St. John’s Messiah
Full-Cast Song Samples
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The One
This is the story of Jesus, the Messiah. It's a story that begins in the tiny village of Bethlehem, in the province of Galilee, in the ancient country of Israel, where talk of a mysterious and long-awaited birth is starting to spread like wildfire.
The Baptist
Wearing only a tattered skin that barely covers anything, his beard unkept, his hair long and matted, the man called The Baptist pours water on their heads while mumbling incommunicable incantations. Suddenly he stops and looks up at the sky, his eyes raging.
Welcome to my World
A bright red flashing light is emanating from the monitor, reflecting off Temptra’s face, as she sits with her eyes transfixed on it. Satan hurries over. His heart sinks in his chest. The word, “MESSIAH” flashes brilliantly and boldly from the monitor. Satan walks slowly to the window and gazes downward. "Well I'll be damned. Look who's coming up my mountain!"
Meant to Fly
Jesus traveled throughout all of Syria and multitudes of people came to see him from Galilee and Jerusalem, and Judea, and even from beyond the Jordan. And seeing their numbers he felt great compassion for them. So he went out among them and touched them, and taught them, and healed them.
Blessed
While the authorities were putting together a plan to snuff out his disruptive ministry, Jesus was just outside the city gates relaxing with some of his followers. A sizeable crowd had already gathered so he started to teach them.
Their Just Reward
When it was discovered that Jesus would be visiting Jerusalem, a large crowd gathered to welcome him and honor him, and to officially bestow upon him the title, Messiah. But all too soon, he realized they had only one purpose in mind for him, and it had nothing to do with his mission or his teachings.
A Candle in the Night
Fear gives way to comfort, doubt gives way to courage, and darkness gives way to hope as Jesus delivers his final message in St. John’s Messiah’s joyous curtain-call finale.
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Please read the narration before playing the song. Then follow along with the lyrics and dialogue to see which characters are singing.
THE SCENE:
John walks to his bed and falls into it. His eyes stare intently at the ceiling. "God, help me. If you really want another gospel, you have to at least show me where to begin." His eyes grow heavy, then close. Music starts as a dream begins.
THE ONE — LYRICS
MAN 1: (singing)
Have you heard the story,
About the virgin down in Bethlehem
Who gave birth
WOMAN:
To a son.
MAN 1: (singing)
And they say he’s the one
Who will lead our people to glory;
WOMAN: (singing)
They say he’s the one
Who’ll bring Eden back to earth.
MAN 2: (singing)
Last night I had a vision,
A child was carried from his cradle by a dove,
Well, that child called to me
And I made a decision;
And I followed him
To a kingdom of love.
WOMAN OUTSIDE STABLE: (singing)
Listen to the quiet voices.
MAN OUTSIDE STABLE: (singing)
Kings and shepherds share the sight.
The Messiah’s come.
WOMAN OUTSIDE STABLE: (singing)
The world rejoices.
BOTH: (singing)
On this very night.
CHORUS: (singing)
So come, come join the celebration.
Behold the child whose eyes are like the morn’
For in them shines the dawning of Salvation,
‘Cause on this holy night, the Messiah’s born.
On this holy night, the Messiah’s born.
On this holy night he has come, and he’s the one.
He has come, he has come, and he’s the one…
Please read the narration before playing the song. Then follow along with the lyrics and dialogue to see which characters are singing.
THE SCENE:
Wearing only a tattered skin that barely covers anything, his beard unkept, his hair long and matted, The Baptist pours water on their heads while mumbling incommunicable incantations. Suddenly he stops and looks up at the sky, his eyes raging.
THE BAPTIST — LYRICS
BAPTIST: (singing)
Doom hovers heavy. Soon you're gonna see God's wrath.
And every tree that doesn't bear good fruit is gonna be cut in half.
The storm is here already. You feel it everywhere.
And it'll destroy everything in its path.
Can't you see the clouds building?
Don't you hear the rolling thunder? And everybody running for shelter.
Hey, don't you know what's happening here?!
Can't you feel the rain falling? Don't you hear the wind calling?
(pointing to a couple Pharisees standing on the hillside)
You high and mighty better start crawling.
