EVITA - Original Concept Album - 1976 Lyrics By Tim Rice Music By Andrew Lloyd Webber –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 1 : A Cinema in Buenos Aires, 26 July 1952 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– (The soundtrack of a part of a 1952 movie [Spanish dialogue]) "Until this moment my lips have not dared to speak of my love for you." "Oh Carlos!" "And they shall do more than speak to you - my senses are flooded with desire." "Oh Carlos!" "Was that a boot on your father's gravel? If it's that bounder Rodolophe, my sword will not remain long unsheathed!" "Be careful, Carlos!" (This translation of the Spanish dialogue is about as accurate as the average sub-title translation is. The film grinds to a halt. The reason is soon clear – Eva Peron, the first lady of Argentina, wife of President Juan Peron, has died. There is an annoucement from the Secretary of the Press:) It is the sad duty of the Secretary of the Press to inform the people of Argentina that Eva Peron, spiritual leader of the nation, entered immortality at 20.25 hrs. today. (CHE and a few other moviegoers leave the cinema in silence.) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2 : Requiem for Evita / Oh What A Circus –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– (EVA's funeral – majestic, a combination of the magnificent excesses of Hollywood and the Vatican. Huge crowds, much pageantry, wailing and lamentation. CHE is the only non-participant. After some time CHE moves away from the crowds.) CHE O what a circus! O what a show Argentina has gone to town Over the death of an actress called Eva Peron We've all gone crazy Mourning all day and mourning all night Falling over ourselves to get all of the misery right O what an exit! That's how to go! When they're ringing your curtain down Demand to be buried like Eva Peron It's quite a sunset And good for the country in a roundabout way We've made the front page of all the world's papers today But who is this Santa Evita? Why all this howling hysterical sorrow? What kind of goddess Has lived among us? How will we ever Get by without her? She had her moments – she had some style The best show in town was the crowd Outside the Casa Rosada crying "Eva Peron" But that's all gone now As soon as the smoke from the funeral clears We're all going to see – and how! – she did nothing for years! CROWD Salve regina mater misericordiae Vita dulcedo et spes nostra Salve salve regina Ad te clamamus exules filii Eva Ad te suspiramus gementes et flentes O clemens O pia CHE You let down your people Evita You were supposed to have been immortal That's all they wanted Not much to ask for But in the end you Could not deliver Sing you fools! But you got it wrong Enjoy your prayers because you haven't got long Your queen is dead, your king is through She's not coming back to you Show business kept us all alive Since 17 October 1945 But the star has gone, the glamour's worn thin That's a pretty bad state for a state to be in Instead of government we had a stage Instead of ideas a prima donna's rage Instead of help we were given a crowd She didn't say much but she said it loud Sing you fools! But you got it wrong Enjoy your prayers because you haven't got long Your queen is dead, your king is through She's not coming back to you CROWD Salve regina mater misericordiae Vita dulcedo et spes nostra Salve salve regina Peron Ad te clamamus exules filii Eva Ad te suspiramus gementes et flentes O clemens O pia THE VOICE OF EVA Don't cry for me Argentina For I am ordinary, unimportant And undeserving Of such attention Unless we all are – I think we all are Ride on my train O my people And when it's your turn to die you'll remember They fired those cannons Sang lamentations Not just for Eva, For Argentina Not just for Eva, For everybody So share my glory, So share my coffin So share my glory, So share my coffin CHE It's our funeral too –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 3 : On This Night of a Thousand Stars / Eva and Magaldi / Eva Beware of the City –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– (A nightclub in Junin, EVA's home town. It is 1934 and EVA DUARTE is fifteen. The cabaret is nearly over. MAGALDI sings the final song of his performance with great gusto.) MAGALDI On this night of a thousand stars Let me take you to heaven's door Where the music of love's guitars Plays for evermore! In the glow of those twinkling lights We shall love through eternity On this night in a million nights Fly away with me! I never dreamed that a kiss could be as sweet as this but now I know that it can I used to wander alone