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