'Cause he's coming. He's coming. I tell you he's coming!
The Baptist baptizes a couple more people, then turns his attention back to the crowd. As his discourse progresses, he becomes more and more animated, running up to people and screaming in their faces, flailing his arms, and shouting louder and louder. Some people embrace him. Others back off. Still others, like the Pharisees, walk away in disgust.
BAPTIST: (continuing, singing)
The time has come. You must repent.
The son of God's already been sent.
I'm just a lonely voice in the wilderness,
Trying to warn you to confess to every sin and wicked desire,
Or you will burn in the coming fire! The Lord has come!
His kingdom is at hand. It's time you understand,
Our Father will make him king of this land!
I teach and pray about the Holy Spirit.
But I could preach all day and you'd never hear it.
MAN IN CROWD: (singing)
We need to know, are you the savior?
Are you the one who all our prophets told us would come?
BAPTIST: (singing)
Believe me you'll know when you see your Messiah.
I baptize with water, but he'll baptize with fire!
The Lord has come! His kingdom is at hand.
The angels obey his commands.
So try to understand,
Our Father will make him king of this land.
Our Father will make him king of this land!
Please read the narration before playing the song. Then follow along with the lyrics and dialogue to see which characters are singing.
THE SCENE:
A bright red flashing light is emanating from the monitor, reflecting off Temptra’s face, as she sits with her eyes transfixed on it. Satan hurries over. His heart sinks in his chest.
SATAN:
Oh...my...God.
The word, “MESSIAH” flashes brilliantly and boldly from the monitor. Satan walks slowly to the window and gazes downward.
SATAN:
Well, I'll be damned. Look who's coming up my mountain.
Suddenly a look of rage comes over his face.
SATAN (looking up to God):
We had a deal. He was NOT supposed to be here yet!
Satan begins pacing, mumbling to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. Then he hurries to the monitor and shoves Temptra out of the way as he begins frantically punching data into the computer. His fingers move so fast smoke comes out of the keyboard.
SATAN:
Wait. Wait. No way...
He starts laughing joyously.
SATAN (continuing):
This can't be true. No, You wouldn't...
He runs to the middle of the floor, again looking up to God.
WELCOME TO MY WORLD — LYRICS
SATAN: (singing)
Well, well, Your Majesty, have you no shame?
You call me a snake, and now you’re playing my game.
Send your own son to ambush me, what a clever plan.
Well I’ve got news for you, you made one mistake,
And I’m just amazed with so much at stake.
If my calculations are right you made him a…man?
Ho, ho! Fisher, baker, priest, or cross maker,
They’re all the same to me.
I just sneak up behind ‘em,
I dazzle and blind ‘em,
And offer them the whole world for free.
They can’t resist!
And yet you send a mere mortal…to fight me!
Oh, dear Messiah, welcome to my world.
Feel free to take a twirl around the place.
Sample everything you see.
Here, nothing’s ever too much.
And there’s nothing you can’t touch or taste.
So, dear Messiah. Grab as much as you can.
You’re a great and powerful man,
You’re gonna love it here.
You can pick the fruit of every tree.
See how much you can eat.
And by the way, the apples are especially sweet this time of year.
So, dear Messiah… Welcome to my world!
You’re gonna love it here.
Please read the narration before playing the song. Then follow along with the lyrics and dialogue to see which characters are singing.
THE SCENE:
KORAZIM PLATEAU, GALILEE, 32 A.D.
The stage is black. We hear John's voice in the darkness. Music swells in. Lights and video fade in.
JOHN (V.O.):
Jesus traveled throughout all of Syria, and multitudes
of people came to see him from Galilee and Jerusalem, and Judea,
and even from beyond the Jordan. And seeing their numbers
he felt great compassion for them. For they were tired and sorrowful,
and they seemed to have the weight of the entire world on their shoulders,
so he went out among them and touched them,
and taught them, and healed them.
When the lights come up, Jesus is speaking at a special venue that one of his supporters owns - a picturesque hillside with spectacular acoustics. It's a beautiful day. And thousands have come to see him.
MEANT TO FLY — LYRICS
JESUS: (singing)
You say it’s so hard to find your way.
