the passion, dim the flame If I cannot take his name I cannot take anything at all Oh, let me sail away And make this vow That what my heart wants I will not allow For as sirens call the sailors… |
Rochester Jane, don’t you see No one is injured By this breach Jane, don’t you see? Our spring of life You are my life My second self Oh, be my wife My little eld You are my Jane Oh, say my name |
Jane
He calls me now
Farewell, Good Angel
Rochester
Is this how you would leave me?
In ruin and despair?
My hope is quenched, my life is lost
Laid waste beyond repair
I was wrong when I decieved you
But there was no other way
Your character won’t let you
Live the lie mine must obey!
And I don’t mean to claim
That honour has been served
But why must I have eyes
To see you’re not there?
Why must I take one more breath?
Let lightening strike
That’s not the worst
Now that you’ve shattered my soul
I die accursed!
So farewell, good angel
Another day is done
I wrapped my life around you
And for a time, two fused as one
And God should strike me down
If you are truely gone
But why must I have eyes
To see you’re not there?
Why must I take one more breath?
Let lightning strike
That’s not the worst
I’d rather burn in Hell
Damning my sould to dwell
Lost in my pain
Than to live here on earth
Without my Jane!
My Maker
Jane
I see my maker
And my mind’s at rest
There will be no pain to feel
Only joy within my breast
I see his goodness
As he comes for me
Soon I’ll be exalted
And my sould will be set free
But I will not be blessed
I have stumbled in the face of God
And when I come to rest
He’ll know I have harmed
That which I love best
I see my maker
Peace has come so fast
I will be restored to him
We’ll be joined at last
Rain
Jane’s Memory
Rain falls from the sky
Fresh on my skin
Kisses my face
I drag myself up
Weary I walk
Guided by grace
There in the darkness
A flicker of light
Leading me onwards
Over the moors
To a road
A road winding slow
That leads to a house
A house that I know…
The Voice Across the Moors
St. John Rivers
In the light of the virgin evening
In the vale of a midnight blue
God has seen I’m at last rewarded
He has sent me to you
And I hear His divine commandments
And I sail His celestial sea
In the harmony of the heavens
He’s proclaimed to me
Jane, you must be a missionary wife
Jane, you will have a visionary life
The rock of ages is yours to lean on
Jane, you were formed
For labour, not love
Jane, show your faith
In the heavens above
For now I claim you
In holy marriage
Marry me, Jane Eyre. Let God and time show us the worth of our love.
Jane
If it were God’s will I should marry you, I could vow to it here and now!
St. John
Then pray. Pray for His guidance. He will show you the way.
Jane
What can I do now, my precious Lord?
Would this union be my best reward?
Is this why I’ve landed here
Frozen on his doorstep?
Is this part of your eternal plan?
Deep in my secret soul
Oh God, I pray
Show me the road to take
And light my way
Give me a sign, my Lord
And I will promise to obey
Rochester
Jane…
Jane…
Jane
I’ll go with him as his wife
Rochester
Jane…
Jane
If it’s Your will, I’ll obey
Rochester
Jane…
Jane
Oh, God! What is it?
Rochester
Jane…
Jane
Edward?
Rochester
Jane, Jane, Jane…
Jane
Edward! Edward! Where are you?
St. John
Jane, what is it? What do you hear?
Jane
Edward?
