The Libretto (Sample)
PILGRIM©
A New Musical
Based on John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress Part I
Adapted for the stage by Trevor D. Best and Robert Hofmann
Libretto by Trevor D. Best
Words and Music by Robert Hofmann and Trevor D. Best
Additional words and music contributed by
Jason Kyle Saetveit, Rick Filer, David Hegg, Jeff Lippencott, Steve Camping,
Elorin Hofmann and John Bunyan
Consulting Director: Steve Lively
Piano/Vocal Arrangements by Grant Fonda
Version 24.0
ACT I
PROLOGUE
SCENE: It is August 30, the recent past and it is the celebration of the Lesser Festival for John Bunyan at St James Cathedral. An organ plays the prelude followed by choir singing:
HE WHO WOULD VALIANT BE (PRELUDE)
Words by John Bunyan
Music by Charles Douglas
Choir: Who would true valor see, let him come hither;
One here will constant be, come wind, come weather
There’s no discouragement, shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent, to be a pilgrim.
Whoso beset him round, with dismal stories
Do but themselves confound; his strength the more is.
No lion can him fright, he’ll with a giant fight,
He will have a right, to be a pilgrim.
MINISTER: Born at Elstow in Bedfordshire in 1628, John Bunyan was largely self-educated and used the Bible as his grammar. He read very few other books, and they were all piously Protestant in nature, yet he produced Pilgrim's Progress, probably the most original text of spiritual genius that century, telling the story of the man Christian on his journey through life to God. It was not written while he was a prisoner in Bedford Jail, as often stated, but during a confinement some years later. History tells us little of the man but what is clear from his writings is that the salvation of the soul was what mattered most to him. He died on this day in 1688. Let us pray: God of peace, who called your servant John Bunyan to be valiant for truth:
grant that as strangers and pilgrims we may at the last rejoice with all Christian people in your heavenly city; (His voice begins to fade.) through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (The scene shifts to the common area in Bedfordshire Jail. A man is seated at a table to the side. He appears to be writing. There is the sound of religious band playing a familiar tune in an adjacent room. The Sisters of Mercy are conducting a service with singing, devotions and refreshments; biscuits with jelly and fruit juice. One of the sisters enters with a small child and brings her to the man. He turns as they approach and seems to be overjoyed to see the little girl. They converse briefly and then the sister beckons the girl to leave. The service concludes as a group of prisoners return to the common room vigorously consuming the refreshments they have received. A Irish fiddle plays the refrain to “Valiant Be” and the man begins to sing: )
MAN:
Who would true valor see, let him come hither;
One here will constant be, come wind, come weather
There’s no discouragement, shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent, to be a pilgrim.
JOHN: (Noticing the other prisoners) Sorry blokes, I promise not bother you with song!
1st PRISONER: Quite alright! You’re back, eh! Mr. Bunyan?
JOHN: (sighs) YES!
2nd PRISONER: I told you. (to the 1stprisoner) For how long are you in this time?
JOHN: For life!
1st PRISONER: No! It can’t be.
JOHN: Well, until I agree not to preach; so that could be for life as I have pledged to preach the rest of my life! ( He laughs)
1st PRISONER: You could preach to us!
2nd PRISONER: Speak for yourself! That’s all we need is someone to keep reminding us of our sins and transgressions. He did enough of that the last time he was here. If he was so smart, why is he still here?
JOHN: (smiling broadly and chuckling) The Lord hath said, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God!
2nd PRISONER: Oh, rah! We shall die from his words! I’ve heard you preach for three hours without a glass of water. At least the Sisters give us something to eat!
1st PRISONER: Look, we’re here because we deserve to be here; he has done nothing wrong!
JOHN: Gentlemen, Gentlemen, You need not be wary anymore of my preaching; only that you (hesitatingly) allow me to tell you a story or two from time to time.
2nd PRISONER: A story?
JOHN: A short story.
2nd PRISONER: How short?
JOHN: Put it this way; not as long as one of my sermons. (laughing) I say, I’ll read a bit to you and if you like it I’ll continue. If you don’t like it, I’ll go about my business. (He picks up the stack of papers he has been working on and speaking dramatically) I wrote it under the similitude of a dream!
2nd PRISONER: Sounds a bit fantastic to me!
1st PRISONER: Come on Harry, what harm could it do. You’re not about to go out for supper.
2nd PRISONER: Well, all right, but I will not be put upon! I’m just a prisoner, same as you. Go ahead then . . . please!
