1 Jesus Christ Superstar By Tim Rice (words), Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) This is a transcript of the 1973 movie version of Jesus Christ Superstar. Other versions may be slightly different. CHARACTERS Jesus Christ Judas One of Jesus’s twelve disciples Peter Another of Jesus’s disciples; the leader of the disciples Simon Zealotes Another of Jesus’s disciples 1 Mary Magdalene A female follower of Jesus 2 Caiaphas The chief priest Annas Another priest Pilate The Roman governor of Israel Herod The Jewish king of Israel (a puppet king under the Romans) Also disciples, priests, soldiers, lepers, and Israelites. ************* Judas: My mind is clearer now— At last, all too well, I can see where we all soon will be. 3 If you strip away the myth from the man, 4 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! And all the good you’ve done, Will soon get swept away; 1 Simon Zealotes. He is only called “Zealotes” or Zelotes” once in the Bible (Acts 1:13). It is thought that he got this name because he was originally a member of the “zealots,” a radical Jewish group who wanted to drive the Romans out of Israel by force. This “radical” association is used in Jesus Christ Superstar. 2 Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene is mentioned several times in the Bible. She is a very controversial figure. There is a belief that she was a prostitute before she became a follower of Jesus, but the Bible itself does not say this. She has often been imagined as in love with Jesus, or even as his wife (as in the best- selling novel, The Da Vinci Code). 3 Where we all soon will be = the situation we’ll soon be in. 4 The man = Jesus.
Transcript
1
Jesus Christ Superstar
By Tim Rice (words), Andrew Lloyd Webber (music)
This is a transcript of the 1973 movie version of Jesus Christ Superstar. Other
versions may be slightly different.
CHARACTERS
Jesus Christ
Judas One of Jesus’s twelve disciples
Peter Another of Jesus’s disciples; the leader of the disciples
Simon Zealotes Another of Jesus’s disciples1
Mary Magdalene A female follower of Jesus2
Caiaphas The chief priest
Annas Another priest
Pilate The Roman governor of Israel
Herod The Jewish king of Israel (a puppet king under the Romans)
Also disciples, priests, soldiers, lepers, and Israelites.
*************
Judas: My mind is clearer now—
At last, all too well,
I can see where we all soon will be.3
If you strip away the myth from the man,4
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!
And all the good you’ve done,
Will soon get swept away;
1 Simon Zealotes. He is only called “Zealotes” or Zelotes” once in the Bible (Acts 1:13). It is thought that
he got this name because he was originally a member of the “zealots,” a radical Jewish group who wanted
to drive the Romans out of Israel by force. This “radical” association is used in Jesus Christ Superstar. 2 Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene is mentioned several times in the Bible. She is a very controversial
figure. There is a belief that she was a prostitute before she became a follower of Jesus, but the Bible itself
does not say this. She has often been imagined as in love with Jesus, or even as his wife (as in the best-
selling novel, The Da Vinci Code). 3 Where we all soon will be = the situation we’ll soon be in. 4 The man = Jesus.
2
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 man1 all along!
You have set them all on fire,
They think they’ve found the new Messiah,2
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
Gets twisted round some other way,
And they’ll hurt you if they think you’ve lied.
Nazareth3 your famous son should have stayed a great unknown
Like his father carving wood4—he’d have made good
Tables, chairs and oaken chests, 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?5
We are occupied6—have you forgotten how put down7 we are?
I am frightened by the crowd,
For we are getting much too loud
And they’ll crush us 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.
Listen Jesus to the warning I give!
Please remember that I want us to live!
So come on, come on—he won’t listen to me.
Come on listen!—listen to me! etc.
Bethany, Friday night.
1 Your right hand man = your closest and most reliable supporter. 2 Messiah = “chosen one.” The Jews believed a Messiah would come who would free Israel from the
Romans and rule over them peacefully. The believed the Messiah would be human. 3 Nazareth = the place Jesus came from. 4 Like his father carving wood. Jesus’s father, Joseph, was a carpenter. 5 Keep in our place = not be rebellious; accept the rule of the Romans. 6 Occupied = colonized (by the Romans). 7 Put down = kept subordinate (by the Romans).
