Brave Enough for Love – Jane Eyre

Opening

Ensemble

The secrets of the house

Are just beyond these walls

They hide in long-forgotten shadows

In everyone’s life

There is darkness and light

There is a blindness

There is sight

Men and women die

Christians lose their faith

Scholars falter in their wisdom

In one woman’s life

There’s an end, there’s a start

For the secrets of the house

Are like the secrets of the heart

Jane

My name is Jane Eyre.

Ensemble

My story begins gentle audience, a long time ago

Jane’s Father

In the home of a poor clergyman…

Jane’s Mother

And his wife…

Jane

My parents

Ensemble

There is my father, as I now imagine him…

And there is my mother…

Jane

And there I am…

Ensemble

Jane Eyre

Jane

A baby in my father’s arms.

Ensemble

He looked in my eyes

With the light growing dim

And his own eyes appeared

Looking straight up at him

Jane

Those same dark eyes

That I look through now

Ensemble

Within a year of their marriage, and a bare few weeks of my birth, my father caught the typhus fever while visiting among the poor.

Jane’s Mother

There is a fever on your brow

And I fear the worst has come

You will soon be taken

And leave us here, forsaken

A thousand dreams are washed away

By an evil we can’t see

That soon will swallow me

Who will take our child to raise

When we are gone

And she can’t remember us?

Jane, be strong

For we’ll be watching you from heaven

Jane’s Father

What kind of woman will she be?

The world is dark and cold

Will she have our faith?

Will she put her trust in her God?

When we are blind to the earth she walks upon

Will life be kind

When we are not here to protect her?

Jane’s Mother

I pray that she’ll be strong

And find her way along

So we must put our trust in God

Now and forever more

We’ll be watching from heaven

Jane, be strong

Ensemble

Who will provide for her?

Who will decide for her?

Who’ll see the good in this child?

What can be done for her?

Life has just begun for her

Who’ll see the good in this child?

Let Me Be Brave

Jane

I’m locked inside this haunted room

With nowhere to escape my fear

Must I suffer for another’s crime?

When will they let me out of here?

I’ll never hear the skylarks sing

I’ll never see the linnets fly

If other children can be loved

Oh God above, then why can’t I?

Is there no one to kiss good night?

I long to feel a warm embrace

My rag doll is my only friend

An orphan with a dirty face

She cries when she is locked away

For she is poor and plain, like me

But there is beauty in her heart

That nobody will ever see

Oh Mother, Father where are you?

Please tell me why you had to die

I want to be an angel, too

I pray that you will take me to heaven

Cry on my grave

Pray for the childhood

No soul could save

But if I’m to stay on this earth

God, let me brave

Let me be brave

Let me be brave

Naughty Girl

Mr. Brocklehurst

There’s no sight so sad

No stench so bad

As that of a naughty girl

Mrs. Reed

No crime so grave

As children who misbehave

Mr. Brocklehurst

We promise to save every naughty girl…Do you know where liars go after death?

Young Jane

They go to hell.

Mr. Brocklehurst

And what is hell?

Young Jane

A pit full of fire.

Mr. Brocklehurst

And should you like to be falling into that pit and to be swimming there forever?

Young Jane

No, sir.

Mr. Brocklehurst

And what must we do to avoid it?

Young Jane

I must keep in good health and not die.

Mr. Brocklehurst

Children younger than you die daily!

I just buried a child

Whose soul will rest in heaven’s care

I should say it’s shameful

Your soul won’t be welcome there

She’ll be watched

I swear

We’ll take good care

Of this little, naughty girl

Mrs. Reed

Keep her ’til

You’ve shattered her stubborn will

For I’ve done the best I could

More than another woman would

Mr. Brocklehurst

And we’ll cleanse her so clean

You’ll think she’s St. Augustine

God hears her plea

But He leaves her soul to me

Children of God

Miss Scatcherd

Form classes! Silence! Order!

Ensemble

We are the children of God

And we praise His name

We are blind to His love

In His love we will trust

For we are taught that we must

Miss Scatcherd

Girls, go straight to your class

And do as your told

Keep your tongues in your mouths

Or I’ll do more than scold

Ensemble

Oh, the water is frozen, we cannot bathe

Oh, pray now to Jesus our souls to save

Our sins delivering

As we praise Him, shivering

Miss Temple

I have a word to address to the students,

We have a girl who is new to our school,

Please make he welcome here,

Her name is Jane Eyre.

Young Jane

Who is that woman and

What does she do here?

Helen

That is Miss Temple

Our teacher, my friend

Young Jane

Does this house belong to her?

Helen

I wish it did.

She has to answer to Mr. Brockelhurst.

Young Jane

Miss Temple is the best is she not?

Helen

She knows more than the rest of the lot

Miss Scatcherd

Burns, you are standing uneven

And your fingernails are filthy

Miss Temple

But, no one could wash for

The water was frozen

Miss Scatcherd

Go and get the strap!