JOHN: Thank you! Let us begin. (He rearranges the papers a bit and then begins to read.) There once was a man who lived with his wife and two children in the . . . uh, City of Destruction. (Lights fade as he recites slowly and deliberately. The scene shifts to a dingy house in the City of Destruction as the lights come back up. John begins to sing.
SCENE 1
SCENE: Takes place in a modest home in the City of Destruction; outside the home and on a path leading away from the city.
THE CITY OF DESTRUCTION©
Words and Music by
Trevor D. Best
JOHN:
1st VERSE: In the City of Destruction, lived a man; his family.
His wife was Gracious, he was Graceless; children, Sam and Emily.
Then one day while he was reading a book he’d gotten locally,
Something that was quite disturbing; piqued his curiosity.
CHORUS: Now this caused him lamentation for ‘twas so hard to believe.
Graceless:
They’re dear City of Destruction would transform into debris!
Fire from heaven was about to fall if they refused to flee,
To a place of common safety; the Celestial City
Verse 2: Now his family thought him crazy, thinking this could never be.
So, to bed, they thought that he should go to arrest his misery.
Through the night he tossed and turned and sighed, till he saw dawns early light.
FAMILY:
How d’you feel now that you’ve had some rest? Did you sleep well through the night?
GRACELESS:
CHORUS: Worse and worse!
Gracious:
to them was his reply, and he then began to sigh:
GRACELESS:
Come with me and seek redemption,
JOHN:
but they would not heed his cry!
GRACELESS:
I just want to save my family, but they will not come with me?
We are told in this old tattered book; from the wrath to come to flee.
JOHN:
3rd VERSE: So, he ran from there, inside his house, to the town square just outside. Shouting:
GRACELESS:
Lord, tell me what is it I should do? (Holding up the book) Don’t the rules in here apply?
JOHN:
Then the townspeople came out and ‘bout, to see what was the row.
They began to wonder ‘monst themselves, why did GRACELESS feel so low.
CHORUS: So they asked:
TOWNSPEOPLE:
Will you please tell us why?
JOHN: And this was his reply.
GRACELESS:
All you citizens of Destruction; you’re all doomed, you can’t deny!
It’s all here in this old tattered book, that condemned to die we’ll be,
If from the City of Destruction, we don’t soon commence to flee.
COUNTERPOINT:
TOWNSPEOPLE: GRACELESS:
Have you ever heard of anything All ye citizens of Destruction,
like this before? No, is our retort! We’re all doomed, why can’t you see!
Have you ever heard of anything It’s all here in this old Tattered book
quite so bizzare? GRACELESS, that condemned to die we’ll be
you’ve gone too far! If from the City of Destruction
Do you think that you could we don’t soon commence to flee.
get away with this charade (music stops as a child begins to cry} see what a mess you’ve made! (The townspeople begin to drift away, some mocking, some rebuking, some chattering, others consoling his wife and children. Music cont. under and holds to next verse)
GRACELESS: (speaking) To a place of common safety! Don’t you see! Don’t you . . .the Celestial:
(bellowing) THIS IS GOD’S WORD; HEAR IT, BELIEVE IT, AND LIVE! (Townspeople turn back, stunned that these words would come out of his mouth. A woman faints. Mothers cover the ears of their children. Others now rebuke him, then resume to exit. A man turns back)
MAN:
Don’t believe everything you read, GRACELESS. (He stands there foolishly and begins to weep.}
GRACELESS:
(singing) What a fool I’ve come to be! ( He heaves the book to the side as Evangelista approaches. EVANGELISTA picks up the book and walks toward Graceless.)
JOHN:
Verse 4: Then there came a man who heard his cry and he said sincerely,
MAN:
Tell me son, why are you crying; the cause of all your misery?
GRACELESS:
Sir, it’s just that in this book I read, that condemned to die I’ll be,
And after that there comes the judgment, so where is the hope for me?
And, dear sir this heavy burden is much more than I can bear.
It will lower me into the grave and that gives me despair!
So if you have anything to say, then say it, if you please.
Then, be gone, don’t give me sympathy. I need more than words, you see.
(The townspeople now begin to filter back into the square, curious to see and hear what this stranger is saying to Graceless. His wife and children are still huddled together at the side. Intermittingly they are all talking together but are focused on Graceless and Evangelista.)
MAN:
5th VERSE: I am Casiodoro de Seville and I’m here to heed your plea.
But the words I say are more than words, so listen carefully!
In the beginning, God said, Let there be; when He said it, it was so!
In the beginning was the word also, and the word was God we know.