3
Disciples: What’s the buzz?1
Tell me what’s happening, etc.
Jesus: Why should you want to know?
Don’t you mind2 about the future, don’t you try to think ahead.
Save tomorrow for tomorrow, think about today instead.
Disciples: What’s the buzz?
Tell me what’s happening, etc.
Jesus: I could give you facts and figures,
Even give you plans and forecasts, ┐
Even tell you where I’m going. │
│
Disciples: When do we ride to Jerusalem? etc. ┘
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.
Disciples: What’s the buzz?
Tell me what’s happening, etc.
Mary: Let me try to cool down your face a bit, etc.
Jesus: Mary, that is good.
(To the disciples.) 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.
Disciples: What’s the buzz?
Tell me what’s happening, etc.
Judas: (To Jesus.) It seems to me a strange thing, mystifying,
That a man like you can waste his time on women of her kind.3
Yes, I can understand that she amuses,
But to let her kiss you, stroke your hair, that’s 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.
1 What’s the buzz? = What’s the news? What’s happening? 2 Mind = worry. 3 Women of her kind = women who had been prostitutes.
4
It doesn’t help us if you’re inconsistent,
They1 only need a small excuse to put us all away.2
Jesus: Who are you to criticise 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!3
If your slate is not, then leave her alone!
(To everyone.) 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): No you’re wrong! You’re very wrong!
How can you say that? etc.
Jesus: Not one—not one of you!
Annas visits his superior, Caiaphas.
Caiaphas: We’ve been sitting on the fence4 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: Jesus is important!
We’ve let him go his way5 before
And while he starts a major war
We theorise and chatter!
Annas: He’s just another scripture thumping6
Hack7 from Galilee!
Caiaphas: The difference is they1 call him “King,”
The difference frightens me!
1 They = the authorities. 2 To put us all away = to lock us all up, to suppress us. 3 If your slate is clean—then you can throw stones! = if you have done nothing wrong yourself, then you
can criticize others. 4 Sitting on the fence = indecisive, not making a choice. Caiaphas means they have not decided what to do
about the “problem” of Jesus. 5 Go his way = act as he wants to. 6 Thumping = quoting (a lot). Annas means that Jesus is always quoting the “scripture,” the Jewish holy
books. 7 Hack = minor politician trying to win support.
5
What about the Romans?
When they see “King Jesus” crowned
Do you think they’ll stand around
Cheering and applauding?
What about our people,
If they see we’ve lost our nerve?2
Don’t you think that they deserve
Something more rewarding?3
Annas: They’ve got what they want,
They think so, anyway.
If he’s what they want
Why take their toy away?
He’s a craze!
Caiaphas: Put yourself in my place.
I can hardly step aside,
Cannot let my hands be tied:4
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!5
Caiaphas: Then we are decided?
Annas: Then we are decided.
Mary sings to Jesus.
Mary: Try not to get worried, try not to turn on to6
Problems that upset you—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,7 so forget all about us tonight.
1 They = the people. 2 Nerve = courage (to do something about Jesus). 3 Something more rewarding = something better than Jesus. 4 Cannot let my hands be tied = cannot be (made) inactive. 5 Or they won’t see = or the other priests won’t realize the danger (of Jesus). 6 Turn on to = think about. 7 We’ll get by = we’ll be alright (on our own, without Jesus).
Judas: (To Mary.) 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!
(To Jesus.) People who are hungry, people who are starving,
May matter more than your feet and hair!
Mary: (To Judas.) Try not to get worried, try not to turn on to
Problems that upset you—don’t you know
Everything’s alright, yes, everything’s alright.
Jesus: Surely you’re not saying we have the resources
To save the poor from their lot?2
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 and you’ll be sorry when I’m gone.
Mary: Sleep and I shall soothe you, etc.
All: Everything’s alright, yes, everything’s alright, yes etc.
Jerusalem, Sunday.
Priest: 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!
1 Myrrh = an expensive, perfumed ointment. 2 Lot = situation, condition.
7
Crowd: Hosanna!1 Superstar! etc.
Annas: Listen to that howling mob of blockheads2 in the street!
A trick or two with lepers3 and the whole town’s on its feet.4
Priests: He is dangerous!
