Billy Budd from Glyndebourne

MUSIC STARTS

# I am an old man

# Who has experienced much

# I have been a man of action and have fought for my King

# And country at sea

# I have also read books

# And studied and pondered

# And tried to fathom eternal truth

# Much good has been shown me

# And much evil

# And the good has never been perfect

# There is always some flaw in it Some defect

# Some imperfection in the divine image

# Some fault in the angelic song

# Some stammer in the divine speech

# So that the evil still has something to do

# With every human consignment to this planet of Earth

# Oh, what have I done?

# Oh, what, what have I done?

# Confusion

# So much is confusion!

# I have tried to guide others rightly

# But I have been lost

# On the infinite sea

# The infinite sea

# Who has blessed me? Who saved me?

# In the summer of 1797 In the French wars

# In the difficult and dangerous days after the Mutiny at the Nore

# In the days when I, Edward Fairfax Vere, commanded the Indomitable

# Pull, my bantams! Pull, my sparrow-legs!

# That's right! That's right!

# Pull with a will!

# Bend to it, damn you!

CHORUS: # O heave! O heave away, heave! O heave!

CHORUS: # O heave! O heave away, heave! O heave!

# Here is the spot, men!

# Look at the main deck!

# Stains on the deck of 74

# Get' em off, you idle brutes

# Belay! Belay! You bantams, belay!

# Up your anchors and forrard a fathom!

# Get them off! Move! Move!

CRACKS WHIP

CHORUS: # O heave! O heave away, heave! O heave!

CHORUS: # O heave! O heave away, heave! O heave!

# Hi, there! You, you are faking your pull!

# I'm sorry, sir, hurt me arm

# Can't help that, my man Can't help that

# Life's not all play upon a man-of-war

CHORUS: # O heave! O heave away, heave! O heave!

# Mr Bosun! Mr Bosun!

# Yes, sir!

# Hands to braces! Man the yards!

# Ay, ay, sir!

CHORUS: # O heave! O heave away, heave! O heave!

# Toplights down there, and scrub! Scrub!

# Toplights down, you swabs! Eyes on the deck!

# Can't idle, you know, men

# Life's not all play upon a man-of-war!

# Cocky young bastards! Send 'em back to mammy

# I'll mammy 'em! I'll mammy 'em!

# Teach 'em to play upon a man-of-war!

# Toplights down, you bantams!

# Toplights down! Pull with a will!

CHORUS: # O heave! O heave away, heave! O heave!

CHORUS: # O heave!

WHISTLE BLOWS

# All manned above! Yards manned!

# Lead those halyards aft - at the double!

# Halyards aft!

# Who did that?

# I did, I'm sorry

# Damned impertinence And can't you say sir?

# All right, I'm sorry, sir

# Don't you answer an officer back

# You take care, I've me eye on you You need a taste of the cat

# Ahoy there, deck!

# Stop belly-aching and hoist that yard

# Ay, ay, sir!

# Take your purchase and sway!

CHORUS: # And sway! And sway! And sway!

CHORUS: # And sway! And sway! And sway!

CHORUS: # And sway! And sway! And sway!

# Delay hoisting

# Belay there, don't lose!

# Don't move!

# Fall in forrard!

# You again, you novice!

# I didn't mean to slip, sir!

# That's done for you! I'll teach you!

# Seems I can't do anything right here

# Squeak!

# Yes, sir

# Take this man away and list him for 20 strokes

# See it's done at once

# Yes, sir! Yes, sir!

# Sir, no! Not me!

# Yes, you

# Don't have me flogged I can't bear it, not flogging!

# Forrard, you!

# Not flogging! Not that!

# Not that!

# Toplights down there!

# Pay attention, you! Take your bibles and get forrard!

# If anyone else wants the cat He can go slipping

# Get forrard! Get forrard! Get forrard! Get forrard!

CHORUS: # O heave! O heave away, heave! O heave!

CHORUS: # O heave! O heave away, heave! O heave!

