1. |
What Do We Do Now
01:13
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[Elizabeth]
So it’s Thursday, in the morning
I called him, he said he’d be here
Said he’d be open, I’m not joking
Or was I dreaming? Was I drunk then?
Did I invent an entire phone call?
He said he’d be here, he said he’d be open
[Elizabeth + Townsfolk Choir]
What do we do now?
We drove for hours to get here
[Elizabeth]
And Aunt Sara’s hard to transport
With her dementia, her weak hips,
And the price of gas which bleeds me dry
Then there’s the Volvo, that’s why we drove here
There’s no one else who knows how to fix it
Unless I drive into New Hampshire
[Elizabeth + Townsfolk Choir]
What do we do now?
We drove for hours to get here
[Elizabeth]
I swear I called him, he said he’d be here
Said he’d be open 12 to 5
This shop’s deserted
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2. |
Interlude #1
00:32
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[Elizabeth + harmony]
Load ‘em up Aunt Sara
Load ‘em up and off to town
We’ve done an awful lot of driving
Now we’ll have to hang around
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3. |
||||
[Elizabeth + harmony]
Do you remember, Aunt Sara, when this was a dirt road?
Do you remember how the maples used to hang low?
The trees formed a tunnel that we would drive through
And on the brightest day, the sun barely touched you
Oh the roads get paved, don’t they?
They say it’s progress, but it passes by the rest of us
Do you remember, Aunt Sara, when Eddie used to live here?
He had 8 or 9 kids and one of them couldn’t hear
He never heard the car coming down the paved road
The whole town paid his care till he could walk again
Oh the roads get paved, don’t they?
They say it’s progress, but it passes by the rest of us
I think developers are murders, they kill the beauty
We can drive faster now, but I don’t care, I’d rather drive slowly
oooh oooh
oooh oooh
Do you remember, Aunt Sara, when this was a dirt road?
Do you remember how the maples used to hang low?
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4. |
Watch Your Mouth
01:21
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[Aunt Sara]
Hey, girl
Watch your mouth, girl
I don’t like the way you talk, girl
I don’t like the way you look
Let me out of the car right now
[Elizabeth]
This is not like you
You are not this mean
This is your disease
I won’t let you out
No, no, no, no
[Repeat both verses together]
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5. |
You Forget
02:15
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[Elizabeth]
You forget
My name everyday
But I don’t mind, I don’t mind
It must be hard to forget
Where you are, who you’re with
All the time, all the time
And I’m sorry for the trouble of this little trip
For all that I knew, it was going to be quick
You can get out, walk around
When we get to the town
And look, here we are, here we are
I forget
How small towns can be
Everyone staring at us, staring at us
And it’s clear that we’ll have to wait in this café
I only hope we won’t be here all day
Take a look at the old man over there
Looks like he’s seen a ghost, he’s seen a ghost
Is that someone that you know?
Well, you wouldn’t if you did
But he’s coming here, he’s coming here
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6. |
Oh My
02:13
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[Old Man]
Oh, my
My lady, you’re beautiful
Oh, my
A triumph of agelessness
I’m a young man again
In the shadow of your grace
[Aunt Sara]
Who is this man? Do I know you?
Pardon me, but just who are you?
Old man, stay away from me
[Old Man]
Oh, my
My lady, you’re clever too
Oh, my
You speak like an angel
I’ll be your old fool
If you’ll be my sweet lady
[Aunt Sara]
Chatter all you want to chatter
I don’t know you, you don’t matter
Old man, stay away from me
[Elizabeth]
Sara, who are you?
This man’s trying to woo you
I’m sorry sir, dementia
You know how it goes
[Old Man]
Oh, my
She’s from heaven, I know it
Oh, my
Sent from God to spare the loneliness
Come inside with me, I pray
A cup of coffee, I’ll pay
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7. |
Rita
02:55
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[Old Man]
Every day, I come to this café, to drink my coffee
I’m not alone, we come in droves, it’s our second home here
Rita serves everyday but Sunday, and sometimes Tuesday
She’s got a daughter, named after her mother, who serves on Wednesday
Seven years ago, her husband left her for a woman half his age
Rita knows every person’s order and knows their pain
Knows how Paul needs silent solace for the loss of his son
Then there’s Jocko, who lives a good life, married a good wife
Rita suspects he’s the only man in town who’s happy
Still, no one really knows ‘cause he never speaks a word
[Old Man + Townsfolk Choir]
Every day, we come to this café, to drink our coffee
To feel less alone, we come in droves, it’s our second home here
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8. |
Superwaitress
02:39
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[Rita]
What’ll it be honey?