Crowd: Jesus Christ Superstar—tell us that you’re who they say you are.
Priests: He is dangerous!
Priest: The man is in town right now to whip up some support.5
Priest: A rabble rousing mission that I think we must abort.
Priests: He is dangerous!
Crowd: Jesus Christ Superstar!
Priests: He is dangerous!
Priest: Look Caiaphas—they’re right outside our yard.6
Priest: 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: 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: But how can we stop him?
Priest: His glamour increases—
1 Hosanna! Hosanna literally means “save us.” It is a word used to praise God. 2 Blockheads = idiots. 3 A trick or two with lepers. Annas is referring to Jesus’s supposed “miracles.” Jesus healed many ill
people, but Annas suggests it was just “tricks.” 4 The whole town’s on its feet = everyone is excited. 5 Whip up some support = gather supporters. 6 Yard = territory (the property of the temple).
8
Priest: By leaps every minute!
Priest: He’s top of the poll.1
Caiaphas: I see bad things arising—the crowd crown him king,
Which the Romans would ban.
I see blood and destruction,
Our elimination2 because of one man,
Blood and destruction because of one man.
Priests: Because, because, because of one man.
Caiaphas: Our elimination because of one man.
Priests: Because, because, because of one, ’cause of one, cause of one man.
Priest: What then to do about this Jesusmania?
Annas: How do we deal with the carpenter king?
Priest: Where do we start with a man who is bigger
Priest: Than John was when John did his Baptism thing?3
Caiaphas: Fools! You have no perception!
The stakes we are gambling are frighteningly high!4
We must crush him completely—
So like John before him, this Jesus must die.
For the sake of the nation, this Jesus must die!
Priests: Must die, must die, this Jesus must die.
Caiaphas: So like John before him, this Jesus must die.
Priests: Must die, must die, this Jesus must, Jesus must, Jesus must die!
Crowd: Hosanna, Heysanna,5 Sanna Sanna Ho,
Sanna, Hey Sanna, Ho Sanna,
1 Top of the poll = the most popular (of leaders). This is a slang expression. 2 Our elimination. Caiaphas means that if Jesus caused trouble the Romans would attempt to destroy the
Jewish religion. 3 Than John was when John did his Baptism thing = a reference to John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus,
who was a religious leader. John “baptized” his followers by pouring water over their heads. He was
executed. 4 The stakes we are gambling are frighteningly high = we are playing a very dangerous game. 5 Heysanna. This is a made-up word that sounds a bit like “hosanna” and incorporates the idea of “hey,” a
friendly greeting.
9
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.
(To Jesus.) 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,1
Sanna, Ho Sanna, Hey Superstar!
Jesus: (To Caiaphas.) Why waste your breath moaning at the crowd?
Nothing can be done to stop the shouting!
If every tongue was still2 the noise would still continue,
The rocks and stones themselves would start to sing—
Crowd: 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 out for yourselves, for you are blessed!
There is not one of you who cannot win the Kingdom:3
The slow, the suffering, the quick,4 the dead!
Crowd: Hosanna, Heysanna, Sanna Sanna Ho,
Sanna, Hey Sanna, Ho Sanna,
Hey JC, JC won’t you die for me?
Sanna, Ho Sanna, Hey Superstar!
Outside the city.
Simon Zealotes: Christ you know I love you,
and Crowd Did you see I waved?5
I believe in you and God,
So tell me that I’m saved!
1 You’re alright by me = I like you, I’m happy with you. 2 Still = quiet. 3 Win the Kingdom = enter Heaven. 4 The quick = the living (people). In the Bible Jesus is described as the judge “of quick and dead” (Acts
10:42), i.e. the living and the dead. 5 Waved = recognized you, acknowledged you.
10
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 Z: Christ, what more do you need to convince you
That you’ve made it,1 and you’re easily as strong
As the filth from Rome who rape our country
And who’ve terrorised our people for so long?
Crowd: Jesus I am with you,
Touch me, touch me, Jesus!
Jesus! I am on your side,
Kiss me, kiss me, Jesus!
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, etc.
Simon Z: There must be over fifty thousand,
Screaming love and more for you,
And everyone of fifty thousand
Would do whatever you ask them to!
