Wat - Act 2
Overture to Act 2
Overture score
Scene 1: Burn Those Brothels Down
Outside London, morning
Wat:
We need to cross that London bridge,
But there's a permanent guard.
What do you think, Jack?
Jack:
Can we draw them away?
And you could slip through,
Then we could meet at the King's.
Wat:
A diversion? That might work.
Ooh, what's around?
Jack:
There's the warehouses -
Wat:
And brothels -
Both:
Outside of town:
Burn those brothels down.
Burn them to the ground.
Burn those brothels down.
Burn them to the ground.
Wat:
Take the men that you need,
But keep the death-toll down.
Try to be cool, Jack.
Jack:
When they come running,
Ooh, we'll retreat,
And then we'll sneak 'cross the bridge.
Wat:
In the city we'll send word
Ooh, to the Crown
For an audience -
Jack:
With Richard -
Both:
We're coming round -
Burn those brothels down.
Burn them to the ground.
Burn those brothels down.
Burn them to the ground.
Jack:
You know the Abbot lives nearby.
Ooh, what a clown.
Wat:
Let it go, Jack
Jack:
It's tempting -
Both:
To bring him down.Burns Those Brothels Down
Burn those brothels down etc (x2)
Scene 2: They're Just Across the Road
Court, late afternoon/evening
Walworth:
They're just across the road.
Let me call the men of London
And force them home.
Richard:
There's a lot of them.
Walworth:
Mere peasants, sire.
Richard:
And if you are defeated - what then?
Bampton:
Caution, sire. We're not certain yet of even what they want.
Walworth:
What do armies ever want? - Death.
Messenger enters
Messenger:
Sire, there's a message from the rebels for you.
Richard:
Let's hear it then.
Messenger:
"Dear King Richard, Please may we talk with you.
You're the only one who'll see our point of view.
The Government is full of selfish traitors,
And the Lords and religious leaders hate us.
We'd like to work with you to clean the whole thing up.
We're sure, like us, you've really had enough.
So please look kindly on our request.
All the best,
Wat Tyler."
Walworth:
Tell them to disperse before it's too late.
Bampton:
Wait.
They seem keen to negotiate.
Give your word that their claims shall be heard.
But first they must disperse -
(to Walworth) Then you can do your worst.
Richard:
And the danger to myself?
Walworth:
Intolerable -
Bampton:
Considerable - but the cost of civil war, execrable
And may not be necessary.
The King is a man of his people, not accessory.
Walworth:
Blasphemy!
Richard:
Actually, the message seems polite,
And a noble sentiment
To disinfect the Government.
Perhaps there is no need for a fight.
Walworth:
They're peasants, sire,
They want to destroy us.
Do we sit and chat to them like old friends?
Bampton:
That depends on what we say.
The peasants are fools:
If they'd wanted to, they could've killed us already.
But they fear the King,
And God's reprisals his murder would bring.
We must use him, if he's willing.
Richard:
I'll have a decision in the morning.They're Just Across the Road
They're Just Across the Road score
Scene 3a: Hey Abbot
Abbot's place, next morning.
Rebels:
Hey Abbot,
Better get out here.
Get yourself out here.
Hey Abbot,
Get yourself out here.
Better get out here.
We'll be having a chat,
Be talking to Richard and his fat rat-pack
Abbot:
They drive me insane.
Rebels:
When the King comes in he'll change everything:
New top-drawer law for the poor's in store.
Rebels:
They've been dreaming again.
Rebels:
Hey Abbot,Hey Abbot
Come on down.
Hey Abbot,
Or get out of town.
Hey Abbot score
Scene 3b: Ho Hum
(same scene)
Abbot:
Ho hum, the annual peasant fun.
It's getting to be just a little tiresome.
Oh, every year or so,
They come around to overthrow
The system as we know it -
I s'pose it's dog-has-his-day stuff.
Boring: here, tie me up.
You'd think they'd think of something unique.
But no, I do believe that really they just go through the motions,
Every year the regular radical notions -
Just a good excuse to miss their daily devotions -
But must I always be the butt of their joke?