# Boat ahoy!

# Guard boat! Indomitable!

# Ahoy, deck! Boarding-party boat to larboard

# Sir! Boarding-party boat to larboard!

# Ay, ay!

# Mr Redburn!

# Boarding-party boat returning

# I see we've three recruits

# Very good, Mr Flint We'll go on deck

# Bosun! Clear gangway! Jump to it!

# Gangway, lads, gangway!

# Bring table and chairs and muster-book

# Cutter alongside!

# Send for John Claggart!

# Send for the Master-at-Arms!

# Well, what have we got this time?

# We seem to have the devil's own luck

# Nothing worth have these days

# Diseased, hungry grumblers Sweepings of the stews and jails

# Lackeys and pimps Mechanics and lickspittles

# Ah! It's wearisome!

# It's wearisome!

# But it's war, it's war

# We must be content

# To report having boarded the British merchantman Right o' Man

# Homeward bound to Bristol

# Three men impressed

# No resistance

# Very good, Mr Ratcliffe

# We shall proceed at once to question them

# Master-at-Arms We have three recruits

# We require your assistance

# Your honour

# I am at you disposal

# First man forward!

# Your name?

# I object, I object! You've no right to press me

# Your name?

# I'm a decent tradesman I've a wife and family

# Your name?

# No! No! Joseph Higgins I protest, I object

# Your age? Your age?

# I won't give it! I won't give it! I refuse!

# Your age?

# 48

# It's no fair, I'm too old

# It's against the law

# Your trade?

# I'm a butcher

# Your home?

# Bristol, and I wish I'd never left it

# I'm no sailor

# Silence!

# I believe that is all you require, your honour

# Forepeak, I think, Mr Flint?

# Little use to us But we must keep him

# We seem to have the devil's own luck

# Take him away

# Next man

# I protest, I object I only went to oblige

# I'm no sailor, I'm no sailor

# Your name?

# Arthur Jones

# Your age?

# 34

# Your trade?

# Weaver

# Your home?

# Spitalfields

# Forepeak again, I think, Mr Flint?

# Nothing special But we must be content

# Oh, it's wearisome! It's wearisome! Next man!

# Next man forward

# Now, you, come here!

# Your name?

# Billy Budd, sir

# Your age?

# Don't know, sir

# Don't know? Your trade?

# Able seaman

# Can you read?

# No - but I can sing!

# Never mind the singing

# He looks better Better fortune at last

# It'll hearten us And it's welcome

# Sound in wind and limb?

# O yes, sir, yes indeed!

# Where's your home?

# Haven't any

# They say I was a...

# Was a...

# A...

# He stammers! That's a pity! That's a pity!

# A...

# Fine recruit otherwise Fine recruit otherwise

# Fine recruit otherwise

# Fine recruit all the same There is always some flaw in them

# Always something

# A... A foundling!

# Ay, it comes and it goes Or so the chaps tell me

# Don't you worry

# Foundling, that's the word

# Foundling

# I'm a foundling

# Found in a basket tied to a good man's door

# The poor old man

# A pretty good find

# That's all right, sir

# What d'you say, Master-at-Arms?

# A find in a thousand, your honour

# A beauty

# A jewel

# The pearl of great price

# We need many more like him

# Your honour There are no more like him

# I have seen many men

# Many years have I given to the King

# Sailed many seas

# He's a King's bargain

# Now where shall we place him

# Foretop, I think

# Foretopman Be off and good luck to you

# Mind you behave yourself and do as you're told

# Thank you, sir Foretopman! Thank you!

# Billy Budd, king of the birds!

# Billy Budd, king of the world

# Up among the sea-hawks Up against the storm

# Looking down on the deck Looking down on the waves

# Working aloft with my mates

# Working aloft in the foretop

# Working and helping

# Working and sharing

# Goodbye to the old life

# Don't want it no more

# Farewell to you, old comrades!

# Farewell to you for ever

# Farewell, Rights o'Man

# Farewell, old Rights o'Man

# Farewell to you for ever Old Rights o'Man

# What's that?

# Rights o'Man? Rights o'Man?

# Down, sir! How dare you!

# Clear the decks!

# Clear the decks! Clear the decks!

# Dangerous! The Rights o'Man indeed!

# Always something Always some defect

# Fine young chap but we must keep a watch

# Master-at-Arms Instruct your police

# You heard what he called out

# I heard, your honour

# I heard, your honour!

# Yes, I heard

# Do they think I'm deaf?

# Was I born yesterday?

# Have I never studied men and man's weaknesses?

# Have I not apprenticed myself to this hateful world

# To this ship, accursed ship?

# And, oh, the fools! These officers!

# They are naught but dust in the wind

# Squeak! Squeak!

# Yes, sir?

# Keep an eye on that man

# Yes, sir! The one who grumbles

# Let me finish, let me finish

# Grumblers aren't dangerous No, sir

# Keep an eye on the big lad with the stammer - Billy Budd

# Yes, sir, yes, sir!

# Yes, sir, yes, sir

# And how?

# You hadn't thought You wouldn't think, you can't think

# Now listen!

# Go and play all your little tricks on this Budd

# Tangle up his hammock Mess his kit, spill his grog

# Splash his soup, sneak about him

# And if you see anything of his you fancy

# I'll make no trouble

# Thank you, sir, thank you

# Grand!

# Look out for his temper

# Look out for those fists

# You're playing with fire, Squeak

# With fire

# Oh, dear! Oh, dear! Oh, dear

# He'll kill you if he catches you

# Be off!

# Yes, be off!

# And be damned!

# Oh, what a ship! One piece of dirt after another

# What now?

# A flogging, sir

# All duly over and King's Regulations observed

# But the offender took it badly

# He's only a boy

# And he cannot walk

# Let him crawl

# Come along, kid!

# Come along, kid!

# Come along, kid!

# I'm done for, I'm done for

CHORUS: # Yes, lost for ever

CHORUS: # On the endless sea

# The pain'll soon pass

# The pain'll soon pass

# The shame'll never pass

# The pain'll soon pass The shame'll never pass

# The pain'll soon pass The shame'll never pass

# Soon pass, soon pass, soon pass The shame'll never pass

CHORUS: # Ay, he's lost for ever on the endless sea

CHORUS: The endless sea

# Yer bruises'll heal up, kid!

# But my heart's broken!

# My heart's broken! Yer bruises'll heal up, kid!

# I'll look after you!

# They've caught me, my home's gone

# They've caught me, my home's gone I'll look after you!

# My home's gone I'll look after you!

CHORUS: # They've caught us They've caught all of us!

CHORUS: # All of us!