Keep them yelling their devotion,
But add a touch of hate at Rome,2
You will rise to a greater power,
We will win ourselves a home!3
You’ll get the power and the glory,
For ever and ever and ever,
You’ll get the power and the glory,
For ever and ever and ever, etc.
Amen!
Jesus: Neither you, Simon, nor the fifty thousand,
Nor the Romans, nor the Jews, nor Judas, nor the Twelve,4
1 Made it = been successful (in establishing yourself as a strong leader). 2 Keep them yelling their devotion, / But add a touch of hate at Rome = keep your supporters enthusiastic
(by doing what you already do), but add some anti-Roman sentiments to what you say. I.e. encourage your
supporters to fight against Rome. 3 A home = a free homeland, a free Israel. 4 The Twelve = the twelve disciples of Jesus.
11
Nor the Priests, nor the Scribes,
Nor doomed Jerusalem1 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.
Pontius Pilate’s house, Monday.
Pilate: I dreamed I met a Galilean,2
A most amazing man!
He had that look you very rarely find,
The haunting, 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,3 and then disappeared again.
Then I saw thousands of millions
Crying for this man,
And then I heard them mentioning my name
And leaving me the blame.
The Temple, Jerusalem.
Merchants: Roll on up Jerusalem,4
Come on in Jerusalem!
Sunday, here we go again,
Live in me Jerusalem,
Here you live Jerusalem,
Here you breathe Jerusalem,
While your temple still survives,
You at least are still alive!5
1 Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a city, but in this song when Jesus says Jerusalem he means the Jewish people. 2 A Galilean = someone from Galilee, in this case Jesus. 3 Fell on him = attacked him violently. 4 Roll on up Jerusalem = come here (people of) Jerusalem. 5 You at least are still alive! I.e. even though Israel is a Roman colony, the survival of the Jewish Temple
and religion means that the Jewish people are still “alive.” Their cultural identity still exists.
12
I’ve got things you won’t believe,
Name your pleasure1—I will sell
I can fix2 your wildest needs
I’ve got heaven—I’ve got hell!
Roll on up—for my price is down!
Come on in—for the best in town!
Take your pick of the finest wine!
Lay your bets on this bird of mine!
What you see is what you get,
No-one’s been disappointed yet!
Don’t be scared, give me a try,
There is nothing you can’t buy!
Name your price, I got everything!
Hurry, it’s all going fast!
Borrow cash on the finest terms3
Hurry now while stocks still last,
Roll on up Jerusalem, etc.
Jesus: My Temple should be a house of prayer,
But you have made it a den of thieves!4
Get out! Get out!
Out in the countryside.
Jesus: My time is almost through.5
Little left to do.
After all I’ve tried for three years,6 seems like thirty,
Seems like thirty.
Lepers: 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,
1 Name your pleasure = tell me what you want. 2 Fix = satisfy. 3 On the finest terms = with the best rate of interest. The merchants are offering banking services. 4 My Temple should be a house of prayer, / But you have made it a den of thieves! These words are taken
almost literally from the Bible: “It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of
thieves” (Luke 19:46). The significance of this passage is that Jesus calls the Temple “My house,” which
suggests that he thinks he is God. 5 My time is almost through = my mission is almost completed. 6 For three years. Jesus’s mission lasted for three years (the period during which he was preaching, healing,
etc).
13
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?
See my eyes, etc.
Jesus: There’s too many of you—don’t push me!
There’s too little of me—don’t crowd me!
Leave me alone!
The evening. Jesus goes to bed.
Mary: Close your eyes, close your eyes,
And forget all about us tonight.
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 men before—1
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 it 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.
1 I’ve had so many men before = I’ve had sexual relationships with so many men before.
14
He scares me so.
I want him so.
I love him so.
Tuesday. Judas has come to visit the priests.
Judas: Now if I help you, it matters that you see
These sordid kind of things are coming hard to me!1
It’s taken me some time to work out what to do—
I weighed the whole thing up before I came to you.
I have 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!2
I came because I had to, I’m the one who saw
Jesus can’t control it like he did before!
And furthermore I know that Jesus thinks so too.