Paying with cash money?
Fry cook is on vacation
So we only have the grill station
Coffee is fresh all day
Is this for here or take away?
Is this for here or take away?
Do you want cheese on that?
Ok if the coke’s a little flat?
Bottled or tap water?
How’s your oldest daughter?
Be back on Monday, I believe
Make sure you say goodbye before you leave
Make sure you say goodbye before you leave
If I don’t write it, I’ll forget
Honey, I’m not the type to bet
The special today’s homemade pot roast
Rye, white, or wheat for your toast?
You’ve shaved your beard, well, look at that
Your little Charlie’s getting fat
Your little Charlie’s getting fat
[Rita + harmony]
Honey, I’ve been here since 5 a.m.
You can’t count the number of varicose veins
Spidery webs creeping up my thighs
Even my shoes have started to apologize
I’ll bring the check right around
Your wallet’s in the lost and found
These walls have seen a thing or two
Babies grow up and work here too
Since when did you take your coffee black?
[Rita + Townsfolk Choir]
Honey be sure to come on back (come on back)
Honey be sure to come on back (come on back)
Honey be sure to come on back (come on back)
Honey be sure to come on back (come on back)
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9. |
I Remember This Place
01:41
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[Elizabeth]
I remember this place
I remember that face
It’s a long time since I’ve been in this café
There was a time I thought the world
Went no further than the birch tree
In the back yard
There was a time when I thought broken glass
Was diamonds
Still every chance that I could
I made spaceships out of wood
Anything to take me away
[Elizabeth + harmony]
Oh oh oh
[Elizabeth]
And as I grew I came to see
That I was meant to learn my limits
And live inside them
The edge of town was like a belt
That cinched too tight
And the kids were so cruel
Everyday at school
There was nothing worse to be than me
[Elizabeth + harmony]
So I got away
Oh oh oh
[Elizabeth]
And I never thought I would be back
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10. |
Interlude #2
00:33
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[Elizabeth + harmony]
Time to check on the mechanic
Time to see if he’s decided to show
We can’t spend our whole day here
I’ll go call, and then it’s time to go
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11. |
Lover's Waltz
03:24
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[Old Man]
Is it too soon to tell you that I love you?
The way your eyes are drenched in wrinkles all around
The aqua net curls that frame your tiny forehead
This lonely winter is starting to thaw
It’s been a long one this time around
But you’re my crocus you are
You’re pushing through frozen ground
The surest sign that life goes on
[Aunt Sara]
I don’t know you, I can’t place your face
I had a love once with a mouth just like yours
Maybe you are him, maybe, I don’t know
This wild ocean is starting to calm
It’s gotten hard to hold on for long
But you’re my Poseidon you are
You’re holding off the treacherous tide
And I can see beyond the waves
[Together]
Is it too soon to tell you that I love you?
We’re getting old now, we might as well say
Grab a hold of life and love while we’re still here
This little fire is starting to burn
When you’re close to the end
It’s better to have a lamp light your way
I’ll be your lamp, I’ll light the dark
And love will carry us home
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12. |
The Argument
02:24
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[Mechanic]
Hello?
[Elizabeth]
Yesterday, in a fit of preparation
Thinking of all the things there were to do
I called you, I called you
It isn’t easy to transport an aging woman
Her fragile bones and mind could break at any time
But I called you, I called you
And then today, because of what you said
I drove for hours to get to you
Because you’d be open
You said you’d be open
But when reality called on my behalf
Suddenly, there were we standing in the draft
Of an empty shop, how could this be?
Why did you lie to me?
Now we’re stuck in some Podunk little town
Wasting time and waiting when we ought to be debating
The price of labor, how could this be?
Why did you lie to me?