# We're lost, all of us lost

# Lost for ever on the endless sea

# We're all of us lost for ever

# Lost for ever on the endless sea

# All of us!

# All of us are lost!

# All of us!

# Lost for ever on the endless sea

CHORUS: # On the endless sea

# All of us

# I'm done for

# Christ! The poor chap, the poor little runt!

# Never seen blood, Baby?

# Never seen blood, Baby? I've never seen it shed for no reason

# I protest! I protest!

# Let them try it on me!

# They will, chum, be sure Wallop!

# I'm a respectable tradesman Wallop, wallop, wallop!

# They dursn't!

# Only 20 Only 20

# 5,000 sometimes Sometimes

# Hurts!

# I'll give no offence

# I'll get no punishment

# You'll see, Whiskers You'll see, Baby

# I'll give no offence

# I'll get no punishment

# You'll see, Baby You'll see, Whiskers

# No, I won't, and my name ain't Whiskers, asking your pardon

# Object to it? Object? Nay Yes

# Whiskers! Whiskers! Whiskers Pull his bloody whiskers! Oh! Oh!

# Lemme go! I won't be pulled around!

# I won't be pulled around

# And I won't be called out of my name

# Pull his bloody whiskers! I won't be pulled around

WHISTLE BLOWS

# What's that? What's those whistles?

WHISTLE BLOWS

# That's changing the watch

WHISTLE BLOWS

# Come on! All of you

# Fall in at once! Come on! Fall in! Fall in at once!

# Foretopman!

# Me, sir?

# This is a man-o'-war

# Take off that fancy neckerchief!

# Very good, sir

# And look after your dress

# Take a pride in yourself, Beauty

# And you'll come to no harm

# Get the man aloft!

# Did you hear that?

Shhh!

# That's the one to study if you want to dodge punishment

# That's Jemmy Legs

# He seems all right

# Billy, be warned, keep clear of him

# What's the rest like? What's the captain like?

# Starry Vere, we call him

# Starry Vere

# Starry Vere, you call him

CHORUS: # Starry Vere

# That's his name

# He's the best of them all

# He's a triumph

# The one to lead us against the French!

CHORUS: # The French! The French! The French!

# They killed their king CHORUS: Ay!

# They killed their king and they'll kill us

CHORUS: Ay! Ay!

CHORUS: # They killed their king and they'll kill us

# But Starry Vere will stop them

# Ay, he'll destroy them!

# He knows all the tricks

# He's brave and he's good

CHORUS: # He does his best for us He teaches us well, he helps us

# He's good, is he And goodness is best

# I'm for Starry Vere and I'm for you

CHORUS: # Starry, Starry!

# Star of the morning! Star of the morning!

CHORUS: # He's the salt of the earth!

# I'll follow you, I'll serve you

CHORUS: # He's for us

# We will follow you!

CHORUS: # Right through the gates of hell!

# All through darkness Never you fear

CHORUS: # Starry, Starry Vere

# To save you, as for to die

CHORUS: # Starry, show us the way

# I'll follow you all I can Follow you for ever

CHORUS: # Starry Vere!

# I'll follow you for ever

LOUD CRACK

# What do you think you're doing there?

# Get below decks

# Get below deck

# Boy!

# My compliment to Mr Redburn and Mr Flint

# And will they take a glass of wine with me?

# Plutarch

# The Greeks and the Romans

# Their troubles and ours

# Are the same

# May their virtues be ours

# And their courage!

# O God, grant me light

# Light to guide us

# To guide us all!

Mr Redburn and Mr Flint, sir

# Gentlemen, I'm glad to see you

# Be seated

# Gentlemen, the King!

BOTH: # The King!

# God bless him!

# God bless him! God bless him

# Well, my friends, here we are Nearing Finisterre

# Approaching enemy waters

# We may be in action at any time

# Glad when we are, sir, very glad!

# Any moment now, sir, we may sight a French sail and chase her

# For show her heels she will to a certainty

# You are right, Mr Flint She'll fly from us

# We've hard times before us But there'll be victory in the end

# Yes, action's coming May we soon be at 'em

# The whole ship's wanting it to start Glad for a crack at the French

# Don't like the French

# Don't like their Frenchified ways

# Don't like the French

# Their notions don't suit us Not their ideas

# Don't like the French

# Don't like their bowing and scraping

# Don't like their hoppity-skipetty ways

# Don't like the French

# Don't like their lingo

BOTH: # These damned mounseers!

# England for me England for me

# British brawn, British brawn

# And England for me England for me

# Home and beauty! Home and beauty!

BOTH: # Don't like the French

# Don't like their Frenchified ways

# Their notions don't suit us Nor their ideas

# They'll pout, they'll... Don't like their hoppity-skipetty ways

# Nor their lingo

BOTH: # Don't like their lingo

BOTH: # These damned mounseers!

# Beg pardon, sir

# We ought to express ourselves differently

# No, gentlemen, no, no

# I feel as you do

# Fill your glasses

# Another toast

# The French!

BOTH: # The French!

# Down with them!

# Down with them!

# Down with them!

# Any danger of French notions spreading this side, sir?

# Great danger, great danger

# There is a word which we scarcely dare speak

# Yet at moments it has to be spoken

# Mutiny

# Mutiny Mutiny

# Spithead, the Nore

# The floating republic

# Oh, the Nore! The Nore!

# The shame of it!

# The shame! The shame!

# I remember

# I remember

# I served there

# Those days are clear in my mind

# I saw the disgrace and the sorrow

# I saw wickedness, saw wickedness

# And its merited punishment

# O God preserve us from the Nore!

# O God preserve us from the Nore!

# The Nore!

BOTH: # The floating republic!