Jesus wouldn’t mind that I was here with you!
I have 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 sympathise.
Why are we the prophets?3 Why are we the ones?
Who see the sad solution—know what must be done!
I have 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 this matter won’t go unrewarded.
1 These sordid kind of things are coming hard to me! = this kind of dirty action (betraying Jesus) is difficult
for me to do! 2 Just don’t say I’m / Damned for all time! = don’t tell me that I’ll be “damned” in the future because of
what I’ve done. “Damned” literally means “sent to Hell,” but Judas (like Pilate) is also worried about his
future reputation in the world—in this sense “damned” means severely criticized. 3 The prophets = the people who can predict what is going to happen. Judas and the priests both “prophecy”
that Jesus’s actions will create trouble for the Israelites.
15
Caiaphas: We’ll pay you in silver, cash on the nail!1
We just need to know where the soldiers can find him.
Annas: With no crowd around him.
Caiaphas: Then we can’t fail.
Judas: I don’t want your blood money!
Caiaphas: Oh, that doesn’t matter, our expenses are good.
Judas: I don’t need your blood money!
Annas: But you might as well take it—
We think that you should.
Caiaphas: Think of the things you can 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
Annas: A fee.
Caiphas: A fee, nothing more.
Judas: On Thursday night you’ll find him where you want him:
Far from the crowds in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Choir: Well done Judas,
Good old Judas!
Thursday evening, The Last Supper.
Disciples: Look at all my trials and tribulations,
Sinking in a gentle pool of wine.2
Don’t disturb me now, I can see the answers—
Till this evening is this morning3 life is fine!
Always hoped that I’d be an apostle,
Knew that I would make it4 if I tried,
Then when we retire we can write the gospels,5
So they’ll still talk about us when we’ve died.
1 Cash on the nail = immediate cash (we’ll pay you immediately). 2 Sinking in a gentle pool of wine = being forgotten, as I drink wine. 3 Till this evening is this morning = until tomorrow morning. 4 Make it = succeed. 5 The gospels = biographies of Jesus, of which there are four in the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
16
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!1
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—
There are confused cries of “No!”
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!2
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!3
1 Out of my head = crazy. 2 Cut out the dramatics! = don’t be so theatrical! 3 You Judas! Jesus uses the name Judas as a word of abuse, just as it has often been used since Judas’s
betrayal.
17
Judas: You want me to do it!
What if I just stayed here
And ruined your ambition?1
Christ you deserve it!
Jesus: Hurry you fool, hurry and go,
Save me2 your speeches, I don’t want to know—Go! Go!
Disciples: 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,3
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, and all because of you!
And now the saddest cut4 of all—
Someone has to turn you in5
Like a common criminal, like a wounded animal:
A jaded mandarin,6
A jaded mandarin,
Like a jaded, faded mandarin!
Jesus: Get out! They’re waiting!
Get out! They’re waiting for you!
Judas: Every time I look at you I don’t understand,
Why you let the things you did get so out of hand.7
You’d have managed better if you’d had it planned!
Disciples: Always hoped that I’d be an apostle, etc.
The night, the Garden of Gethsemane.
Jesus: Will no-one stay awake with me?
Peter? John? James?
1 Your ambition = your wish to be arrested and executed. 2 Save me = don’t give me. 3 It’s gone to my head = it’s affected my head, it’s made me feel strange. 4 Cut = insult. 5 Turn you in = give you to the authorities. 6 Mandarin = wise leader. 7 Out of hand = out of control.
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Will none of you wait with me?
Peter? John? James?
(Praying.) I only want to say,
If there is a way,
Take this cup1 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 tree2—
I’d wanna know, I’d wanna know my God,
I’d wanna know, I’d wanna know my God,
I’d wanna see, I’d wanna see my God,
I’d wanna see, I’d wanna see my God,
Why I should die!
Would I be more noticed than I ever was 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 know, I’d have to know my Lord,
I’d have to see, I’d have to see my Lord,
I’d have to see, I’d have to see my Lord,
If I die what will be my reward?
If I die what will be my reward?
I’d have to know, I’d have to know my Lord,
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 but not so hot on why!3
Alright I’ll die!
