1.Akt
Heaven On Their Minds
JUDAS
My mind is clearer now.
At last all too well I can see where we all soon will be.
If you strip away the myth from the man,
You will see where we all soon will be.
Jesus!
You’ve started to believe
The things they say of you.
You really do believe
This talk of God is true.
All all the good you’ve done
Will soon get swept away.
You’ve begun to matter more than the things you say.
Listen Jesus I don’t like what I see.
All I ask is that you listen to me.
And remember, I’ve been your right hand man all along.
You have set them all on fire.
They think they’ve found the new Messiah,
And they’ll hurt you when they find they’re wrong.
I remember when this whole thing began.
No talk of God then, we called you a man.
And believe me, my admiration for you hasn’t died.
But every word you say today
Get’s twisted ’round some other way.
And they’ll hurt you if they think you’ve lied.
Nazareth, your famous son should have stayed a great unknown
Like his father carving wood
He’d have made good.
Tables, chairs, and oaken chest would have suited Jesus best.
He’d have caused nobody harm, no-one alarm.
Listen Jesus, do you care for your race?
Don’t you see we must keep in our place?
We are occupied; have you forgotten how put down we are?
And our conquerors object
To another noise sect
And they’ll crush us if we go too far.
If we go too far
Listen Jesus, to the warning I give.
Please remember that I want us to live.
But it’s sad to see our chances weakening with every hour.
All your followers are blind.
Too much heaven on their minds.
It was beautiful but now it’s sour.
Yes it’s all gone sour……
What’s the Buzz
APOSTLES
What’s the buzz? Tell me what’s happening.
JESUS
Why should you want to know?
Don’t you mind about the future?
Don’t you try to think ahead?
Save tomorrow for tomorrow.
Think about today instead.
APOSTLES
What’s the buzz? Tell me what’s happening.
JESUS
I could give you facts and figures.
I could give you plans and forecasts.
Even tell you where I’m going.
APOSTLES
When do we ride into Jerusalem?
JESUS
Why should you want to know?
Why are you obsessed with fighting
Times and fates you can’t defy?
If you knew the path we’re riding,
You’d understand it less than I.
APOSTLES
What’s the buzz? Tell me what’s happening.
MARY MAGDALENE
Let me try to cool down your face a bit.
JESUS
That feels nice, so nice….
Mary that is good –
While you prattle through your supper –
Where and when and who and how
She alone has tried to give me
What I need right here and now.
APOSTLES
What’s the buzz? Tell me what’s happening.
Strange Thing Mystifying
JUDAS
It seems to me a strange thing, mystifying
That a man like you could waste his time on women of her kind.
Yes, I can understand that she amuses,
But to let her stroke you, kiss your hair, is hardly in your line.
It’s not that I object to her profession,
But she doesn’t fit in well, with what you teach and say.
It doesn’t help us if you’re inconsistent.
They only need a small excuse to put us all away.
JESUS
Who are you to criticize her?
Who are you to despise her?
Leave her, leave her let her be now.
Leave her, leave her, she’s with me now.
If your slate is clean, then you can throw stones.
If your slate is not, then leave her alone.
I’m amazed that men like you can be so shallow, thick and slow.
There is not a man among you who knows or cares if I come or go.
ALL (save Judas and Jesus)
No, you’re wrong! You’re very wrong!
No, you’re wrong, You’re very wrong!
How can you say that?
How can you say that!?
JESUS
Not one, not one of you!
Everything’s Alright
MARY MAGDALENA
Try not to get worried, try not to turn on to
Problems that upset you, oh.
Don’t you know
Everything’s alright, yes, everything’s fine,
And we want you to sleep well tonight.
Let the world turn without you tonight.
If we try, we’ll get by, so forget all about us tonight.
APOSTLES’ WIVES
Everything’s alright, yes, everything’s alright, yes.
MARY MAGDALENA
Sleep and I shall soothe you, calm you, and anoint you…
Myrrh for your hot forehead, oh.
Then you’ll feel
Everything’s alright, yes, everything’s fine.
And it’s cool, and the ointment’s sweet
For the fire in your head and feet.
Close your eyes, close your eyes
And relax, think of nothing tonight.
APOSTLES’ WIVES
Everything’s alright, yes, everything’s alright, yes.
JUDAS
Woman your fine ointment, brand new and expensive
Could have been saved for the poor.