# Ay, at Spithead the men may have had their grievances

# But the Nore, the Nore

# What had we there?

# Revolution, sedition, the Jacobins The infamous spirit of France

# France, who has killed her king and denied her God

# France, the tyrant who wears the cap of liberty

# France, who pretends to love mankind and is at war with the world

# France, the eternal enemy of righteousness

# That was the Nore

# The Nore

# Ay, we must be vigilant

# We must be on our guard

# We are, sir

# Claggart is an able one

# He is indeed a veritable Argus

BOTH: # Beg pardon, sir?

# He has a hundred eyes

# Need of him with that chap who shouted out Rights o'Man

# Yes, Rights o'Man

# He need watching Dangerous one!

# He needs watching We must be vigilant

BOTH: # The Rights o'Man indeed!

# Oh, that's nothing

# I've noted the fellow in question

# Budd, Billy Budd, foretopman

# Nothing

# Nothing

# Just youthful high spirits

# Don't let that worry us

# No danger there, gentlemen

CHORUS: # Blow her away

# And listen to them singing below deck, listen

CHORUS: # Blow her away

# Listen

CHORUS: # Blow her away

# Where there is happiness

# There cannot be harm

CHORUS: # Blow her away Blow her to Hilo, Riley

# We owe so much to them

# Some torn from their homes

BOTH: # More reason we should watch them

KNOCK ON DOOR

# Land on the port bow, sir

# Cape Finisterre

# Enemy waters!

# Gentlemen You'll be wanting to leave me

# Work for us all before long

# Good night, my friends

# Good night, sir Good night, sir

# At the Battle of Salamis The Athenians

CHORUS: # Blow her away

# With vastly inferior numbers

CHORUS: # Blow her away

# Against the power of Xerxes

CHORUS: # Blow her away

# The Athenians

CHORUS: # Blow her away

CHORUS: Blow her to Hilo, Riley

CHORUS: # Blow her away

CHORUS: # Blow her away

CHORUS: # Blow her to Hilo, Hilo, Hilo, Hilo...

CHORUS: # Hilo, Hilo, Hilo, Hilo .. #

CHORUS: # Blow her away

# Blow her to Hilo, Riley Blow her to Hilo

# Blow her to Hilo, Hilo

# Hilo, Hilo, Hilo, Riley

# Say farewell Say farewell

# Say farewell Say farewell

# Say farewell

# We've a long way to go! Way to go!

# Blow her away Blow her away

# Blow her to Hilo

# To Hilo, to Hilo, to Hilo

# Hilo, Hilo

# Say farewell Say farewell

# Say farewell Say farewell

# We've a long, long way to go

# A long way to go

# Blow her away To Hilo, Hilo

# Blow her away

# Blow her to Hilo

# To Hilo, Riley

# Away

# Blow her to Hilo

# Hilo, Hilo, Hilo

# Here, lads! Here!

# Come here! Remember this one?

# We're off to Samoa By way of Genoa

# Roll on Shenandoah And up with the line and away

# Up with the line and away

CHORUS: # Up with the line and away

# We're off to Samoa

# And up with the line and away

# We're towing to Malta The Rock of Gibraltar

# With only a halter And Davy Jones lying below

# So pray to devil below

CHORUS: # Pray to devil below

# Pray to devil below

# We're towing to Malta

# With Davy Jones lying below

# We're off Savannah O sing, Polly Anna

# My lovely Susannah! A bird flying high in the sky

CHORUS: # She's only a bird in the sky

# Only a bird in the sky

# Oh, Anna Susannah! I'll find you a bed by and by

# We're off to Nantucket Kick over the bucket

# So muck it and chuck it A dunducket look in the eye

# A dunducket look in the eye

CHORUS: # A dunducket look in the eye

# We're riding the ocean A dippetty motion

# O give me a potion No fish in the locker for me!

CHORUS: # No fish in the locker for me!

# Fish in the locker for me!

# We're off to Bermuda The Sultan of Judah

# Can eat barracuda Including the weevils and all

CHORUS: # Including the weevils and all

# Including the weevils and all Including the weevils and all

# Can eat barracuda Including the weevils and all

# We're anchored off Scilly

# My aunt willy-nilly

# Was winking at Billy

# She'll cut up her Billy for pie

CHORUS: # She'll cut up her Billy for pie

# Cut up her Billy for pie For all he's catch on the eye

# All he's catch on the eye

# Cut up her Billy for pie Cut up her Billy for pie

# For all he's catch on the eye

# Come along, Dansker, and sing

CHORUS: # She will cut Billy up for pie

# Come along, Dansker, join the fun!

CHORUS: # She will cut Billy up for pie

# Cut Billy up for pie

# Na, na, I'm too old for fun

# Too old for dancing Too old for women

# I know how fun ends

# That's no proper thing to say Don't spoil the sport

# No, leave me alone

# I'm finished

# There's only one thing in the world that I want

# And I ain't got it

# What is it, friend?

# Baccy, Baby Budd, plug o' baccy

# That's easy put right I'll lend you a chew

# I'll give you the whole bar

# It's in my kitty Back in a moment

# He's a good cuss, is Billy

# He's too good There's his whole trouble

# Hi! You... A... A...

# What did I tell you?

# He's a-stammer! He's a-stammer!

# What's up? He's upset!

# No...

# What did I tell you?

CHORUS: # Billy's a-stammer!