Just watch me die!
See how I die!
Just watch me die!
1 This cup = my destiny (this fate you [God] intend for me). Jesus makes the same prayer in the Bible
(Matthew 26:39); however, in the Bible there is no reference to the “cup” containing poison. 2 Their tree = the cross. 3 Not so hot on why = not so good at telling me WHY I have to die.
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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,1
But you hold every card!2
I will drink your cup of poison!
Nail me to your cross and break me,
Bleed me, beat me, kill me, take me now—
Before I change my mind!
Judas enters with soldiers and kisses Jesus.
Jesus: Judas—must you betray me with a kiss?
Disciples: What’s the buzz? Tell me what’s happening, etc.
Hang on Lord, we’re gonna fight for you! etc.
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!3
Jesus is led away by the soldiers. A crowd gathers round them.
Crowd:4 Tell me Christ how you feel tonight!
Do you plan to put up a fight?
Do you feel that you’ve had the breaks?5
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,
1 Thy will is hard = it’s hard to do what you want done. 2 But you hold every card! = but you are the one with all the power and knowledge. 3 Stick to fishing from now on! = just do fishing from now on. Several of the disciples were fishermen
before they started following Jesus. 4 The crowd here mimics the behavior of modern media reporters. 5 Had the breaks = had decent opportunities.
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Let us know what you’re gonna do!
You know what your supporters feel—
You’ll escape in the final reel!1
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’ve got him! etc.
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!
Now we have got him!
Take him to Pilate! etc.
Elsewhere, Peter is recognized as a follower of Jesus.
Woman: 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—he looked just like you.
1 In the final reel = at the end of the film. This imagines that the story of Jesus is already a film, and is one
of several very anachronistic expressions in Jesus Christ Superstar!
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Peter: I don’t know him!
Mary: Peter—don’t you know what you have said?
You’ve gone and cut him dead.1
Peter: I had to do it, don’t you see?
Or else they’d go for me.
Mary: It’s what he told us you would do—
I wonder how he knew…
Friday. Jesus is brought to Pilate.
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: Your words, not mine.
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 cool2 about his fate?
An amazing thing—this silent king!
Since you come from Galilee3 then you need not come to me—
You’re Herod’s race! You’re Herod’s case!
Crowd: 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?
The soldiers take Jesus to Herod.
1 Cut him dead. If you “cut” someone you hurt their feelings. Mary suggests that Peter has hurt Jesus so
much that he will die. 2 Cool = unconcerned. 3 Since you come from Galilee = since you are Jewish.
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Herod: Jesus I am overjoyed to meet you face to face!
You’ve been getting quite a name1 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, then I’ll know it’s all true.
C’mon2 King of the Jews!
Jesus you just won’t believe the hit you’ve made3 around here!
You are all we talk about—you’re the wonder of the year!
Oh what a pity if it’s all a lie!
Still I’m sure that you can rock the cynics4 if you try!
So if you are the Christ, yes 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 what 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?
Jesus, 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 here you! Get out of my life!
There is a dream sequence in which Jesus’s followers address him as he wanders in the
desert.
Mary: I’ve been living to see you,
Dying to see you, but it shouldn’t be like this—
This was unexpected,
1 Name = reputation, celebrity. 2 C’mon = come on. 3 The hit you’ve made = the impact you’ve had. 4 Rock the cynics = disprove and confound the cynics (the people who say Jesus is an imposter).
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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? etc.
The soldiers throw Jesus into a cave. Judas sees him there, then goes to the priests.
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 . . and I’d save him ... if I could.
Annas: Cut the confessions,1 forget the excuses,
I don’t understand why you’re filled with remorse!
All that you’ve said has come true with a vengeance2
The mob turned against him—you backed the right horse!3
Caiaphas: What you have done will be the saving of everyone,
You’ll be remembered forever for this!
1 Cut the confessions = don’t give us your confessions. 2 Come true with a vengeance = come very true. 3 You backed the right horse = you supported the winners (the priests).
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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 out1 the nation,
For I have been saddled with2 the murder of you!
I have been splattered with innocent blood.
I shall be dragged through the slime and the mud.3
I have been splattered with innocent blood.
