1. The Workhouse He sets off for the workhouse
Past the school he used to go
He shuffles through the darkness
He shuffles through the snow Chorus: Keep walking up to that hill He drags himself in sorrow
He pulls himself in rags
At 5 am the streets contain
Just vagrants, dogs and rats. From every street of darkness
The taunts and mockings came
As people stared, and boys declared
They’d taunt him just the same The station bridge - he’s halfway there
The steam of early trains
Reminds him of a far-off place
And serves to ease his pains. The Union workhouse comes in sight
St. Peter’s church nearby;
He drags his weary shape inside
Collapsing with a sigh. He’ll work from six ‘til six again
His fingers fuelled by fright;
And all for soup and day-old bread
And a dry bed for the night. Keep walking up to that hill (repeat) 2. On The Move Workhouse supervisor: “I`m sorry Joseph
You gotta leave the workhouse.
You’ve been ‘ere this past fortnight
It’s time to move on boy.” Narrator: “Nowhere to go, nowhere to stay,
Don’t make any plans, you’re moving away.” 3. The Match-Seller Joseph: “Will you buy some matches, sir?
Some matches - only a ha’penny a box.
Sir, sir, you’ll buy some matches won’t you , sir?
Only a ha’penny a box -
Just two farthings (oh)
Sir - matches - shall you buy some matches?
Guaranteed to work, strike ev’ry time, yes sir -
Oh thank you, thank you.
You are most kind - to an unfortunate” 4. To Sleep Like Others What can it harm, to rest my head
As others do upon their bed
For just one night of perfect sleep
To close my eyes and count the sheep.
A chance to dream, as others do,
Perchance to dream, a dream of you
And could I make myself anew
I would not fail in pleasing you.
The heavy burden that I bear
Is no crown any man should wear,
I know my form is something odd
But blaming me is blaming God. And could I make myself anew
I would not fail in pleasing you. 5. Time To Move On Time -
Time to move on -
Leave my home town and the workhouse -
And try my luck in - - - in London. Time -
Time to move on -the big city of London
Find a showman, or a circus,
Maybe find some peace and kindness.
Who knows? Time - time to move on. 6. Roll Up! Roll Up! Showman: “Roll up! Roll up! Ladies and Gentlemen....
Come and see the most remarkable, the most terrifying sight,
In all of London town.
Can you stand to watch him?? I give you - the Elephant Man!!” Audience: (Gasps) “Oh no! Oh God!”
“I’ve seen enough, I want to go!”
“ Me too!” Joseph: “I am not an animal . . . . I am a man!” 8. Cold Nights Cold nights (repeated)
Sleeping rough in doorways filled with rain.
Cold nights.
Suffering the prejudice and pain. Tramp: “’Ere! Who are you? Get away from my bed!”
Joseph: “I’m sorry, I’ve been sleeping here lately.”
Tramp: “ Well you’re not going to now - clear off!!” 9. Chased 1st man: “That way! Down there! Catch him!”
2nd man: “The man with the big head!”
Joseph: “Oh why won’t they leave me alone?
I just want to be left alone.” 11. Bedstead Square
(words attributed to Joseph Merrick)
‘Tis true my form is something odd
But blaming me is blaming God.
Could I create myself anew
I would not fail in pleasing you.
If I could reach from Pole to Pole,
Or grasp the ocean with a span,
I would be measured by the soul,
The mind’s the standard of the man. 12. My Beautiful Room My beautiful room has a window,
My beautiful room has a chair,
I feel like a prince in a castle of treasures
And beautiful gifts are everywhere.
I’ll have lots of friends and invite them to visit
My card, if you please, for supper at eight!
I’ll dance with the ladies, and smoke with the gents,
The air will be gay, with their perfumes and scent. |