Miss Temple

It wasn’t her fault

The water was frozen

I appeal to you, sir

Helen is weak

She shouldn’t be punished

Mr. Brocklehurst

Disciplines are born

To be humble and suffer

Punish the flesh

To chasten the spirit

Purity comes from the pain of correction

Ensemble

We are the children of God

And we praise His word

We are blind to His love

In His love we must trust

For we are taught that we must

Miss Scatcherd

Wicked child!

Let that teach you!

Let that teach you!

Wicked child

Horrid, wretched child

God despises you!

Mr. Brocklehurst

The torment of martyrs

Is holy and Christian

Pamper the body

You’ll never depurate the soul

Ensemble

We are the children of God

But we find it quite queer

If we’re really His children

Why isn’t He hear?

Isn’t it clear?

We’re charity children

No mother or father

Just heavenly care

If God has so much

Why won’t He share?

Forgiveness

Young Jane

What is your name?

Helen

Helen.

Young Jane

You must wish to leave here.

Helen

No, why should I? I was sent to Lowood to get an education.

Young Jane

But that teacher is so cruel to you!

Helen

I have to be awakened

Young Jane

I would think you should dislike her.

Helen

I have to be taught

Young Jane

If you have faults, what are they?

Helen

I’m careless and forgetful.

Young Jane

To me, you seem very good.

Helen

She sees things you do not.

Young Jane

If she had struck me with that strap, I would get it from her hand…

Helen

I do not hold a grudge.

Young Jane

But she is cross and cruel.

Helen

Then I must learn to endure.

Young Jane

I could not bear it.

Helen

And as God is my judge

Young Jane

I think it is disgraceful!

Helen

At least my heart will be pure

Forgiveness

Is the mightiest sword

Forgiveness of those you fear

Is the highest reward

When they bruise you with words

When they make you feel small

When it’s hardest to take

You must do nothing at all

Young Jane

If we were always kind

To the evil and unjust

Kindness would be our curse

Jane

We should strike back at them

Helen, I’m sure we must

Jane and Young Jane

Lest they grow worse and worse

Helen

You forget Jesus Christ

Young Jane

I must resist the unjust

Helen

What He taught is still true

Young Jane

And love those who love me

Helen

You must forgive those who hate

Jane

I could never forgive Mrs. Reed!

Helen

And bless them that curse you

Jane

I could never bless her son, John!

Helen

Forgiveness

Is the mightiest sword

Forgivness of those you fear

Is the highest reward

Bless the criminal

Forgiveness

You will learn it in time

My Maker

Helen Burns

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

Soon I’ll be exalted

And My should will be set free

Once I had faith like your’s

Doubting heaven was really such a place

But soon, I will walk its shores

And I will see His face

Just as clearly as I see your’s

I see my Maker

Peace has come so fast

I will be restored to Him

Freedom comes at last

Young Jane

I’ll stay with you, dear Helen. No one shall take me away.

Helen

Are you warm, darling?

Young Jane

Yes.

Helen

Goodnight, Jane.

Young Jane

Goodnight, Helen.

Jane

Miss Temple found me the next morning, laid in Helen’s little crib, my face against Helen’s shoulder, my arm round her neck. I was asleep, and Helen was dead.

Ensemble

I see my Maker

Peace has come so fast

You will be restored to Him

Peace has come at last

Perfectly Nice

Mrs. Fairfax

It’ll be perfectly nice

Having someone with whom to converse

The servants are fine

But a little perverse

And if I’m a tiny bit terse

It’s only because I just fired the chef

Are you talking to me?

I’m a little bit deaf

The weather’s been rainy and gray

Oh, did I tell you I’ve nothing to say?

Have a nice cup of tea

Don’t you mind about me

There was a time when winter was here

No one came by

No one came near

I was alone, nearly a year

And not a creature would come to the house

The vicar came once but he didn’t stay long

Or did he come twice?

Maybe I’m wrong

Then, as the days went along

Like it or not, I was not as depressed

And soon after that

We were finally blessed

With little Adele, darling, come here

This is Miss Eyre

Your governess, dear.

Adele

Bonjour, Miss Eyre.

Jane

Bonjour, Adele.

Adele

Oh, vous parlez francais

Jane

She is French, then?

Adele

Yes, I am French, but you would learn me to spoke English?

Jane

To speak English

Adele

Exactement!

Mrs. Fairfax

Run along now, Adele.

Adele

Au’voir mam’selle.

Jane

Au’voir, Adele…

What a sweet little girl

Mrs. Fairfax

What a story to tell!

Her mother is gone

Gone to the Lord

And Mr. Rochester took her in as his ward

Jane

Mr. Rochester? Who is he?