CHORUS: God so loved the world, He gave his word, His Son on Calvary
So all those who would believe in Him, would live eternally,
From the burdens that we carried for so long we would be free;
At the cross, where He was crucified, crucified for you and me.
6th VERSE: (slow way down) He would suffer, bleed and then he’d die just like he always said.
He’d be laid to rest in Joseph’s tomb; no pillow for his head.
Then they rolled that mighty stone across the doorway, so we’ve read.
Then in three days he would conquer death, and would rise up from the dead!
GRACELESS:
He would rise up from the dead! (Repeat last line up an octave)
GRACELESS, EVANGELISTA AND JOHN:
CHORUS: This my song through endless ages, this my song of victory.
For he died upon a rugged cross and He died for you and me.
God so loved the world, He gave His Son to die on Calvary.
So all those who would believe in Him, from their burdens be set free.
TOWNSPEOPLE:
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE! (Bump)
(The townspeople, relieved that whatever Graceless’ issues were, they seem to be resolved, begin to return to their homes; some stop to greet Evangelista and Graceless, shaking their hands and patting Graceless on the back etc., some stopping to reassure Gracious and the children that everything will work out and then quietly slipping away. Graceless, glancing at his wife, smiles meekly and resumes talking to Evangelista.)
GRACELESS: Then, I must go and meet the One who will deliver me from this burden!
EVANGELISTA: Exactly! But that will only be the beginning of your journey. It’s all in your book there. (Graceless hesitates) Why do you hesitate, my son?
GRACELESS: But, what about my wife and family?
EVANGELISTA: This journey must be taken on your own accord.
GRACELESS: I’m not sure she will understand.
EVANGELISTA: Oh, she will understand, (a bit enigmatically)never the less, you still must take it. And, what is your name, young man?
GRACELESS: GRACELESS!
EVANGELISTA: Why then, GRACELESS, are you still standing here? (Laughing)
GRACELESS: I’m not certain where to go!
EVANGELISTA: You can be certain where you’re going! (Evangelista points beyond the plain.) Do you see the shining light in the distance?
GRACELESS: I think I do.
EVANGELISTA: That light is a gleaming cross of gold. Seek it and it will bring you salvation and relief from that unbearable burden that you carry! God bless you, my son! (He leaves)
JOHN: So, GRACELESS was about to begin his journey. Seeing him, his wife and children cried after him to not to go. Evangelista, walking over to them, greeted them cautiously and began explaining about GRACELESS’ decision to take this journey and that it would be best if they join him. They reacted tearfully, and GRACELESS, torn, turned and looked back: (His wife and children join him in a soliloquy.)
THE SWEET BY AND BY©
Words and Music by Trevor D. Best
GRACELESS:
VERSE 1: My dear wife and children I must leave you, but in my heart you’re always by my side.
I must travel, on this lonesome journey, I must go though it hurts deep inside.
CHORUS: Oh, my love please try to be understanding, why I go without your blessing,
To a place where God is calling, to a place I hope you’ll follow me, can’t you see!
Oh, oh, a place where there is no more sorrow, no more tears shed for tomorrow,
A place where we can all together be!
GRACIOUS:
VERSE 2: No, my love we choose not to go with you, to do as you we can not justify.
But when that day comes we will gladly join you. Then we’ll meet in the sweet by and by!
CHORUS: So, my love, please try to be understanding, we can’t do this sacrificing.
We must follow our convictions, and you must finish what you’ve just begun. Just begun!
Oh! Oh! I know to you we may seem selfish, but we’re not ready to be so pious.
So please just let us go on our own way.
CHILDREN:
VERSE 3: Papa, who’ll play Tip Cat in the morning; who’ll play All Hid till the eventide?
Who will walk with us in the green meadow; who’ll tell stories by the fireside?
GRACELESS:
CHORUS: Well, children, let me tell you ‘bout this journey. It’s not that I’ll be gone to glory!
I’ll be here just like I’ve always been here for your sorrow and joy, and your joy!
Oh! Oh! This journey that it seems I’m taking, is deep inside; my heart is breaking!
You’ll understand it better by and by!
CHILDREN:(Together repeat their own chorus’ in four or (3) parts.)
CHORUS: Well, papa said to us about his journey. It’s not that he’ll be gone to glory.
He’ll be here just like he always has been here for our sorrow and joy, and our joy!
Oh! Oh! This journey that he will be taking, is deep inside, his heart is breaking.
We’ll understand it better by and by!
(Blackout)
SCENE 2
SCENE: The road leading away from the city; Graceless meets Pliable, Obstinate and Worldly Wiseman.