# Come out of that!

# No! What are you meddling there for?

# I warn't

# You liar! I caught you

# Don't, Billy, you're throttling me You stinking little vermin

CHORUS: Squeak! Got him at last He took them earrings of mine

CHORUS: # Always at it! Sneaking swine

# Look out!

# He's got a knife!

# So that's it! Very well!

# CHORUS: Go it, Beauty! Look out!

# Careful Get his knife arm

# Oh, be careful, Billy!

# Get him down Go it, Beauty!

# O Baby, get him down! Get him down!

# Get him down! Careful!

# Look out!

# How did this start? Silence!

# CHORUS: # Well done

# Get back there

# Dansker, you speak

# Billy went to his bag

# Squeak there

# Billy lugged him here

# Squeak drew a knife

# Billy floored him

# That's all

# Seize him I wasn't...

# Put him in irons Sir, it was you who told me...

# Gag him!

# As for you

# Handsomely done, my lad

# And handsome is

# As handsome did it too

# Sling hammocks and turn in Lights out!

# Agh!

# Look where you go!

# Over the water

# Over the ocean

# Into the harbour

# Carry me home

# Handsomely done, my lad

# Handsome indeed

CHORUS: # Over the water

# Over the ocean

# Into the harbour

# Carry me home

# Handsomely done

# Handsome indeed

CHORUS: # Into the harbour Lying at anchor

# Carry me, carry me, carry me home

# Over the water

# Over the ocean

# Carry me, carry me home

# Handsome indeed

CHORUS # Carry me home Carry me home

# Carry me home

# Handsome

# O beauty

# O handsomeness, goodness!

# Would that I never encountered you!

# Would that I lived in my own world always

# In that depravity

# To which I was born

# There I found peace of a sort

# There I established an order

# Such as reigns in hell

# But alas, alas!

# The light shines in the darkness

# And the darkness comprehends it

# And suffers

# O beauty

# O handsomeness, goodness!

# Would that I had never seen you!

# Having seen you What choice remains to me?

# None, none!

# I'm doomed to annihilate you

# I'm vowed to your destruction

# I will wipe you off the face of the earth

# Off this tiny floating fragment of earth

# Off this ship where fortune has led you

# First I will trouble your happiness

# I will mutilate and silence the body where you dwell

# It shall hang from the yard-arm

# It shall fall into the depths of the sea

# And all shall be as if nothing had been

# No, you cannot escape!

# With hate and envy I'm stronger than love

# So may it be!

# So may it be!

# O beauty

# O handsomeness, goodness!

# You are surely in my power tonight

# Nothing can defend you

# Nothing can defend you

# Nothing! Nothing! Nothing!

# So may it be!

# So may it be!

# For what hope remains

# If love

# Can escape?

# If love still lives and grows strong

# Where I cannot enter

# What hope is there

# In my own dark world

# For me?

# No!

# I cannot believe it!

# No!

# That were torment too keen

# I, John Claggart

# Master-at-Arms upon the Indomitable

# Have you in my power

# And I will destroy you

# I will

# Destroy you

# Come here

# Remember your promise Are you ready?

# Yes, sir

# Tonight, this night

# This very minute I've work for you

# Will you do it?

# Yes, sir, yes, sir

# I'll do anything, anything!

# Oh, the flogging and the misery!

# And you've said you'd protect me

# Spoke so fatherly to me When you found me crying

# I can't stand any more

# I'll do anything you want Yes, yes

# Come here, come nearer

# I'll protect you if you don't fail

# Squeak has failed

# I shan't fail, I'm not like Squeak

# I'm clever

# They all said so at home They all said so

# And then the press-gang caught me

# I'll do anything to serve you Anything, anything

# Would you betray a shipmate? Yes

# Get evidence against him? I'll get it

# Come closer

# A shipmate who's disloyal

# Go and talk to him and tempt him

# Pretend you're disloyal too

# Tempt him to join you with this

# Compromise him Then come and tell me

# I'll do it, trust me I'll do my best

# Who is he?

# Billy Budd

# Billy Budd Why do you hesitate?

# Not that one

# Why? Not that one

# He's good

# Good? Agh!

# What is goodness to you? Don't, sir, don't touch me again

# What is goodness to you? I can't bear it

# No! I can't bear it I can't bear it

# You've had 20 strokes

# Do you want worse? No

# Do you want worse?

# Don't hurt me again, no

# No

# Will you or will you not work for me?

# Yes, I'll work for you I'll work for you

# I've no choice Give me the money

# Why had it to be Billy?

# The one we all love

# Why am I in this cruel, hateful ship

# Instead of safe at home?

# Oh, why was I ever born?

# Why? Why? Why?

# It's fate

# I've no choice

# Everything's fate

# There's no end to it

# And may God forgive me

# May God forgive me

# Billy! Hist!

# Billy Budd!

# Dreaming, drowsing

# Hist! Billy, wake up! Wake up!

# It's a-dreaming that I am

# Fathoms down, fathoms

# Who is it?

# Can't see your face

# And dark, isn't it?

# Christ, I dreamed

# I was under the sea!

# Who are you?

# Whatever's in the wind?

# Speak quietly! Don't waken the others

# It's a friend I've got something to say

# Nay, I'm sleep again

# I feel it stealing on me

# Now

# Dreaming

# Billy! Billy, listen! Listen

# Come over here, come over here

# It's unjust, it's unfair!