Rebels:
Oh boy, you think you're smart.
I bet you know your lines by now, by heart.
But this is not routine,
We've come around to make you clean
The system as you know it -
No more roll-in-the-hay stuff.
Boring? Well, we'll see.
You'll think again when you're in purgatory.
Because just around the corner are
The King's new laws.
No more slave labour
Solo rebel:
Hey man, choice!
All rebels:
Everybody's neighboursSolo rebel:
And you can do your chores.
All rebels:
So do yourself a favour and agree because
We are peaceful law-abiding folk -
Solo rebel:
God-fearing, mother-loving blokes -
All rebels:
But we're in business now,Ho Hum
And we don't aim to go broke,
And revolutions really aren't a joke.
Ho Hum score
Scene 4a: Final Straw
Court, same morning
Walworth:
Well, this must be the final straw -
They're outside our door.
Richard:
How could peasants attack?
Bampton:
Poetic fiction becomes ugly fact.
Richard:
The Tower's still secure.
Walworth:
How, Sire, can you be sure of that?
Richard:
But what shall we do, before we're over-run?
Walworth:
Fight! It's what your father would have done -
And you're his son.
Bampton:
But we're out-numbered:
It must be fifty to one.
Walworth:
If we kill a few, the rest are bound to run.
Bampton:
Some, perhaps, but not everyone.
Look, all I'm saying is think this through.
Because once you choose,
There is no turning back.
Richard:
How do you reason with maniacs?
Walworth:
I still say they must die.
Bampton:
No, sir, and let me tell you why.Final Straw
Final Straw score
Scene 4b: It Seems
(same scene)
Walworth:
Oom bah (throughout)
Bampton:
It seems
Richard:
(It seems)
Bampton:
That they would like to talk with you.
Richard:
(They'd like to talk with me.)
Bampton:
And we haven't much choice no more.
Richard:
(No more.)
Bampton:
Well, let them have their little chat -
But talk back.
Agree
Richard:
(Agree says he.)
Bampton:
And you could go free.
Richard:
(You could go free, you could go free.)
Bampton:
Say yes to whatever they want,
And we might stand a chance
Of avoiding the chop,
Seeing this country
Richard:
(And you and me)
Bampton:
Go to rot.Richard:
Give them laws -
(Yeah!)
Bampton:
You're the King, they listen to you.
Richard:
(Do be do do do be)
Bampton:
And when you've championed their cause
Richard:
(Of course.)
Bampton:
It can all come back.
Richard:
(It's a fact.)
Bampton:
It's a fact: A man's word's not worth what it used to be.
Richard:
(In times of adversity)
Bampton:
It's political dance
That'll best put a stop
To the rural block
Richard:
(They'll take the lot!)
Bampton:
Seizing this country
Richard:
(And you and me)
Bampton:
And dragging it off.
Richard:
Oh sure, that's easy for you to say
Bampton:
(I like to get my own way)
Richard:
Like puppets on a string
They'll swallow everything -
Bampton:
All it needs is tact.
Richard:
And if they're unimpressed
And they mistreat their guest
Richard:
It's a risk -
Walworth:
Still time for the fist -
Bampton:
But reason insistsIt Seems
That there's not.
It Seems score
Scene 5a: Troubled
Outside palace, later that day.
Ball:
You look troubled, my son.
Wat:
There's been no word from the King.
Ball:
Have patience.
His advisers will be counselling him.
Wat:
You're right.
It's the men I'm concerned for.
Jack's at the Abbot's.
If he creates a stir,
It's the sort of mis-adventure
That could get out of hand
And topple this whole venture.
Ball:
Most likely, he's just frightening him.Jack enters with Messenger.
He's too smart for an all-out attack.
Wat:
Jack!
Jack:
Wat, there's a message from King Richard for you.
Wat:
Great news.
Messenger:
"To Wat Tyler, leader of the peasants.
I refer to your request
For an audience with me,
To air your concerns directly.
You are hereby granted leave
To make your peasant plea
And bid you appear, accordingly,
Tomorrow, at two o'clock,
At Smithfield,
The King."
Rebels:
The King.