Mrs. Fairfax

The owner of Thornfield! Did you not know he was called Rochester?

Jane

I thought Thornfield belonged to you!

Mrs. Fairfax

Bless you, child, what an idea!

I’m in charge of the hall

When he’s away I look after it all

And he’s away most of the time

Jane

What sort of man is he like?

Mrs. Fairfax

The kind of man who is never about.

Jane

Where does he go?

Mrs. Fairfax

I wouldn’t know…

One of a kind

Smart as a sage

And like good wine

Gets better with age

Modest and fair

Yet one wouldn’t dare

Behave in a manner unfitting one’s class

One has a place

That one mustn’t surpass

This is our lot

Like it or not…

I think I’ve forgotten my thought

What was it? Ah! No, that wasn’t it at all

Did i have a point?

I can never recall

But you’ll settle in

Read a few books

You’ve got the brains, if not quite the looks

You’ll soon adjust

Everyone must

Heed my advice

Let’s be precise

Listen to me, I will not tell you twice

You will be in good grace if you face

That a girl in your place

Will suffice, if she’s perfectly nice!

As Good As You

Rochester

Love is like a virus we’re infected with

You’re so naive

Wouldn’t it be wonderful

If life was just as you perceive?

Women are inhuman, worthless

Hard and savage

On the average

Never to be trusted

Completely maladjusted, it’s true

And if I’d not loved a few

I might ahave been as good as you

She was my flame, my gallic slyph

I was her fool’s delight

She put me in her spell and turned my

Rage to trust in just one night

With appetites for pleasure

We would search for buried treasure

In the excess of temptation

I thought it my salvation, it’s true

And if I had thought things through

I might have been as good as you

She found me handsome

My opera dancer

And like a fool I believed it was true

I held the world inside my hands, a man

Full in his prime

When she left me for another

Pierced my heart a second time

“Nothing lasts forever,” she said

“Find the door yourself, dear, won’t you?

Think me still your flower

I’ve treasured every hour, it’s true

And if I had loved you, too

I might have been as good as you.”

I came upong her some time later

The years had not been very kind

She has this child, Adele

Said she was mine, as well

“Nothing lasts forever, Edward

Take good care and, oh yes

Won’t you take our lovely daughter?

For you see, dear, I don’t want her

But I’m still your flower

I’ll just bloom elsewhere

Tell her my soul is in heaven, with God”

Miss Eyre, I tell you this

Because I want you to know

That I, with some luck

Without shame, without blame

Or the curse of my name

Might have been as good as you

Perfect Catch

Ensemble

What a perfect match!

What a catch!

Who today would be worthy of the love

That only they are worthy of?

What a perfect pair!

I declare, what romance!

He conveys her through the hall

As her eyes appraise it all

Beauty meets wealth

It’s a perfect combination

Money wins love

With equal compensation

Two adoring doves

Such a lovely inspiration of love

Blanche Ingram

We are the perfect pair

And I declare, it’s only fair

That all of this will soon be mine

All mine!

It’s too divine!

Let’s celebrate the propagation

Of the line

I will explain how

With but one vow

Now you must allow

That all your worldy goods

To me you will endow

Ensemble

Marriage is glorious!

Long live marriage!

Families untied

Long live marriage

What a perfect pair!

I declare, what romance!

He conveys her through the hall

As her eyes appraise it all

Beauty meets wealth

It’s a perfect combination

Money wins love

With equal compensation

Two adoring doves

Such a lovely inspiration of love

Ensemble

Hosanna!

Hosanna!

Marriage is glorious

Hosanna!

Blanche Ingram

I will explain how

With but one vow

Now you must allow

That all your worldy goods

To me you will endow

Ah!

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!

Secret Soul

Jane

What can I do now, my precious Lord?

His dark love would be my best reward

I know I should not dare to go

Deeper in his madness

But it’s like a field I must run through

No one’s word will make me love him less

The secret voice that speaks to me

Tells me he’s in danger

Looking to the dust for tenderness

Deep in my secret soul

I stand alone

The purpose of why I’m here

Is still unknown

In the darkness of his day

He’s nearly blind

But I keep looking for his goodness

Afraid of what I’ll find

My heart moves through his unquiet sea

I pray a wave will come and carry me

Closer to his troubled tide

Waters of his fury

But how can I swim this great divide?

Deep in my secret soul

I cry his tears

Rochester

My secret soul cries out loud

Jane

I weather his angry voice

I feel his fears

Rochester and Jane

Her/My life has infected every wound

And every pore

I feel her/his mystery possess me

And I pray that mercy’s hand will bless me

Jane

Deep in his secret soul

Rochester

Deep in my secret soul

Jane

His heart is cursed

Rochester

My heart is cursed…

Jane

I summon my deepest will

To still his thirst

Both

And I pray that God

Gives the strength to go

Deep within his/my secret soul

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