# These press-gangs are unfair

# I was taken from my home

# And you were pressed too

# Pressed Pressed on the homeward-bound

# It isn't fair It isn't fair, Billy

# Never gave it a thought Never a thought

# Still, you're right in a manner of speaking

# Doesn't seem fair And you're only a boy

# But you were pressed too, Billy And there's others like us too

# A whole gang, a whole gang

# We can't stand it any more

# The dirt and the stinking food

# The floggings and the lashings

# And it's gone too far It's gone too far

# We talk and plan together

# And I thought I'd talk to you, Billy

# Billy Budd

# Couldn't you help us at a pinch?

# There's 20, 30 in our gang and we're wanting a leader

# What do you mean?

# Look at this!

# Guineas! Look at them!

# Touch them Ay, they twinkle pretty

# They're for you Why for me?

# Hist, quietly! See the pretty pair

# Don't they twinkle lovely in the night light?

# Ay, they twinkle lovely Shining all gold in the moonlight

# Ay, they twinkle lovely Why for me?

# See, they're yours Billy, they're yours

# And more like them if you'll lead us

# If you'll lead us, Billy # Why d'ye think I'd...?

# A... Billy!

# Billy!

# A... A... A... A...

# Dansker, old friend Glad to see you!

# What's the matter, Beauty?

# Heard you stammer Saw the novice slipping away

# Novice, was he?

# Thought he might be a spirit With the queer things he said

# Oh, Dansker, keep me company Stay here a bit!

# I was dreaming in my hammock Fathoms down, fathoms

# And didn't rightly wake until he offered me them guineas

# Ah!

# Mutiny, that's what they were for

# To make me mutiny, mutiny, mutiny!

# Still I have sent him back where he belonged

# Dreaming, drop me deep

# Anything wrong, Dansker?

# You're so silent

# Want anything of mine? Shall I fetch you another plug?

# Dansker, old friend! Want anything o' mine?

# I want nothing of yours, Baby

# Nothing, no nothing Nor your youth, no

# Nor your strength, no

# Nor your looks Nor your goodness

# For Jemmy Legs is down on you

# Jemmy Legs is down on you

# Jemmy Legs, the Master-at-Arms?

# Ay, he's down on you!

# Jemmy Legs! Jemmy Legs! Jemmy Legs down on you!

# Jemmy Legs!

# But Jemmy Legs likes me

# He calls me that sweet pleasant fellow

# He gives me the smile and easy order when we meet

# And when I gave Squeak that drubbing

# Handsomely done was all he said And he smiled

# No, he likes me No use, he's down on you

# They all like me He's down on you

# And the life suits me It suits me

# I couldn't wish for better mates

# Ay! And the wind and the sails and being aloft

# And the deck below so small and the sea so wide

# And the stars seeming all to sway

# Beauty, you'd better go back

# I wouldn't go back where I was for nothing

# You'd better go back For Jemmy Legs is down on you

# It suits me and I'm suited He's down on you!

# And Dansker, old friend I've heard a tale

# I've heard a tale I'm to get promotion

# Promotion! Captain of the mizzen top

# Of the mizzen top

# Think of that, think of that

# Near Captain Vere himself

# God bless him!

# Billy Budd

# Late of the Rights o'Man

# And soon to be captain of the mizzen!

# Beauty, you're a fool and I've told you so before

# You're a fool I'm content

# Jemmy Legs is down on you

# Everyone loves me Jemmy Legs and all

# Here's my life, my own world Jemmy Legs is down on you

# Here's my life, my own world Jemmy Legs is down on you

# Jemmy Legs is down on you He is my friend, he is my friend

# My friend, he is my friend Jemmy Legs is down on you

# He is my friend, my friend Jemmy Legs is down on you

# And here's you, here's you Jemmy Legs, Jemmy Legs

# Dansker, old friend He's down on you

# Dansker, old friend, here's you He's down on you

# Here's you He's down on you

# Old friend. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# I don't like the look of the mist, Mr Redburn

# No more do I, sir It may lift but not for long

# Time we came to action Time indeed

# The men are getting impatient with this long waiting

# That I well understand

# The Master-at-Arms is here to see you, sir

# No, I don't like the look of the mist

# Send Mr Claggart up

# The Captain will see you

# Well, what is it, Master-at-Arms?

# With great regret I must disturb your honour

# Duty compels me

# I would be failing in my trust unless I came to you at once

# Speak freely, what is it?

# Your honour I have served my country long

# And have striven in all ways

# To serve you here upon the Indomitable

# Master-at-Arms, your work is satisfactory

# What do you want to say?

# Would that I need not say it

# I could keep silent but there is danger, sir

# There is danger, danger from one who...

# Deck ahoy!

# Enemy sail on starboard bow

# Enemy sail on starboard bow

# The French The French! And the mist is gone

# It's a Frenchman, sure enough

# A frigate, fully rigged

# She's four miles at least

# No, three No, four

# We'll blow her from the water She's a Frenchman, sure enough

# A Frenchman, 74 and new rigged

# Three miles off Course, nor'-nor'-east

# Man the braces, Mr Flint

# Man the braces at the double

# Aye-aye, sir, aye-aye, sir

# Come on, you lubbers, and sway

# And sway, and sway, and sway

# This is our moment we've been waiting for these long weeks

# Make sail, make sail

# Make sail, set royals and sky-rakers

# A Frenchman at last, a froggy

# Our first fight We'll blow her from the water

# Hooray!

# Action, Mr Redburn

# Beat to quarters, beat to quarters

# Hooray!

# This is our moment

# The moment we have been waiting for these long weeks. #

Come on!