Messenger:
The King.
Ball:
This is good news.
Let us pray that the King shall show compassion
And things shall go our way.
Wat:
Please tell the King
We shall meet him,
And we're all looking forward to a great historic day.
Jack:
Tomorrow, at two o'clock
Wat:
At Smithfield,
Ball:
The King.
Rebels:
The King.
Wat:
The King.Troubled
Troubled score
Scene 5b: Prayer
(same scene)
John Ball:
John Ball greteth well all manner of men,
And biddeth them in the name of the trinitie:
Father, son, and hold ghost.
Stand man-like together in truth,
And helpe truth, and truth shall helpe you,
Amen.
Rebels:
Amen.Prayer
Prayer score
Scene 6: What Shall I Do?
Katherine's room
Katherine:
Vivienne, what shall I do?
I don't want to be Queen.
I'd rather live or die with Wat.
Vivienne:
Hush, Katherine.
Things may change.
Who knows how this will play out?
Katherine:
Vivienne, I think Father has some trouble in store.
Vivienne:
Katherine, can you be sure?
Walworth (enters):
Vivienne, I'd like a moment with your sister.
Please leave us.
(Vivienne exits)
What Shall I Do?
What Shall I Do? score
I hope you've reconsidered.
Katherine:
Father, I cannot marry Richard.
I don't love him.
Walworth:
Do you think I loved your mother at first?
In time, things change,
You'll see.
Haven't I always given you everything?
Since your mother died I've done my best for you.
Everything you've wanted, everything you need,
Making every chance you might succeed.
Katherine:
I never asked for this -
Walworth:
From an early age you've been ungrateful,
Katherine:
You've been the one with all the plans.
Walworth:
Never satisfied with what I've done for you.
Katherine:
We never really talk.
Walworth:
Can you be so foolish?
Katherine:
Can't you see?
Walworth:
Can you be so blind?
Katherine:
This is your ambition - not mine.
Walworth:
Enough.Reconsidered
Preparations are already underway.
When this peasant business is over,
You'll have your wedding day.
Reconsidered score
Scene 7: Good Evening My Lady
Joan's room, Tower
Walworth:
Good evening, my lady.
Joan:
You, what do you want? How dare you come in here?
Walworth:
I think it's time we made more of our acquaintance.
Joan:
Stay away from me.
I've told you before I've no wish to see you.
Walworth:
You'll come around in time.
I can be patient for a while.
Joan:
Don't touch me or I'll call the guard.
Walworth:
Ah ha ha ha ha!
Ah ha ha ha ha!
There's no-one to save you now -
And I shall have what I want.
Joan:
Guard! Guard!
Walworth (to guard):
Stay where you are.Good Evening My Lady
I shall come again, my lady.
Good Evening My Lady score
Scene 8: Richard's Dressing
Richard's room, Tower
Richard:
Dear God,Richard's Dressing
Please give me strength to meet Wat Tyler and his rebel men.
Help me keep my wits about me,
Gain their trust and promise everything,
And forgive me when it's really all a lie.
Oh God,
Give me the power to dupe these peasant fools and if they cry
Please make sure I show no mercy.
Let them think that they'll get everything,
Don't condemn me when I say that they will die.
My God,
Give me the glory that's my birthright and my destiny,
As I make my reputation
As a bold and most courageous king.
Exalt me, and raise me on high.
Richard's Dressing score
Scene 9a (optional): Poll-tax Unfair
Smithfield
Wat:
Your Highness, the poll-tax is unfair.Poll-tax Unfair
A trifle for the rich, hardship for the peasants,
But it's not just this.
A serf can't learn a trade,
Is not allowed on what is really public land to hunt or fish
To feed his family.
He works like a slave for the Lord
In return for a pittance.
Even when he dies, the Lord takes his best animal, if he has one,
And the Church takes more than its fair share
Of what little he's earned.
They say it's for the sins he'd have committed
Had he continued to live.
Sire, we have a plan,
And here it is.
Poll-tax Unfair score
Scene 9b: One King
(same scene)
Wat:
We respectfully submit this list,Rebels:
For your consideration.
