Could We Start Again Please? – Jesus Christ Superstar

APOSTLES
Look at all my trials and tribulations
Sinking in a gentle pool of wine
Don’t disturb me now I can see the answers
Till this evening is this morning life is fine

Always hoped that I’d be an apostle
Knew that I would make it if I tried
Then when we retire we can write the gospels
So they’ll still talk about us when we’ve died

JESUS
The end . . .
Is just a little harder when brought about by friends
For all you care this wine could be my blood
For all you care this bread could be my body
The end!
This is my blood you drink
This is my body you eat
If you would remember me when you eat and drink . . .

I must be mad thinking I’ll be remembered – yes
I must be out of my head!
Look at your blank faces! My name will mean nothing
Ten minutes after I’m dead!
One of you denies me
One of you betrays me

APOSTLES
Not I! Who would? Impossible!

JESUS
Peter will deny me in just a few hours
Three times will deny me – and that’s not all I see
One of you here dining, one of my twelve chosen
Will leave to betray me –

JUDAS
Cut out the dramatics! You know very well who –

JESUS
Why don’t you go do it?

JUDAS
You want me to do it!

JESUS
Hurry they are waiting

JUDAS
If you knew why I do it . . .

JESUS
I don’t care why you do it!

JUDAS
To think I admired you
Well now I despise you!

JESUS
You liar – you Judas

JUDAS
You wanted me to do it!
What if I just stayed here
And ruined your ambition?
Christ you deserve it!

JESUS
Hurry you fool, hurry and go,
Save me your speeches
I don’t want to know – Go! Go!

APOSTLES
Look at all my trials and tribulations
Sinking in a gentle pool of wine
What’s that in the bread it’s gone to my head
Till this morning is this evening life is fine

Always hoped that I’d be an apostle
Knew that I would make it if I tried
Then when we retire we can write the gospels
So they’ll all talk about us when we’ve died

JUDAS
You sad pathetic man – see where you’ve brought us to
Our ideals die around us and all because of you
But the saddest cut of all –
Someone has to turn you in
Like a common criminal, like a wounded animal
A jaded mandarin
A jaded mandarin
Like a jaded, faded, faded, jaded, jaded mandarin

JESUS
Get out! They’re waiting! Get out! They’re waiting!
Oh! They’re waiting for you!

JUDAS
Everytime I look at you I don’t understand
Why you let the things you did get so out of hand
You’d have managed better if you’d had it planned –
Ah — ah

APOSTLES
Look at all my trials and tribulations
Sinking in a gentle pool of wine
What’s that in the bread it’s gone to my head
Till this evening is this morning life is fine

Always hoped that I’d be an apostle
Knew that I would make it if I tried (If I tried)
Then when we retire we can write the gospels
So they’ll still talk about us when we’ve died

JESUS
Will no-one stay awake with me?
Peter? John? James?
Will none of you wait with me?
Peter? John? James?

GETHSEMANE

JESUS
I only want to say
If there is a way
Take this cup away from me
For I don’t want to taste its poison
Feel it burn me,
I have changed I’m not as sure
As when we started

Then I was inspired
Now I’m sad and tired
Listen surely I’ve exceeded
Expectations
Tried for three years
Seems like thirty
Could you ask as much
From any other man?

But if I should die
See the saga through
And do the things you ask of me
Let them hate me, hit me, hurt me
Nail me to their tree

I’d want to know
I’d want to know my God
I’d want to know
I’d want to know my God
I’d want to see
I’d want to see my God
I’d want to see
I’d want to see my God
Why I should die

Would I be more noticed
Than I ever was before?
Would the things I’ve said and done
Matter any more?
I’d have to know
I’d have to know my Lord
I’d have to know
I’d have to know my Lord
I’d have to see
I’d have to see my Lord
I’d have to see
I’d have to see my Lord

If I die what will be my reward?
If I die what will be my reward?
I’d have to know
I’d have to know my Lord
I’d have to know
I’d have to know my Lord

Why, why should I die?
Oh, why should I die?
Can you show me now
That I would not be killed in vain?
Show me just a little
Of your omnipresent brain
Show me there’s a reason
For your wanting me to die
You’re far too keen on where and how
But not so hot on why
Alright I’ll die!
Just watch me die!
See how, see how I die!
Oh, just watch me die!

