Jesus Christ Superstar
Libretto - Act 2


THE LAST SUPPER

Thursday night, The Last Supper

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 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 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 For now I despise you

JESUS
You liar - you Judas

JUDAS
You want 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!

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 all because of you
And now 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
A jaded faded mandarin

JESUS
Get out! They're waiting! 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

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


GETHSEMANE (I only want to say)

In the Garden of 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 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 wanna know I'd wanna know my God
I'd wanna see I'd wanna see my God
Why I should die

Would I be more noticed than I was ever 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 see I'd have to see my Lord
If I die what will be my reward?
I'd have to know I'd have to know my Lord
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 and not so hot on why
Alright I'll die!
Just watch me die!
See how I 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 the 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
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening

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 sword
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 at 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'll just love the High Priests' house
You'll just love seeing Caiaphas
You'll just die in the High Priest's house

Now we have him ! Now we have got him!

CAIAPHAS
Jesus you must realise 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
There you have it gentlemen - what more evidence do we need?
Judas thank you for the victim - stay a while and you'll see it bleed!

CROWD
Now we have him I Now we have got him Take him to Pilate


PETER'S DENIAL

MAID BY THE FIRE
I think I've seen you somewhere - I remember
You were with that man they took away I recognise 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 denied

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 MAGDALENE
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 MAGDALENE
It's what he told us you would do - I wonder how he knew….


Friday

PILATE AND CHRIST

PILATE
Who is this broken man cluttering up my hallway? Who is this unfortunate?

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

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 then you need not come to me
You're Herod's race! You're Herod's case!

MOB
Ho-ho Sanna Hey Sanna Sanna Sanna Ho
Sanna Hey Sanna Ho and how
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
And 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 and I'll know it's all true
C'mon King of the Jews

Jesus you just won't believe the hit you've made round here
You are all we talk about 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 you are the Christ you're 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 things I'd ask any superstar
What is it that you have got that puts you where you are?
I am waiting yes I'm a captive fan
I am 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? Why do you take so long?
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 Jews! Get out of my life


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?

I'd 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 or
Could we start again please?

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?

ALL
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?

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 please?
Could we start again please?
Could we start again please?
Could we start again?


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 gonna blame
I don't believe he knows I acted for our good
I'd save him all this suffering if I could
Don't believe.. . our good . . save him ... if I could

PRIEST 3
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 vengeance
The mob turned against him - you 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 shall be dragged through the slime and the mud
I have been spattered with innocent blood
I shall 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?
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!

CHOIR
Poor old Judas
So long Judas


TRIAL BEFORE PILATE

(including 39 lashes)

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

CAIAPHAS
We turn 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
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

MOB
Talk to me Jesus Christ

JESUS
There may be a Kingdom for me somewhere - if I only knew

PILATE
Then you're 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?

MOB
Crucify him! Crucify him!

PILATE
What do you mean? You'd crucify your King?

MOB
We have no King but Caesar!

PILATE
He's done no wrong - no not the slightest thing

MOB
We have no King but Caesar! Crucify him!

PILATE
Well this is new - respect for Caesar -Till now this has been noticeably lacking
Who is this Jesus? Why is he different?
You Jews produce Messiahs by the sackful

MOB
We need him crucified - it's all you have to do
We need him crucified-it's all you have to do

PILATE
Talk to me Jesus Christ
Look at your Jesus Christ
I'll agree he's mad - ought to be locked up
But that is not a reason to destroy him
He's a sad little man
Not a King or God
Not a thief - I need a crime

MOB
Kill him he says he's God - a blasphemer
He'll conquer you and us and even Caesar
Crucify him!
Crucify him!

PILATE
Behold the man
Behold your shattered King

MOB
We have no King but Caesar

PILATE
You hypocrites
You hate us more than him

MOB
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

MOB
Crucify him! Crucify him!
Crucify! Crucify! Crucify! Crucify!
Crucify him! Crucify him!
Crucify! Crucify! Crucify! Crucify!
Crucify him! Crucify him!
Crucify! Crucify! Crucify! Crucify!

(Thirty nine lashes)

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?

MOB
Pilate! Crucify him! Crucify!
Remember Caesar - you have a duty
To keep the peace so crucify him!
Remember Caesar - you'll be demoted
You'll be deported Crucify him!
Remember Caesar - you have a duty
To keep the peace so crucify him!
Remember Caesar - you'll be demoted
You'll be deported Crucify him!
Remember Caesar - you have a duty
To keep the peace so crucify him!
Remember Caesar - you'll be demoted
You'll be deported Crucify him!

PILATE
Don't let me stop your great self-destruction
Die if you want to you misguided martyr
I wash my hands of your demolition
Die if you want to you innocent puppet!


SUPERSTAR

VOICE OF 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
Why'd you choose such a backward time and such a strange land?
If you'd come today you would have reached a whole nation
Israel in 4 BC had no mass communication
Don't you get me wrong - I only want to know

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

VOICE OF JUDAS
Tell me what you think of your friends at the top
Who d'you think besides yourself's 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 - I only want to know

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


THE 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 am thirsty
It is finished
Father into your hands I commend my spirit


JOHN NINETEEN FORTY-ONE

 

Heaven On Their Minds