JOHN: Graceless left his wife and family amidst a tearful departure and started his trek toward the Celestial City. Two neighbors, Obstinate and Pliable, who were returning to the City of Destruction met GRACELESS and inquired of him where he was going with that heavy load. GRACELESS seemed to know Pliable, but was not well acquainted with the other; Pliable’s, Uncle Obstinate!
PLIABLE: I say there, Graceless, where are you going with that heavy load? (Chuckling)
GRACELESS: (Continues walking and stays very focused) You dwell in the City of Destruction, don’t you, Pliable?
PLIABLE: Of course!
GRACELESS: (Stopping and turning) And dying there, you will sink into a place that burns with fire and brimstone. You best come along with me.
OBSTINATE: (To Pliable) What’s he talking about?
PLIABLE: Let me handle this. Graceless, what are you talking about? Do you know something we don’t.
GRACELESS: You know what I’m talking about, because we’ve talked about it before.
PLIABLE: What do you mean?
GRACELESS: I mean, we’ve got to get out of here. This city is doomed!
OBSTINATE: Are you balmy? Where did you get a notion like that?
GRACELESS: Here! You can read about it in my book!
OBSTINATE: Tosh on your book! Come, Pliable, let’s go? And you should come back with us too!
GRACELESS: No, because I have already made up my mind!
OBSTINATE: Come, then, Pliable, he is a fool and wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can render a reason. Let us go home without him.
PLIABLE: (hesitating) Wait, I’ve read the book; not all of it but I have read the part about the wrath to come. I never suspected that it was talking about our city, and If what the he says is true, then I best join him and not you, Uncle. So, GRACELESS . . . I never thought I’d see the day that you’d become so religious!
GRACELESS: Me neither, but these past few weeks I have become compelled to heed the words of this book!
PLIABLE: So, are you certain the words of your book are true?
GRACELESS: I am! Listen to what it says here: (He opens the book and shows him a passage, as Obstinate sits to the side and watches with disdain.)
BLESSED ARE THOSE©
Words and Music by
Robert Hofmann and Rick Filer
GRACELESS:
CHORUS: These are the words of the Holy Spirit; callin’ you, callin you!
Open your mind to the invitation; teachin’ you, teachin’ you!
VERSE 1: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are they that morn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall have mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
GRACELESS AND PLIABLE:
VERSE 2: Blessed are the meek and lowly, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall see God.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the persecuted, for great is their reward.
PLIABLE:
CHORUS: I’ve been lost in self-righteousness, pridefully, pridefully
Please forgive my unfaithfulness, prayerfully, prayerfully!
GRACELESS AND PLIABLE
BRIDGE: You are the Lord God of everything, King and Priest of all nations.
All the earth and all within it, Bow in humble adoration.
PLIABLE: But how can we share in that?"
GRACELESS: The Lord has recorded it in this book; that if we are willing to have it, He will bestow it on us freely and direct us to safety in the Celestial City!
OBSTINATE: Cursed are the weak-minded, for they’ll believe anything they read! You are a fool and you are a fool, too, if you believe what he’s saying. I will be no companion of such misled fantasies, (He turns to go back) Now are you coming with me or not? (Pliable hesitates)
PLIABLE: All right then, have it your way! Sorry GRACELESS, maybe some other time (Graceless looks at him disappointed.) I can’t just up and leave! (Obstinate and Pliable turn and go)
OBSTINATE: What am I supposed to tell your mother: “Oh, your son decided to take a little hike to the Celestial City”.
PLIABLE: I’m sorry, Uncle Obie; I guess I wasn’t really . . .
(Their voices trail as Graceless continues across the plain. Up ahead he notices a man approaching on horseback.)
MAN: Hello there! I say, where are you going with that burdened down load you carry?
GRACELESS: Burdened down load, indeed, as ever I think a poor creature had! And, where am I going; to the Cross of Gold across the plain. I've been told that is the place where I can get rid of this heavy load!
MAN: Who told you to go this way?
GRACELESS: A man who calls himself Casio de . . . uh
MAN: Sevillah? (Any time Wiseman says a name he ends it with the sound of “ah”.)
GRACELESS: Yes, you know him?
MAN: Know him! I know he is a trouble maker, a recalcitrant!
GRACELESS: He told me he was a messenger from the King!
MAN: The King’s messenger is he! He was run out of his country for seditious acts and spreading dissent amongst the people.
GRACELESS: I find that hard to believe! He seemed to understand exactly what I needed.
MAN: And you trust this . . . this Spaniard, this Evangelistah?