Why has it been wasted? We could have raised maybe
Three hundred silver pieces or more.
People who are hungry, people who are starving
They matter more than your feet and hair.
MARY MAGDALENA
Try not to get worried, try not to turn on to
Problems that upset you, oh.
Don’t you know
Everything’s alright, yes, everything’s fine,
And we want you to sleep well tonight.
Let the world turn without you tonight.
If we try, we¹ll get by, so forget all about us tonight.
APOSTLES’ WIVES
Everything’s alright, yes, everything’s alright, yes.
JESUS
Surely you’re not saying we have the resources
To save the poor from their lot?
There will be poor always, pathetically struggling
Look at the good things you’ve got.
Think while you still have me!
Move while you still see me!
You’ll be lost, you’ll be so sorry when I’m gone.
MARY MAGDALENA
Sleep and I shall soothe you, calm you and anoint you…
Myrrh for your hot forehead, oh.
Then you’ll feel
Everything’s alright, yes, everything’s fine.
And it’s cool and the ointment’s sweet
For the fire in your head and feet.
Close your eyes, close your eyes, and relax….
APOSTLES’ WIVES
Everything’s alright, yes, everything’s alright, yes……
And The We Are Decided
(Included only in the motion picture)
CAIAPHAS
We’ve been sitting on the fence for far too long.
ANNAS
Why let him upset us? Caiaphas, let him be.
All those imbeciles will see he really doesn’t matter.
CAIAPHAS
But Jesus is important! We’ve let him go his way before.
And while he starts a major war, we theorize and chatter.
ANNAS
He’s just another scripture thumping hack from Galilee.
CAIAPHAS
The difference is they call him King. The difference frightens me.
What about the Roman’s? When they see Jesus crowned
Do you think they’ll stand around cheering and applauding?
What about our people? If they see we’ve lost our nerve,
Don’t you think that they deserve something more rewarding?
ANNAS
They’ve got what they want. They think so anyway.
If he’s what they want, why take their toy away?
CAIAPHAS
Put yourself in my place.
I cannot let my hands be tied. I am law and order.
What about our priesthood? Don’t you see that we could fall?
If we are to last at all, we cannot be divided.
ANNAS
Then say so to the council, but don’t rely on subtlety.
Frighten them, or they won’t see.
CAIAPHAS
Then we are decided?
ANNAS
Then we are decided.
This Jesus Must Die
PRIEST 1
Good Caiaphas, the council waits for you.
The Pharisees and priests are here for you.
CAIAPHAS
Ah, gentlemen, you know why we are here.
We’ve not much time, and quite a problem here.
MOB (outside)
Hosanna! Superstar!
Hosanna! Superstar!
ANNAS
Listen to the howling mob of blockheads in the street!
A trick or two with lepers, and the whole towns on its feet.
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
MOB (outside)
Jesus Christ …Superstar!
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
MOB (outside)
Tell us that you’re who they say you are!
PRIEST 2
The man is in town right now to whip up some support
PRIEST 3
A rabble rousing mission that I think we should abort.
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
MOB (outside)
Jesus Christ Superstar!
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
PRIEST 2
Look Caiaphas -they’re right outside our yard!
PRIEST 3
Quick Caiaphas-go call the Roman guard!
CAIAPHAS
No wait!
We need a more permanent solution to our problem.
ANNAS
What then to do about Jesus of Nazareth?
Miracle wonderman, hero of fools.
PRIEST 3
No riots, no army, no fighting, no slogans…..
CAIAPHAS
One thing I’ll say for him – Jesus is cool.
ANNAS
We dare not leave him to his own devices.
His half-witted fans will get out of control.
PRIEST 3
But how can we stop him? His glamour increases
By leaps every minute, he’s top of the poll.
CAIAPHAS
I see bad things arising.
The crowd crown him king; which the Romans would ban.
I see blood and destruction,
Our elimination because of one man.
Blood and destruction because of one man.
ALL (inside)
Because, because, because of one man.
CAIAPHAS
Our elimination because of one man.
ALL (inside)
Because, because, because of one, ’cause of one, ’cause of one, ’cause of one man.
PRIEST 3
What then to do about this Jesusmania?
ANNAS
How do we deal with this carpenter king?
PRIEST 3
Where do we start with a man who is bigger
Than John was when John did his baptism thing?