Then I was inspired
Now I’m sad and tired
After all I’ve tried for three years
Seems like ninety
Why then am I scared
To finish what I started
What you started
I didn’t start it
God thy will is hard
But you hold every card
I will drink your cup of poison
Nail me to your cross and break me
Bleed me, beat me
Kill me, take me now
Before I change my mind

THE ARREST

JUDAS
There he is
They’re all asleep, the fools

JESUS
Judas, must you betray me
With a kiss?

PETER AND APOSTLES
What’s the buzz
Tell me what’s happening
Hang on Lord
We’re gonna fight for you

JESUS
Put away your swords,
Don’t you know that it’s all over
It was nice but now it’s gone
Why are you obsessed with fighting?
Stick to fishing from now on

CROWD
Tell me Christ how you feel tonight
Do you plan to put up a fight?
Do you feel that you’ve had the breaks?
What would you say were your big mistakes?
Do you think that you may retire?
Did you think you would get much higher?
How do you view your coming trial?
Have your men proved all worthwhile?

Come with us to see Caiaphas
You’ll just love the high priest’s house
You’ll just love seeing Caiaphas
You’ll just die in the high priest’s house

Come on God this is not like you
Let us know what you’re gonna do
You know what your supporters feel
You’ll escape in the final reel
Tell me Christ how you feel tonight
Do you plan to put up a fight?
Do you feel that you’ve had the breaks?
What would you say were your big mistakes?

Come with us to see Caiaphas
You just love the high priest’s house
You just love seeing Caiaphas
You’ll just die in the high priest’s house

Now we have him, now we got him
Now we have him, now we got him

CAIAPHAS
Jesus you must realize
The serious charges facing you
You say you’re the son of God
In all your handouts
Well is it true?

JESUS
That’s what you say
You say that I am

ANNAS
Now that we have the gentleman
What more evidence do we need?
Judas, thank you for the victim
Stay a while and you’ll see him bleed!

CROWD
Now we have him, now we got him
Take him to Pilate, take him to Pilate!

PETER’S DENIAL

WOMAN
I think I’ve seen you somewhere
I remember
You were with that man
They took away
I recognize your face

PETER
You’ve got the wrong man, lady
I don’t know him
And I wasn’t where
He was tonight
Never near the place

SOLDIER
That’s strange
For I am sure I saw you with him
You were right by his side
And yet you deny it?

PETER
I tell you
I was never ever with him

OLD MAN
But I saw you too
It looked just like you

PETER
I DON’T KNOW HIM!

MARY
Peter don’t you know what you have said
You’ve gone and cut him dead

PETER
I had to do it
Don’t you see?
Or else they’d go for me

MARY
It’s what he told us you would do
I wonder how he knew?

COULD WE START AGAIN PLEASE?

MARY
I’ve been living to see you.
Dying to see you, but it shouldn’t be like this.
This was unexpected,
What do I do now?
Could we start again please?
Could we start again?

I’ve been very hopeful, so far.
Now for the first time,
I think we’re going wrong.
Hurry up and tell me,
This is just a dream.
Oh could we start again please?
Could we start again?

PETER
I think you’ve made your point now
You’ve even gone a bit too far to get the message home
Before it gets too frightening,
We ought to call a halt,
So could we start again please?
Could we start again?
Could we start again?
Could we start again?
Could we start again?

Wish I could reassure you,
Wish I could talk to you and tell you how I feel.
I’ve been very careless,
This I don’t deny,
But could we start again please?
Could we start again?

You surely know I love you,
But something in me stands aside, and lets you slip away.
Perhaps that’s what you wanted,
Perhaps I want that too.
Oh could we start again please?
Could we start again?

Could we start again please

PILATE AND CHRIST

PILATE
Who is this broken man?
Cluttering up my hallway?
Who is this un-for-tu-nate?