But you’re following the right star,
You’ve come so far,
And you’re not that far away.
You say it’s so hard to find your love.
But you’re standing on a ledge,
Your wings are spread,
Now you just need a little shove.
You’re ready to fly.
You’re ready to fly.
But you say that it’s so hard to find some peace.
That pain and strife are just part of this life
And the misery will never cease.
You say that it’s so hard to face your fears.
Yet though you might fall,
You’ll climb any wall,
If you believe Heaven’s there,
You will fly. You will fly.
Don’t you know you can fly.
But you say that it’s too hard
To change your life.
But your prayers and dreams
Are like eagle’s wings,
They’ll carry you across the sky.
And you will fly.
Just take that leap of faith
And don’t stop to question
How or why.
‘Cause once you see this world
From the eagle’s eyes
You will be shown
What you’ve always known,
That you were meant to fly.
You were meant to fly high.
You can fly. Don’t you know that you can fly
Yeah, you can fly!
Ohhh you can fly!
Please read the narration before playing the song. Then follow along with the lyrics and dialogue to see which characters are singing.
THE SCENE:
Jesus is sitting near a fountain by the temple with a small group of children. Their parents and other followers and disciples, including John (18 years old), his brother, James, and Judas, are also present.
JOHN (V.O.):
Jesus had just returned to the city from the Mount of Olives.
A sizeable crowd had already gathered and he was starting to teach them.
BLESSED — LYRICS
JESUS: (singing)
Blessed are the children. They see the world,
Through eyes of innocence and wonder. And the world is theirs.
They have no cares. They don't worry about what will be.
Yet their needs are met like endless miracles.
Leaving them free to teach the world to be like children.
And blessed is the woman who touches the world,
With hands that can reach into a wounded heart and give it Life.
Mother and wife. Angel of tenderness. Guardian of dreams.
She creates wings out of joy and silent tears.
Then watches her children fly away.
And it takes all the strength of a woman.
Please read the narration before playing the song. Then follow along with the lyrics and dialogue to see which characters are singing.
THE SCENE:
JERUSALEM, 33A.D.
A large crowd is awaiting Jesus’ arrival. Roman soldiers are positioned everywhere. It is Passover in the third and final year of Jesus’ tour. Food is plentiful; wine is flowing; people are dancing. The atmosphere is festive. Suddenly a man on top of a building shouts that Jesus has arrived. Horns blare as Jesus enters the gate. The crowd breaks out in a joyful and celebratory song.
THEIR JUST REWARD — LYRICS
CROWD: (singing)
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Soon we'll be free.
(pointing at the soldiers)
Soon they'll receive their just reward.
MAN 1: (singing)
I heard Jesus say, "Behold, I come with a sword!"
CROWD: (singing)
Caesar has us today, but soon he'll have us no more.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Soon we'll be free.
(again pointing at the soldiers)
Soon they'll receive their just reward.
YOUNG MAN: (singing)
Last night I heard mama say,
Jesus has promised this earth to the meek and poor.
CROWD: (singing)
Caesar has us today, but soon he'll have us no more.
MAN 2: (singing)
We've been waiting,
WOMAN 1: (singing)
We've been praying
CROWD: (singing)
For the true Messiah.
MAN 2: (singing)
And he's the one.
WOMAN 1: (singing)
For he has come...
CROWD: (singing)
With fire!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Soon we'll be free. Soon they'll receive their just reward.
Let the music play. Let's drink and dance
And let our spirits soar.
Caesar has us today, but soon he'll have us no more.
Caesar has us today, but soon he'll have us no more...
(As the crowd chants this mantra over and over, Jesus climbs the temple steps and turns to speak, but quickly finds they came not to hear him, but to blindly idolize him. And the louder he yells, the more frenzied they become.)
JESUS:
I have not come to lead armies.
I have not come to fight your earthly enemies.
I have not come to free you from the chains of Rome,
But from the slavery of Sin.
Listen to my words. They only can set you free.
Follow my path. For it leads to the gates of Heaven Itself.
Where death can never touch you. Where pain does not exist.
Where sorrow vanishes as you pass through those gates,
Never to be felt again.