GRACELESS: I did, but now that I have spoken with you I have my doubts!
MAN: Hmm . . . allow me to introduce myself. My name is Wiseman, Worldly Wisemanah. (The horse whinnies.) Ah, yes and this is my trusted companion, Noble Steedah! I have studied at some of the worlds most prestigious universities, so I know a thing or two! Uh! So, then, may I give you some advice?
GRACELESS: Why yes! If it is good, certainly.
WISEMAN: First, it’s not a Cross of Gold. It’s just an old rugged cross! And believe me it does not hold the answer to your problem. There is no more a dangerous and troublesome way in the world than that which Evangelistah has directed you. Hear me; you will meet weariness, pain, hunger, peril, sword, lions, dragons, darkness, and your, in a word, demise.
GRACELESS: Really! But this burden on my back is more terrible to me. I don't care what kind of cross it is as long as I receive my salvation!
WISEMAN: Not to worry! Remedy is at hand. If you listen to me, instead of the dangers, I will warrant you a way where you will meet with safety, friendship, and content.
GRACELESS: Well then, show me this secret.
WISEMAN: It’s no secret, but in the next village of . . . uh, Imorality. . . uh, Imortality, rather, there is a gentleman whose name is Legalityah. He has the skill to help you rid yourself of your burden. His house is less than a mile away. If he is not at home his daughter, Civilityah can take care of you. (Graceless, eager to be rid of his burden, thinking his advice was sound.)
GRACELESS: Sir, which is the way to this honest man's house?
WISEMAN: Honest, did I say honest? For an honest fee, I suppose. So you must go past that mountain over there. When you reach the village, ask for Mr. Legalityah and they will direct you to his house. (They shake hands; Wiseman mounts Noble Steed, head held high and they go prancing off. As Graceless turns to go he hears a familiar voice and turns back.)
EVANGELISTA: (Passing Worldly Wiseman as he exits, they exchange sober glances as he turns back toward Graceless.) Good Graceless, what are you doing here,? (Graceless stood speechless before him) Aren’t you the man I spoke to in the City of Destruction?
GRACELESS: Yes, sir.
EVANGELISTA: How is it that you come to be here? This is not the way to the Cross of Gold!
GRACELESS: A gentleman whose name was Worldly Wiseman told me that there is no cross of gold; that it’s just an old rugged cross. He. . . he (stuttering) showed me a better way, a short cut and not so riddled with difficulties as the one on which you sent me. But when I came to this place and saw you, I stopped shamefully and now, I’m sure I should not continue and should retrace my steps.
EVANGELISTA: You must remember what God has declared, “the righteous will live by faith and if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” You must not reject the counsel of the Most High. You have withdrawn your foot from the way of peace.
WORLDLY WISEMAN©
Words and Music by Robert Hofmann
EVANGELISTA:
VERSE 1: Yes, all that glitters is not really gold. So the story’s oft’ been told.
The price he paid upon that rugged cross s’worth more than riches yet untold!
CHORUS: Stay away from Worldly Wiseman, he’ll lead you deeper into sin.
Don’t try to cross a bridge that you have burned. That’s the lesson we must all learn.
VERSE 2: Worldly Wiseman says that there’s no need; to take your cross and follow Him;
That there’s no need for pain or sacrifice; no need to answer for your sin.
REPEAT CHORUS
BRIDGE: Like a howling wind he’s coming after you, waiting to unfurl!
Greater is he that lives within you, than he that lives within the world!
GRACELESS: (Falling down) Woe is me, for I am undone!
EVANGELISTA: (Lifting him up) The Lord says, 'Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven.' So be not faithless, but believing. (Graceless stands and is revived a little)Worldly Wiseman, who savors only the doctrine of this world, did three terrible things. First, he turned you from the way. Secondly, he disparaged the Cross to you. Thirdly, he sent you on the way to certain death. Remember, and you must heed the call of the Cross if you truly want to be saved!
GRACELESS: Oh! I am seven fools for listening to the advice of Mr. Wiseman.
EVANGELISTA: Seventy times seven! (Chuckling)
GRACELESS: Yes, yes! Is it possible for me to go back in pursuit of the cross? Or am I abandoned and sent home in shame? Is my sin too great to be forgiven?"
EVANGELISTA: Your sin is sin, no matter how great or small, it is forgiven. But take heed that you do not turn aside from the way again, or you might perish. (Graceless, still sorrowful) Come, I will accompany you to the base of Mt. Calvary, but there you must ascend to the cross on your own!
GRACELESS: Alright!
(Lights fade)