SOLDIER
Someone Christ, King of the Jews

PILATE
Oh so this is Jesus Christ
I am really quite surprised
You look so small
Not a king at all
We all know that you are news
But are you king?
King of the Jews?

JESUS
That’s what you say
You say that I am

PILATE
What do you mean by that?
That is not an answer
You’re deep in trouble friend
Someone Christ, King of the Jews
How can someone in your state
Be so cool about your fate?
An amazing thing
This silent king
Since you come from Galilee
So you need not come to me
You’re Herod’s race
You’re Herod’s case

CHORUS
Hosanna, hey sanna, sanna sanna ho
Sanna hey, sanna ho, sanna
Hey JC, JC, please explain to me
You had everything, where is it now?

KING HEROD’S SONG

HEROD
Jesus, I am overjoyed
To meet you face to face
You’ve been getting quite a name
All around the place
Healing cripples
Raising from the dead
Now I understand you’re God
At least that’s what you’ve said

So you are the Christ
You’re the great Jesus Christ
Prove to me that you’re divine
Change my water into wine
That’s all you need do
Then I’ll know it’s all true
C’mon King of the Jews

Jesus you just won’t believe
The hit you’ve made around here
You are all we talk about
You’re the wonder of the year
Oh what a pity
If it’s all a lie
Still I’m sure
That you can rock the cynics if you try

So if you are the Christ
Yes the great Jesus Christ
Prove to me that you’re no fool
Walk across my swimming pool
If you do that for me
Then I’ll let you go free
C’mon King of the Jews

I only ask what I’d ask any superstar
What is it that you have got
That puts you where you are?
Oh, I am waiting
Yes I’m a captive fan
I’m dying to be shown
That you are not just any man

So if you are the Christ
Yes the great Jesus Christ
Feed my household with this bread
You can do it on your head
Or has something gone wrong?
Jesus, why do you take so long?
Aw, c’mon King of the Jews

Hey! Aren’t you scared of me Christ?
Mr. Wonderful Christ!
You’re a joke, you’re not the Lord
You are nothing but a fraud
Take him away
He’s got nothing to say!
Get out you King of the
Get out you King of the,
Get out you King of the Jews!
Get out of here, you, you!
Get out of here, you!
Get out of my Life

JUDAS’ DEATH

JUDAS
My God, I saw him
He looked three-quarters dead
And he was so bad
I had to turn my head
You beat him so hard
That he was bent and lame
And I know who everybody’s
Going to blame
I don’t believe he knows
I acted for our good
I’d save him all the suffering
If I could
Don’t believe
Our good
Save him
If I could

ANNAS
Cut the confessions
Forget the excuses
I don’t understand why
You’re filled with remorse
All that you’ve said
Has come true with a vengence
The mob has turned against him
You’ve backed the right horse

CAIAPHAS
What you have done
Will be the saving of Israel
You’ll be remembered forever
For this
And not only that
You’ve been paid for your efforts
Pretty good wages
For one little kiss

JUDAS
Christ!
I know you can’t hear me
But I only did what you wanted me to
Christ!
I’d sell out the nation
For I have been saddled
With the murder of you
I have been spattered
With innocent blood
I should be dragged
Through the slime and the mud
I have been spattered
With innocent blood
I should be dragged
Through the slime and the mud

I don’t know how to love him
I don’t know why he moves me
He’s a man
He’s just a man
He’s not a king
He’s just the same
As anyone I know
He scares me so!
When he’s cold and dead
Will he let me be?
Does he love me too?
Does he care for me?
Ohhhhh…

My mind is darkness now
My god I am sick
I’ve been used
And you knew
All the time
God I’ll never ever know
Why you chose me for your crime
For your foul bloody crime
You have murdered me!
You have murdered me!

CHORUS
So long, Judas
Poor old Judas

TRIAL BEFORE PILATE (INCLUDING THE 39 LASHES)

PILATE
And so the king
Is once again my guest
And why is this?
Was Herod unimpressed?

CAIAPHAS
We turned to Rome
To sentence Nazareth
We have no law
To put a man to death
We need him crucified
It’s all you have to do

PILATE
Talk to me, Jesus Christ
You have been brought here
Manacled, beaten by your own people
Do you have the first idea
Why you deserve it?
Listen, king of the Jews,
Where is your kingdom?
Look at me
Am I a Jew?