[Mechanic]
Well, I said I’d be open, I never said I’d be here
[Elizabeth]
Is this some kind of joke?
Is your mind so small that you would answer my call
With this worthless drivel, I’m sorry, I’m angry
I don’t understand, we’re coming over now
[Elizabeth + harmony]
Please don’t leave
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13. |
Fire's In The Kitchen
01:20
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[All]
Fire’s in the kitchen
Fire’s in the kitchen
Who’s in the kitchen
Who’s in the kitchen
Fire’s in the kitchen
Someone’s got to put it out
Smoke’s in the kitchen
Someone’s in the kitchen
Fire’s in the kitchen
Fire’s in the kitchen
Someone’s got the kitchen
The rest of you have got to get out
[Repeat 1 & 2]
Fire’s in the kitchen
Fire’s in the kitchen
Boy, go get some water
Boy, go get some water
Throw the water at
The fire in the kitchen, boy
[Boom!]
Now the fire’s burning
Now the fire’s burning
Fire’s all around, now
Fire’s all around, now
Now the fire’s burning
Someone call the STFD
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14. |
Interlude #3 (Sara)
00:44
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[Elizabeth + Townsfolk Choir]
Sara, Sara, Sara, Sara, Sara, Sara, Sara?
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15. |
I Remember
03:31
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[Aunt Sara]
I remember when Charlotte walked up those old stairs
Like a fresh young woman without any cares
But the cancer had eaten, she was almost gone
And a few weeks later, she was
I remember how Eric showed his teeth when he smiled
A redhead with eyes mischievous or beguiled
He was taken too soon, no one knows why
And the trial sent one man to jail
I remember William in our home on Arch Street
With his 26 grandchildren there at his feet
When Carol died, he said, “I’ll be the next”
And a few weeks later, he was
My mind fails me now
Won’t be long, I will join them, I will
Don’t be sad when I’m gone
The heart only has so much room for breaking
I remember when Ian died, it was night
There was a beautiful sunset, my God, what a sight
But the cancer had eaten, he was just 21
And his sister was there when he died
I remember my Hannah with her long honey hair
Smiling and sinking into her chair
But a winter night came
And the ice flipped her car
And her mother, she never recovered
I remember the gentle Benjamin DeFaunt
He was the first son of my late husband’s aunt
He loved me, I loved him
But our love could not be
And in time, he just disappeared
My mind fails me now
Won’t be long, I will join them I will
Don’t be sad when I’m gone
The heart only has so much room for breaking
I remember them all so well
[Dies]
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16. |
Post-Fire Lament
04:55
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17. |
Finale
03:21
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[Jocko]
Do you need a phone?
[Garrison]
Do you need some tea?
[Richard]
I can drive you home
[Alicia Grace]
You want to stay with me?
[Townsfolk]
Is there someone we can call?
You shouldn’t try to talk
Lean against this wall
Here, I’ll help you walk
She was smiling when she passed
That ought to ease your heart
Tragedies, they always come on fast
It was a terrible mistake
Throwing water onto oil
A bitter twist of fate
Brought you to this soil
It wasn’t just your aunt
We lost the old man, too
Benjamin DeFaunt
Of Colusa Avenue
[Elizabeth]
Benjamin DeFaunt
Gentle Benjamin DeFaunt
[Townsfolk repeat first two verses + chorus with Elizabeth underneath]
[Elizabeth]
. . . Stranger, he was not a stranger
. . . He knew there was danger, he came to soothe her
. . . Like a father sings to his child when the thunder breaks
. . . He held her hand, he walked with her the whole way
. . . What more can a person ask?
. . . Somehow it does
. . . they always come on fast
[All]
They were smiling when they went
And that eases our hearts
There’s love in death, it isn’t just the end
[fin]
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18. |
The Folk Opera San Francisco, California
Written and composed on the ukulele during a 6-week trip on two distant continents,recorded live at The Tower Studios in SF’s Mission District, and self-released digitally and on vinyl in December 2010, Annie Bacon’s The Folk Opera is a haunting and triumphant extended musical suite written for ukulele, upright bass, fiddle, trumpet, and multiple voices. ... more
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