(The crowd grows louder, practically drowning Jesus out.)
JESUS: (shouting)
God, make them listen!
(His voice becomes so overwhelming, the crowd comes to a hush.)
JESUS: (somber, singing)
Caesar has you today. And he'll have you forevermore.
(The crowd, still silent, looks at Jesus in bewilderment.)
Lights fade.
Please read the narration before playing the song. Then follow along with the lyrics and dialogue to see which characters are singing.
THE SCENE:
Jesus was gone. Tried and convicted for crimes he did not commit. But not long after he died, a wondrous thing happened. A number of his disciples were holed up in the small room where they had celebrated the Passover supper before he was executed. Afraid for their lives, they were hiding from the authorities like common criminals. But one of the more courageous disciples had snuck out for a time and had returned with incredible news. The others were relieved and encouraged by what she had reported. But one among them, Thomas, a die-hard skeptic and cynic, had great difficulty believing her fantastic story.
THOMAS:
So you believe Magdalene? That Jesus has risen from his own grave? Simply woke up and walked away. But let me ask you, why would he show himself to her first? Of all the disciples - her?
(to audience) Most of the others believe her. I feel sorry for them. But I guess I really can’t blame them. We’re all losing our minds. I don’t know how much longer we can stand it in here. We haven’t breathed fresh air for days. Mary says, we can’t chance leaving. It’s too dangerous. They might still be looking for us. Yeah, if they were ever looking for us in the first place. Magdalene assures us they are. She says someone questioned her about us this morning as she was leaving the tomb. What did he say, I asked her. Who was it? She didn’t know. One of Caiaphas’ men, she thought.
I miss him as much as any of them. I feel empty without him. But let’s face it. We’ll never see him again. Nobody rises from his own grave. Of course, nobody does any of the things he did. But even if he does show himself somehow, he can’t stay with us. He’s already lived his life once. He’s not going to live it again. The truth is, he’s gone forever.
(And then, from a shadow in the corner of the room, a man steps into the light. He has a distinct aura, a glow about him. It is Jesus. In full human form! And he has come to deliver a message.)
JESUS:
The truth, Thomas, is I have never left you. I’m with you now, in this room. In your heart. I’m everywhere, all around you. You are one of my disciples, one of my closest friends. Don’t deny my presence. Don’t shut me out of your life.
A CANDLE IN THE NIGHT — LYRICS
JESUS: (singing)
I feel what you feel,
And I know what you’re going through.
If it were up to me,
I’d be there instead of you.
But when you’re lost and alone in the dark,
And you’re just trying to make it to the morning light,
I’ll be there like a star
That shines through the night;
There like a flame burning
Forever bright.
I’ll be there
Like an answer to a prayer.
I’ll be your light.
Like a candle in the night.
You brought me your sick
And I took away their pain.
You learned how to love one another
And that’s the reason I came.
And though it’s time I depart,
Remember I’m in your heart,
And that everything is alright.
‘Cause I’ll be there like a star
That shines through the night;
There like a flame burning
Forever bright.
I’ll be there
like an answer to a prayer.
I’ll be your light.
Like a candle in the night.
Like a candle in the night.
Time will pass.
This won’t last.
You just gotta ride it out.
And I know that’s easy
For someone else to say.
But I’ve stood in your rain.
I’ve suffered your pain.
I’ve walked through darkness and doubt.
So now together we’re going to light up
A brand new day.
I feel what you feel
And I know what you’re going through.
And I know the pain is real,
But I’m right here beside you.
So when the battle’s raging in your heart,
You will never be alone in the fight.
‘Cause I’ll be there like a star
That shines through the night;
There like a flame burning
Forever bright.
I’ll be there
Like an answer to a prayer.
I’ll be your light.
Like a candle in the night.
Like a candle in the night.
I’ll be there.
I’ll be there.
Like a candle in the night.
Like a candle.
Like a candle.
Like a candle in the night.
I’ll be there
Like an answer to a prayer,
Like a candle.
Like a candle in the night.
Like a candle in the night.
(THE CURTAIN FALLS on a joyous scene full of singers and dancers, rousing music, stunning lighting and inspiring SFX.)