JESUS
I have got no kingdom
In this world
I’m through, through, through
There may be a kingdom for me
Somewhere if I only knew

PILATE
Then you are a king

JESUS
It’s you that say I am
I look for truth
And find that I get damned

PILATE
But what is truth?
Is truth unchanging law?
We both have truths
Are mine the same as yours?

CROWD
Crucify him, crucify him!

PILATE
What do you mean
You’d crucify your king?

CROWD
We have no king but Caesar

PILATE
He’s done no wrong
No, not the slightest thing

CROWD
We have no king but Caesar
Crucify him!

PILATE
I see no reason
I find no evil
This man is harmless
So why does he upset you?
He’s just misguided
Thinks he’s important
But to keep you vultures happy
I shall flog him

CROWD
Crucify! Crucify!

PILATE
One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Six! Seven! Eight! Nine! Ten! Eleven!
Twelve! Thirteen! Fourteen! Fifteen! Sixteen! Seventeen! Eighteen!
Nineteen! Twenty! Twenty one! Twenty two! Twenty three! Twenty four!
Twenty five! Twenty six! Twenty seven! Twenty eight! Twenty nine!
Thirty! Thirty one! Thirty two! Thirty three! Thirty four! Thirty
five!
Thirty six! Thirty seven! Thirty eight! Thirty nine!

PILATE
Where are you from Jesus?
What do you want Jesus?
Tell me!
You’ve got to be careful
You could be dead soon
Could well be
Why do you not speak
When I have your life in my hands?
How can you stay quiet?
I don’t believe you understand!

JESUS
You have nothing in your hands
Any power you have
Comes to you from far beyond
Everything is fixed
And you can’t change it

PILATE
You’re a fool, Jesus Christ
How can I help you?

CROWD
Crucify him! Crucify him!
Remember Caesar
You have a duty
To keep the peace
So crucify him!
You’ll be demoted
You’ll be deported
So crucify him!

PILATE
Don’t let me stop
Your great self-desctruction
Die if you want to
You misguided martyr!
I wash my hands
Of your demolition
Die if you want to
You innocent puppet!

SUPERSTAR

JUDAS
Ev’ry time I look at you
I don’t understand
Why you let the things you did
Get so out of hand
You’d have managed better
If you’d had it planned
Now why’d you choose such a backward time
And such a strange land?

If you’d come today

You could have reached a whole nation
Israel in 4 BC

Had no mass communication
Don’t you get me wrong
Don’t you get me wrong, now
Don’t you get me wrong
Don’t you get me wrong
Don’t you get me wrong
Don’t you get me wrong, now
Don’t you get me wrong

(Only want to know)
Only want to know
(Only want to know, now)
Only want to know
(Only want to know)
Only want to know
(Only want to know, now)
Only want to know

Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you’re what they say you are?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you’re what they say you are?

Tell me what you think
About your friends at the top
Now who d’you think besides yourself
Was the pick of the crop?
Buddah was he where it’s at?
Is he where you are?
Could Mahomet move a mountain
Or was that just PR?
Did you mean to die like that?
Was that a mistake or
Did you know your messy death
Would be a record breaker?

(Don’t you get me wrong) Don’t you get me wrong
(Don’t you get me wrong, now) Don’t you get me wrong
(Don’t you get me wrong) Don’t you get me wrong
(Don’t you get me wrong, now) Don’t you get me wrong

(Only want to know) Only want to know
(Only want to know, now) Only want to know
(Only want to know) Only want to know
(Only want to know, now) I only want to know

CHORUS
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you’re what they say you are?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you’re what they say you are?

Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you’re what they say you are?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you’re what they say you are?

CRUCIFIXION

JESUS
God forgive them
They don’t know what they’re doing

Who is my mother?
Where is my mother?

My God
My God
Why have you forgotten me?

I’m thirsty
I’m thirsty
Oh God I’m thirsty

It is finished
Father
Into your hands
I commend my spirit