# There's a battle in the wind there's a battle in the wind

# Fetch your hammocks, stow 'em tight Quick, lads

QUARTER`DECK CHORUS SINGS

# Volunteers! Call for boarding volunteers!

# Men! Who will volunteer to board 'em in the smoke?

# Who'll be first on board the Frenchie ship?

# Sing out your names, good men and hearty

# Brave men and true

DONALD, RED WHISKERS, DANSKER SHOUT OUT

# Here's another I'm coming down to you

# Billy Budd! I'll come down from the birds

# Billy! Billy Budd! He's the one! He's with us! He'll come down to us!

# Fall in there, Budd!

# Donald, Red Whiskers, Dansker Report for arms

# Now we'll see action We are through with waiting

# Now for deeds

# Report hammocks set, seamen

# Aye-aye, sir Aye-aye, sir

# Aye-aye, sir!

# This is our moment!

# The moment we've been waiting for

# Now we'll see action

# We're through with waiting

# Now for deeds, now for deeds

# Now for deeds

# All guns ready, sir We wait to fight

# Wait yet, wait yet We are out of range

# Report all canvas set Maintop

# All canvas set, sir

# Too little for this breeze, I'm afraid

# Are we making, Mr Redburn?

# Barely, sir

# Barely

# Maintop, do you reckon we are making?

# Bring us victory now, victory, our victory

# We are making slowly

# We must be patient

# We are making, sir Making, making

# Mr Redburn, sight the long eighteens, we'll try a shot

# Stand-by, Forepeak Matches ready

EXPLOSION

CHEERING

# This is our moment!

# Short, sir, out of range

# Out of range and the wind dies

# Aye, she is dropping

# She's making, making

# The Frenchie's making fast

# Carronades ready to fire, sir

# Wait for orders, deck

# Aye, the mist is back to foil us

# The mist creeps in to blind us

# Our chase is foolish, gentlemen Our chase is foolish

# Give orders to dismiss

# Abandon chase, all hands Down one watch

# Down one watch

# The mist will not break again today

# We've lost her for good

# It's bad for the men

# Day by day, things move to the worse

# There you are again, Master-at-Arms

# Come up if the matter is urgent

# Now be brief, man For God's sake!

# As brief, your honour as my theme allows

# I dare not cut it short And I must ask your patience

# There is a man on board who is dangerous

# I say again, who is dangerous

# Dangerous, what mean you?

# Disaffected, sir, ripe for the crimes of Spithead and Nore

# A common seaman but a subtle schemer

# Plotting between decks, sapping loyalties

# Corrupting mess mates

# Yes, even in this fight

# When all hearts should promote a common purpose

# Fomenting

# Pardon me, the foul word - mutiny!

# Mutiny? Mutiny?

# I'm not to be scared by words

# Your evidence for this?

# Perhaps your honour would inspect these guineas

# He crept and offered them at dead of night

# To a young novice You will understand

# How their bright wonder and pretty twinkling

# Would turn a simple boy

# But he held firm

# And came at once and handed them to me

# How came the boy by gold? A common seaman

# Strange story

# What's his name?

# His name is William Budd

# Budd? Billy Budd? Foretopman

# The same

# Nay, you are mistaken!

# Your police have deceived you

# Don't come to me with so foggy a tale

# That's the young fellow I get good reports of

THEY ARGUE

# Master at Arms, I cannot agree

# I have seen very men in my time And I trust him

# A man trap works under those ruddy-tipped daisies

# Take heed what you say

# There is a yardarm for a false witness

# Sir, sir

# Sir, your honour

# No more, I will see the fellow at once

# Boy!

# Yes, sir!

# You know William Budd, foretopman?

# Yes, Billy Budd, sir

# Find him, bring him aft Bring him aft to my cabin

# Do you understand?

# Yes, sir!

# You, Master-at-Arms, when you have seen Budd enter

# Follow him quietly

# I have heard you speak I wish to speak with him

# In a few minutes, you will be admitted and confront him

# Thank you, your honour

# I trust that nothing I have done...

# Be so good as to leave me!

# Oh, this cursed mist

# Yes, sir, it's got us

# Disappointment Vexation everywhere

# Creeping over everything

# Confusing everyone

# Confusion without and within

# Oh, for the light

# The light of clear heaven

# To separate evil from good!

# Claggart, John Claggart, beware!

# I'm not so easily deceived

# The boy whom you would destroy

# He is good, you are evil

# You have reckoned without me

# I have studied men and their ways

# The mists are vanishing

# And you shall fail!

# You shall fail!

# Shall fail

# John Claggart, John Claggart

# You will, you will

# I'm not so easily deceived

# You wanted to see me

# I knew it, I knew it

# I knew I'd be called

# Captain of the mizzen!

# Oh, the honour!

# And you telling me!

# I shouldn't speak so quick But the talk's got around

# Would you like to be captain of the mizzen, Billy Budd?

# Yes, or to be your coxswain

# I'd like that too

# Why?