CAIAPHAS
Fools! You have no perception!
The stake we are gambling are frighteningly high.
We must crush him completely,
So like John before him, this Jesus must die.
For the sake of the nation, this Jesus must die.
ALL (inside)
Must die, must die, this Jesus must die.
CAIAPHAS
So like John before him, this Jesus must die
ALL (inside)
Must die, must die, this Jesus must, Jesus must, Jesus must die!
Hosanna
CROWD
Hosanna Heysanna Sanna Sanna Ho
Sanna Hey Sanna Ho Sanna
Hey JC, JC won’t you smile at me?
Sanna Ho Sanna Hey Superstar
CAIAPHAS
Tell the rabble to be quiet, we anticipate a riot.
This common crowd is much too loud.
Tell the mob who sing your song that they are fools and they are wrong.
They are a curse. They should disperse.
CROWD
Hosanna Heysanna Sanna Sanna Ho
Sanna Hey Sanna Ho Sanna
Hey JC, JC you’re alright by me.
Sanna Ho Sanna Hey Superstar
JESUS
Why waste your breath moaning at the crowd?
Nothing can be done to stop the shouting.
If every tongue were still the noise would still continue.
The rocks and stones themselves would start to sing:
CROWD and JESUS
Hosanna Heysanna Sanna Sanna Ho
Sanna Hey Sanna Ho Sanna
Hey JC, JC won’t you fight for me?
Sanna Ho Sanna Hey Superstar
JESUS
Sing me your songs, but not for me alone.
Sing them for yourselves for you are blessed
There is not one of you who cannot win the Kingdom:
The slow, the suffering, the quick, the dead.
CROWD and JESUS
Hosanna Heysanna Sanna Sanna Ho
Sanna Hey Sanna Ho Sanna
Hey JC, JC won’t you die for me?
Sanna Ho Sanna Hey Superstar
Simon Zealotes
CROWD
Christ you know I love you
Did you see I waved?
I believe in you and God
So tell me that I’m saved.
Christ you know I love you.
Did you see I waved?
I believe in you and God
So tell me that I’m saved.
Jesus I am with you.
Touch me, touch me, Jesus.
Jesus I am on your side.
Kiss me, kiss me, Jesus.
SIMON ZEALOTES
Christ, what more do you need to convince you
That you’ve made it, and you’re easily as strong
As the filth from Rome who rape our country,
And who’ve terrorized our people for so long.
CROWD
Christ you know I love you
Did you see I waved?
I believe in you and God
So tell me that I’m saved.
Christ you know I love you.
Did you see I waved?
I believe in you and God
So tell me that I’m saved.
Jesus I am with you.
Touch me, touch me, Jesus.
SIMON ZEALOTES
There must be over fifty thousand
Screaming love and more for you.
Everyone of fifty thousand
Would do whatever you asked them to.
Keep them yelling their devotion,
But add a touch of hate at Rome.
You will rise to a greater power.
We will win ourselves a home.
You will get the power and the glory.
Forever and and ever and ever.
Amen! Amen!
Poor Jerusalem
JESUS
Neither you, Simon, nor the fifty thousand,
Nor the Romans, nor the Jews,
Nor Judas, nor the twelve,
Nor the priests, nor the scribes,
Nor doomed Jerusalem itself,
Understand what power is,
Understand what glory is,
Understand at all…..
Understand at all.
If you knew all that I knew, my poor Jerusalem,
You’d see the truth, but you close your eyes…
But you close your eyes.
While you live your troubles are many, poor Jerusalem.
To conquer death, you only have to die….
You only have to die.
Pilate’s Dream
PILATE
I dreamed I met a Galilean,
A most amazing man.
He had that look you rarely find,
The haunted, hunted kind.
I asked him to say what had happened,
How it all began
I asked again – he never said a word.
As if he hadn’t heard.
And next, the room was full of wild and angry men.
They seemed to hate this man.
They fell on him him, and then,
They disappeared again.
Then I saw thousands of millions
Crying for this man
And then I heard then mentioning my name,
And leaving me the blame.
The Temple
MONEYCHANGERS and MERCHANTS
Roll on up, for my price is down.
Come on in for the best in town.
Take your pick on the finest wine
Lay your bets on this bird of mine.
Roll on up, for my price is down.
Come on in for the best in town.