Rochester Jane Edward! Where are you? Wait for me! Rochester Jane! Jane I hear your cherished voice Across the moorland skies Poor Sister Mason My dear, I have brought you a lily today For the roses were frail And the petals fell away The morning mist has kissed your grave Rest now in sleep Our secrets will keep Till we speak again tomorrow Jane Mr. Mason? Mason Miss Eyre! Jane What happened here? Mason She set the flame Although no one knows why Poor sister For she thought she could fly! Sweet sister Edward saved everyone else who was there But got out too late for himself I declare What happened to him Well, it just isn’t fair Poor Edward Jane God have mercy… Mason He’s still alive But the dear man is blind Jane Dear master Mason And crippled in body If not in his mind Poor sister Brave Enough for Love Jane Sir, I have come back to you Content Rochester Great God! What delusion is this? Jane Ready to stand here by your side, As you see fit… Rochester Is it Jane? Jane As your friend, or as your bride. Rochester My living Jane! Jane Sir, you are my second self And I will be your hands I’ll be your eyes I am here With my heart Rochester I can’t see, but I can feel… How I’ve loved you, every day. Jane I’ve loved you stronger every day How I’ve lived without your touch… Rochester How I’ve struggled to survive… Both …Only God above can say. Rochester Am I hideous, Jane? Jane Very, sir. You always were you know. Rochester I see the wickedness is still within you. But is it really you, Jane? Are you come back to me? Jane I am! Rochester And you are not dead in some ditch, or an outcast among strangers? Jane No, sir! I am an independent woman now! Rochester And independent woman? Jane My aunt has died and left me her fortune Rochester Then you possess more wealth than I What could I possibly offer? I am no better Than the old chestnut Struck down by lightning Its life cleft in two For why should you marry A blind man, a cripple Tell me, Jane, what right do I have to you? I prayed in the name of God Don’t let Jane suffer Don’t let her die For three days, in my despair I cried to heaven Where is Jane Eyre? Then, from my lips Came a voice, came a name I cried “Jane” from the depths I called out I cried “Jane” Rochester and Jane And I don’t know what happened But I thought I heard you… Jane Did you speak these words out loud? Rochester I did. If anyone was listening, he would have thought me mad…I called out with such frantic energy. Jane And this was last Monday evening, just after susnet? Rochester Yes, but what followed is the strangest point. Where the voice came from, I cannot tell, but I know whose voice it was…And the voice replied… Jane Edward? Where are you? Wait for me! Rochester Yes, yes…but how could you know that? Jane The secrets of your heart Are like the secrets of the house They have finally been revealed Rochester There is no more to hide I have looked death in the face And though a part of me has died Both I will never lose faith I will never lose heart For you have restored my trust And I know you’re afraid I’m as scared as you are But willing to be brave Brave enough for love Rochester And now I have your hand Jane Clutching mine with all its might Holding on for precious life Rochester The purifying flame Has washed us clean of all our fears Both It was a miracle of God I will never lose faith I will never lose heart For you have restored my trust And I know you’re afraid I’m as scared as you are But willing to be brave Brave enough for love And when I heard your voice Beyond the sky I knew it was a sign from God above One I could not deny Jane So, gentle audience, I married him. No woman was ever nearer to her mate than I am, ever more absolutely bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. Rochester The secret of the flame Is that there is no more to hide It cures our blindness And our pride Both And we’ll never lose faith We will never lose heart For you have restored my trust And I know you’re afraid I’m as scared as you are But willing to be brave Brave enough for love Jane Edward continued blind the first two years of our marriage, then, slowly, the sight in one eye began to return to him.
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Ensemble Forgiveness Is the mightiest sword Forgiveness… |
Jane And when our firstborn was placed into his arms, he coul see that the boy had inherited his own eyes, as they once were-large, brilliant and black. |
Jane
On this occasion, we acknowledged with full hearts, that God had tempered judgement with mercy.
Rochester
I will never lose faith
I will never lose heart
For you have restored my trust
Jane
And I know you’re afraid
I’m as scared as you are…
Both
But willing to be brave
Brave enough for love!
Rochester, Jane and Ensemble
I will never lose faith
I will never lose heart
For you have restored my trust
And I know you’re afraid
I’m as scared as you are
But willing to be brave
Brave enough for love!
I will never lose faith
I will never lose heart
For you have restored my trust
And I know you’re afraid
I’m as scared as you are
But willing to be brave
Brave enough for love
Jane
Brave enough for love!
All
Brave enough for love