# To be near you

# I'd serve you well Indeed I would

# You'd be safe with me

# You could trust your boat to me

# Couldn't find a better coxswain That's to say

# I'd look after you my best

# I'd die for you So would they all...

# And this is the man I'm told is dangerous...

# ..Aren't glad to be here! Didn't know what life was before now

# ..the schemer, the plotter, the artful mutineer!

# And O for a fight! Wish we'd got that Frenchie, I do...

# This is the trap concealed in the daisies!

# ..but we'll catch her another day, sir!

# Claggart! Let me be your coxswain John Claggart!

# Let me be your coxswain!

# Beware... I'd look after you I'd look after you well

# Claggart! Let me be your coxswain John Claggart!

# Let me be your coxswain!

# Beware... You could trust your boat to me, you'd be safe with me

# You'd be safe with me

# Beware... Please, sir

# You must forget all that for the present

# I do not want to see you about promotion

# That's all right, sir I'm content

# Very well, but now listen to me, Budd

# We want to question you - I and the Master-at-Arms

# Yes, sir

# Answer us frankly And show all proper respect

# Now stand to attention

# Boy! Admit Mr Claggart

# Master-at-Arms and foretopman I speak to you both

# You stand before your commander as accuser

# And accused under the Articles of War

# Remember both of you the penalties of falsehood

# Master-at-Arms, stand there

# Tell this man to his face what you have already told me

# William Budd, I accuse you

# Of insubordination and disaffection

# William Budd, I accuse you

# Of aiding our enemies

# And spreading their infamous creed of "The Rights of Man"

# William Budd, I accuse you

# Of bringing French gold on board

# To bribe your comrades

# And lure them from their duty

# William Budd

# You are a traitor to your country

# And to your King

# I accuse you

# Of mutiny!

# William Budd, answer

# Defend yourself!

# Aaa-rh!

# Speak, man!

# Speak

# Take your time, my boy, take your time

# A-a...

HE STRAINS

# God o' mercy!

# Here, help me

# Help me

# He's dead

# Fated boy, what have you done

# Go in there. Go!

# God help us! Help us all

# Boy! Fetch my officers at once

# The mi-i-i-ists...

# Have cleared

# O terror! What do I see?

# Scylla and Charybdis The straits of hell, of hell

# I sight them too late

# Too late

# I see all the mists The mists concealed

# Oh-h-h

# Beauty, handsomeness, goodness coming to trial

# Beauty, handsomeness, goodness coming to trial

# How can I condemn him?

# How can I save him?

# How? How?

# My heart's broken

# My life's broken

# Broken!

# It is not his time It is mine, mine, mine

# It is mine, mine, mine

# It is I who the devil awaits

# Gentlemen, William Budd here has killed the Master-at-Arms

# Great God! For what reason?

# The boy has been provoked We must keep our heads

# Oh! What unheard-of brutality Why did he do it? What is the truth?

# Justice is our duty Justice is our hope

# Claggart, he's dead Give the murderer the rope

THEY SING OVER EACH OTHER

# Struck by an angel An angel of God

# Yet the angel must hang

# The angel must hang

# Must hang What's to be done?

# Justice must be done

# I summon a drum-head court

# The enemy is near

# The prisoner must be tried at once

# Mr Redburn presides

# I myself am present as witness

# The sole earthly witness

# Gentlemen, the court sits

# William Budd, you are accused by Captain Vere

# Of striking your superior officer John Claggart

# Master-at-Arms, and thus causing his death

# Captain Vere?

# The Master-at-Arms

# Denounced the prisoner to me

# For spreading disaffection

# Sympathy with our enemies

# And trying to start a mutiny

# No, no!

# Having French gold for bribes

# I asked the prisoner to reply

# He stammered, then struck out

# Struck John Claggart on the forehead

# And the rest you know

# Captain Vere has spoken

# Is it as he has said?

# Yes

# You know the Articles of War?

# Yes And the penalty?

# Yes Why did you do it?

# Sir, I am loyal to my country and my King

# Loyal to my country and my King

# It is true I'm a nobody

# Who don't know where he was born

# And I've had to live rough

# But never, never could I do those foul things

# Those foul things

# It's a lie

# It's a lie

# It's a lie

# A lie

# Did you bear any malice against the Master-at-Arms?

# No, no

# I tried to answer him back

# My tongue wouldn't work

# So I had to say it with a blow And it killed him

# You stammered then?

# Ay, it comes and it goes

# Why should the Master-at-Arms accuse you wrongfully? Why?

# Don't know Don't know such things

# Ask Captain Vere

# Ask him

# Do you, sir, know any reason?

# I have told you all I have seen

# I have no more to say

# Prisoner, have you any more to say?

# Captain Vere, save me!

# Go in and wait

# Captain, save me!

# Go in

# I'd have died for you Save me!

# Go in!

# Save me!

# Poor fellow, who could save him?

# Ay, there's naught to discuss Who could save him?

# Ay, he must swing Who could save him?

# Must swing, must swing, must swing

TOGETHER: # We've no choice.