Take your pick on the finest wine
Lay your bets on this bird of mine.
Name your price. I got everything.
Come and buy. It’s all going fast.
Borrow cash on the finest terms.
Hurry now while stocks last.
JESUS
My temple should be a house of prayer,
But you have made it a den of thieves.
Get out! Get out!
My time is almost through.
Little left to do.
After all, I’ve tried for three years
Seems like thirty…Seems like thirty.
CROWD
See my eyes, I can hardly see.
See me stand I can hardly walk.
I believe you can make me whole
See my tongue, I can hardly talk.
See my skin, I’m a mass of blood.
See my legs, I can hardly stand.
I believe you can make me well.
See my purse, I’m a poor, poor man.
Will you touch, will you mend me Christ?
Won’t you touch, will you heal me Christ?
Will you kiss, you can cure me Christ!
Won’t you kiss, won’t you pay me Christ?
JESUS
There’s too many of you…Don’t push me.
There’s too little of me…Don’t crowd me.
Heal yourselves!
Everything’s Alright
MARY MAGDALENA
Try not to get worried. Try not to turn on to
Problems that upset you, oh.
Don’t you know
Everything’s alright, yes, everything’s fine.
JESUS
And I think I shall sleep well tonight.
Let the world turn without me tonight.
MARY MAGDALENA
Close your eyes. Close your eyes,
And forget all about us tonight.
I Don’t Know How To Love Him
MARY MAGDALENA
I don’t know how to love him.
What to do, how to move him.
I’ve been changed, yes, really changed.
In these past few days, when I’ve seen myself,
I seem like someone else.
I don’t know how to take this.
I don’t see why he moves me.
He’s a man. He’s just a man.
And I’ve had so many many men before,
In very many ways.
He’s just one more.
Should I bring him down?
Should I scream and shout?
Should I speak of love,
Let my feelings out?
I never thought I’d come to this.
What’s it all about?
Don’t you think it’s rather funny,
I should be in this position.
I’m the one who’s always been
So calm, so cool, no lover’s fool.
Running every show.
He scares me so.
I never thought I’d come to this.
What’s this all about?
Yet, if he said he loved me,
I’d be lost. I’d be frightened.
I couldn’t cope, just couldn’t cope.
I’d turn my head. I’d back away.
I wouldn’t want to know.
He scares me so.
I want him so.
I love him so.
Damned for All Time
JUDAS
Now if I help you, it matters that you see
These sordid kinda things are coming hard to me.
It’s taken me some time to work out what to do.
I weighed the whole thing out before I came to you.
I had no thought of my own reward.
I really didn’t come here of my own accord.
Just don’t say I’m damned for all time.
I came because I had to; I’m the one who saw.
Jesus can’t control me like he did before.
And furthermore I know that Jesus thinks so too.
Jesus wouldn’t mind that I was here with you.
I had no thought at all about my own reward.
I really didn’t come here of my own accord.
Just don’t say I’m damned for all time.
Annas, you’re a friend, a worldly man and wise.
Caiaphas, my friend, I know you sympathize.
Why are we the prophets? Why are we the ones
Who see the sad solution – know what must be done?
I had no thought at all about my own reward.
I really didn’t come here of my own accord.
Just don’t say I’m damned for all time.
ANNAS
Cut the protesting, forget the excuses.
We want information. Get up off the floor.
CAIAPHAS
We have the papers we need to arrest him.
You know his movements. We know the law.
ANNAS
Your help in the matter won’t go unrewarded.
CAIAPHAS
We’ll pay you in silver, cash on the nail.
We just need to know where the soldiers can find him…
ANNAS
With no crowd around him….
CAIAPHAS
Then we can’t fail.
Blood Money
JUDAS
I don’t need your blood money!
CAIAPHAS
Oh, that doesn’t matter, our expenses are good.
JUDAS
I don’t want your blood money!
ANNAS
But you might as well take it. We think that you should.
CAIAPHAS
Think of the things you could do with that money,
Choose any charity – give to the poor.
We’ve noted your motives. We’ve noted your feelings.
This isn’t blood money – it’s a …
ANNAS
a fee……
CAIAPHAS
A fee nothing more.
JUDAS
On Thursday night you’ll find him where you want him:
Far from the crowd, in the Garden of Gethsemane.
TEMPTRESSES
Well done Judas.
Good old Judas.
END OF ACT 1