Full pardon for all rebels,
The right to live and hunt in peace,
The merchant guilds, a closed shop,
Be open to everyone.
And the land and goods of the Church
To be divided among the people,
Local government, with local police.
An end - a final blow - to the serf-style system,
Equality amongst all, except yourself.
One King,
One King.Wat:
One Commons.Rebels:
He is chosen by God to rule us all.
One King,
One King.Wat/Rebels:
One Commons.Repeat from 'An End'.
He is chosen by God to rule us all.
One King
One King score
Scene 9c: Wisdom
(same scene)
Richard:
Ah, the wisdom of a righteous man, and insight.Wisdom
You'll have new laws, my friends,
You deserve them, all right.
Bring clerks,
Or anyone who can write.
No doubt it's been grim,
But things look bright.
Wisdom score
Scene 9d: Serfdom
(same scene)
Richard:
Okay, serfdom is for sure on the floor -Wat:
It's no more -
Monopolies are outlawed.
It's the end of the great land-ownership fraud.
Traitors will be broken in two -
It's true -
Taxes for review:
Submissions invited from each one of you.
Now I'm a man of my word.
If you've something to tell me
Then it'll be heard.
Any problems just bring them to me -
Do do do be.
Now I know that rebellion's my brief -Serfdom
But good grief -
This guy's a freak.
Is this the end of King-as-God mystique?
He says, "Sure" to all we've asked for -
More -
Great time to be poor!
I do believe big change is now in store.
Gotta tell ya,
I am just so impressed.
For centuries, peasants 've been treated as pests.
Now Richard has promised they're welcome as guests,
If not family.
Serfdom score
Scene 9e: We Knew
(same scene)
Wat/Rebels:
We knew, we knew,(Repeat)
We knew you'd come through.
We knew, we knew,
That you'd make our dream come true.
Solo: (any peasant)
When the chips are down and you're feelin' blue,
Abandoned and alone,
Now you know just what to do:
See the man on the throne.
Rebels:
Na na na (etc).
Solo:
If you want to make your dream come true
'T's not easy on your own.
Don't despair, see you-know-who:
The man on the throne.
All:
We knew, we knew (etc - repeat)
Scene 9f: Go Home
(same scene)
Wat:
Well, my friends, it's the end of our rainbow.
We've got all that we came here for.
From this day, it's a new beginning.
Let's go home.
All:
Well, my friends, it's the end of our rainbow.(Repeat)
We've got all that we came here for.
From this day, it's a new beginning.
Let's go home.
We Knew, Go Home
We Knew score
Go Home score
Scene 9g: Betrayal
(same scene)
Wat:
I'll remain behind to collect the new laws
And seek leave to see the King once more.
Oh, Katherine, it won't be long now.
Jack:
Good luck, Wat.(leaves)
Katherine:
Wat, thank God I've found you.
You're in great danger.
Wat:
Katherine, the King has agreed to everything,
And now I shall ask for your hand.
Katherine:
Ah, there isn't time to explain,
But if you remain here,
King's soldiers gonna kill you.
It's a trap.
Wat:
Trap?
Katherine:
It's a trap.
Wat:
But why would he do that?
Katherine:
Because he's a swine without shame,
His promises worthless.
You must believe me - fly.
Wat:
My men -
Where are the other rebels?
Katherine:
Running for their lives.
Wat:
Jack and John Ball -
I need to find them.
Katherine:
This is crazy.
There's no time at all.
Wat:
There may yet be time to rally after all.
Katherine:
Wat, you're not listening to me.Jack enters
Wat:
Jack, you're wounded.
Are you all right?
What happened?
Jack:
Almost as soon as we left you,
They hit us from all sides.
Happy and fresh from our triumph,
We were in no shape to fight.
They had clearly planned it from the start.
All the things they promised - there's no chance.
The King is a lying, selfish man.
We can never trust him again.
Wat:
All our fellow rebels may have gone.
Yet with John Ball, we shall carry on.
Take strength from the message he has spread.