I shall be dragged through the slime and 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 is not a King. He’s just the same
As any one I know.
He scares me so!
When he’s cold and dead will he let me be?4
Does he love me too? Does he care for me?
My mind is in darkness.
My God, I am sick. I’ve been used.5
And you knew, all the time.
God, I will never know why you chose me...
For your crime ... your foul bloody crime.
You have murdered me! Murdered me! Murdered...
Choir: Poor old Judas,
So long Judas.
Judas hangs himself. Jesus is taken to Pilate again.
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:6
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!
1 Sell out = betray. 2 Saddled with = made responsible for. 3 I shall be dragged through the slime and the mud = my reputation will be dirtied, or bad. Again Judas is
worried about what people in the future will say about him. 4 Let me be = leave me alone. 5 Used = used by God. Judas now realizes that God needed someone to betray Jesus and chose him, Judas. 6 Nazareth = someone from Nazareth, i.e. Jesus.
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Pilate: Talk to me, Jesus Christ.
You have been brought here—manacled, beaten
By your own people—
Do you have the first idea1 why you deserve it?
Listen, King of the Jews
Where is your Kingdom?
Look at me—am I a Jew?
Jesus: I have no Kingdom; in this world I’m through.2
Crowd: Talk to me Jesus Christ.
Jesus: There may be a Kingdom for me somewhere—if you only knew.
Pilate: Then you’re a king then?
Jesus: It’s you that say I am!
I look for truth and find that I get damned.3
Pilate: But what is truth? Is truth unchanging law?
We both have truths—are mine the same as yours?
Crowd: Crucify him! Crucify him!
Pilate: What do you mean? You’d crucify your King?
Crowd: We have no King but Caesar!
Pilate: He’s done no wrong. No, not the slightest thing.
Crowd: 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.4
Crowd: We need him crucified, it’s all you have to do.
Pilate: Talk to me Jesus Christ.
(To the people.) Look at your Jesus Christ!
1 The first idea = any idea. 2 Through = finished. 3 Damned = criticized. 4 Messiahs by the sackful = large numbers of messiahs.
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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!
Crowd: Crucify him, crucify him!
Pilate: Behold the man, behold your shattered King.
Crowd: We have no King but Caesar!
Pilate: You hypocrites, you hate us1 more than him!
Crowd: 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.
Crowd: Crucify him! Crucify him! etc.
Jesus is flogged.
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 hold your life in my hands?2
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;3
Everything is fixed, and you can’t change it.
Pilate: You’re a fool Jesus Christ! How can I help you?
Crowd: Pilate! Crucify him! Crucify!
Remember Caesar—you have a duty!
To keep the peace so crucify him!
Remember Caesar—you’ll be demoted,
1 Us = the Romans. 2 I hold your life in my hands = I can decide whether you live or die. 3 From far beyond = from God.
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You’ll be deported, crucify him! etc.
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,1
Die if you want to, you innocent puppet!
Judas descends from the sky—and the future.
Judas: Every time 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 today2 you could have reached a whole nation!
Israel in 4 BC had no mass communication.
Don’t you get me wrong3 now. Don’t you get me wrong. Don’t you get me
wrong.
I only want to know now....
Choir: Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ,
Who are you? What have you sacrificed? etc.
Jesus Christ, Superstar
Do you think you’re what they say you are? etc.
Judas: Tell me what you think about your friends at the top!
Who d’you think besides yourself’s the pick of the crop?4
Buddah, was he where it’s at?5 Is he where you are?
Could Mahomet move a mountain, or was that just PR?6
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? etc.
Jesus Christ, Superstar
Do you think you’re what they say you are? etc.
Jesus is led to the place of execution and crucified.
1 I wash my hands of your demolition = I accept no responsibility for what happens to you now. Pilate is
saying that because Jesus won’t cooperate with him (Pilate), he can’t protect him. 2 Today = in the future. 3 Don’t you get me wrong = don’t misunderstand me. 4 The pick of the crop = the best (of the religious leaders). 5 Was he where it’s at? = was he cool? 6 PR = public relations. Judas asks was the story just an advertisement, to attract the public.
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Jesus: God forgive them—they don’t know what they’re doing.