Jack:
Wat, John Ball, our old friend, is dead.Rebels enter carrying John Ball's body. (next section optional)
Rebels:
Ah, our captain is slain.Go Home, Betrayal
He will never lead us again.
Does he die in vain?
Where there's freedom he'll live again.
Betrayal score
Scene 9h: Scatter
(same scene)
Wat:
We must scatter.
You men, take his body home.
Travel quietly, in small groups.
Don't worry, they'll be wanting rebel leaders most likely.
Jack, can you walk?
Jack:
I'm fine.
Wat:
You'll come with me.
We'll get you fixed up.
I have friends in the city,
We'll lay low for a while.
Jack:
We can't return home, Wat.
Wat:
I know, not while Richard reigns.
When you're recovered, we'll make for Spain.
Katherine:
Wat.
Wat:
Katherine...
I can't ask you to give up your home, your family.
Katherine:
There's no need.
If I'm to be Queen with the Clown Prince of Foolishness,
I secede.
Wat:
It could be many years abroad, in hiding.
Katherine:
I know.
But we will be free as long as we're - anywhere -
Both:
Together - let's go!
Scene 10: Rebel Scum
Another part of the city
Walworth:
The rebel scumScatter, Rebel Scum
Have come undone.
I'm giving you official permission
For a personal self-styled inquisition.
Have an axe, hand them around.
No more peasant attacks while I'm running this town.
Don't be shy to crucify.
Go forth and hack, maim, and kill -
Or die.
Scatter score
Rebel Scum score
Scene 11: Wedding
Street scene
Nurse:
Katherine, it's not safe for you, here.
Katherine:
Don't worry, Nurse.
We still have many friends such as you.
Please tell Vivienne she'll make a wonderful Queen.
We'll see her again, some day.
We are very happy together, and she's not to worry.
Nurse:
My child, I shall gladly give her your love.
Wat:
Thank you, Nurse. You're very understanding.
Nurse:
Would that things had turned out differently.
Katherine:
Goodbye, dear friend. Goodbye.
Wat/Kath:
Goodbye.All:
Goodbye.People:
Now are we all blessed,
The King has found a bride.
Loving life companion,
Best friend by his side.
Now are we all blessed,
For we have gained a Queen.
Most kind and gentle we've ever seen,
Most kind and gentle we've ever seen.
Females:
May they be blessed with children
And shower them with love.
Males:
May they rule with wisdom
In God above.
All:
May they build a happy home.Backdrop lifts to reveal church, the villagers become the congregation.
May they live long and healthy
And reign in peace;
Live long and healthy
And reign in peace.
Sudbury:
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today
To join this man and woman in the holy communion of marriage.
If anyone here has any reason why they should not marry,
Let him speak now or forever hold his peace.
Do you, Richard, take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife,
To have and to hold, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health,
For the rest of your life, for as long as you both shall live?
Richard:
I do.
Sudbury:
And do you, Vivienne, take this man to be your lawful wedded husband,
To have and to hold, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health,
For the rest of your life, for as long as you both shall live?
Vivienne:
I do.
Sudbury:
Then, by the power vested in me by this office,
I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may kiss the bride.
People:
Now are we all blessed,Wedding
The King has found a bride.
Loving life companion.
Best friend by his side.
Now are we all blessed,
For we have gained a Queen.
Most kind and gentle we've ever seen,
Most kind and gentle we've ever seen.
Wedding score
Scene 12: There is a Place
Open
Wat:
It's hard to say where things went wrong.
In the end, did we take too long?
Did they have our number all along
Or did they get lucky?
We really had them going for a while.
Talk of revolution used to make them smile.
Funny how freedom's still in style,
Such a simple thing.
There is a place in time
Where Lords and serfs have been left behind,
Each free to seek and find
Almost anything.
People always saying, 'Give your best',
You got to take advantage of what chance you get,
But it never really turns out how you expect -
Not to worry.
We really had them going for a while.
Talk of revolution used to make them smile.
Freedom will always be in style,
Such a simple thing.
All:
There is a place in time(Repeat)
Where Lords and serfs have been left behind,
Each free to seek and find
Almost anything.
There is a Place in Time
There is a Place in Time score
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