without a love of my own I was a desperate man But all my grief disappeared and all the sorrow I'd feared wasn't there anymore On that magical day when you first came my way – mi amor! On this night On this night On this night of a thousand stars Let me take you to heaven's door Where the music of love's guitars Plays for evermore! (Applause, MAGALDI joins EVA and her friends at their table. CHE is loitering nearby at the bar.) EVA It must be a dream Augustin Magaldi The most famous man to visit Junin ... MAGALDI The audience seem Extremely heavy going – CHE Listen chum, face the fact They don't like your act MAGALDI But this is the sticks! If this were Buenos Aires I have that town at my feet! I dare not even meet Members of the public! They'd tear me apart – CHE I understand their feelings EVA I wanna be a part of BA Buenos Aires – Big Apple! (+FRIENDS) I wanna be a part of BA Buenos Aires – Big Apple! CHE Just listen to that! They're onto you Magaldi! I'd get out while you can EVA It's happened at last I'm starting to get started I'm moving out with my man MAGALDI Now Eva don't get carried away EVA Monotony past Suburbia departed Who could ever be fond of the back of the beyond? MAGALDI Don't hear words that I didn't say FRIENDS What's that? You'd desert the girl you love? MAGALDI The girl I love? Who? FRIENDS She really brightened up your out of town engagement She gave you all she had – she wasn't in your contract You must be quite relieved that no one's told the papers – So far EVA I wanna be a part of BA Buenos Aires – Big Apple! Would I have done what I did If I hadn't thought – If I hadn't known We would stay together? CHE Seems to me there's no point in resisting She's made up her mind, you've no choice Why don't you be the man who discovered her? You'll never be remembered for your voice MAGALDI The city can be paradise for those who have the cash, The class and the connections – what you need to make a splash. The likes of you get swept up in the morning with the trash If you were rich or middle class – EVA Screw the middle classes! I will never accept them And they will never deny me anything again! My father's other family were middle class And we were kept out of sight, hidden from view, at his funeral! If these are the people of Buenos Aires I welcome the chance to shine in their city And to trample their rotten values into the ground! CHE Do all your one night stands give you this trouble? MAGALDI Eva, beware of the city It's hungry and cold, can't be controlled – it is mad Those who are fools are swallowed up whole And those who are not become What they should not become: Changed – in short they go bad EVA Bad is good for me I'm bored, so clean and so ignored I've only been predictable – respectable! Birds fly out of here so why Oh why oh why the hell can't I? I only want variety of society! I wanna be a part of BA Buenos Aires – Big Apple! (+FRIENDS) I wanna be a part of BA Buenos Aires – Big Apple! MAGALDI Five years from now I shall come back And finally say, you have your way, come to town But you'll look at me with a foreigner's eyes The magical city a Younger girl's city, a Fantasy long since put down EVA All you've done to me – was that a young girl's fantasy? I played your city games alright – didn't I? I already know what cooks – how the dirty city feels and looks I tasted it last night, didn't I? I wanna be a part of BA Buenos Aires – Big Apple! (+FRIENDS) I wanna be a part of BA Buenos Aires – Big Apple! MAGALDI Eva beware your ambition It's hungry and cold – can't be controlled, will run wild This in a man is a danger enough But you are a woman, not Even a woman, not Very much more than a child and whatever you say I'll not steal you away! –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 4 : Buenos Aires –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– (EVA and MAGALDI arrive in Buenos Aires) EVA What's new? Buenos Aires I'm new – I wanna say I'm just a little stuck on you You'll be on me too! I get out here Buenos Aires Stand back – you ought to know what'cha gonna get in me Just a little touch of star quality! Fill me up with your heat with your noise with your dirt overdo me Let me dance to your beat make it loud let it hurt run it through me Don't hold back you are certain to impress Tell the driver this is where I'm staying Hello Buenos Aires Get this – just look at me, dressed up somewhere to go We'll put on a show! Take me in at your flood give me speed give me lights set me humming Shoot me up with your blood wine me up with your nights watch me coming All I want is a whole lot of excess Tell the singer this is where I'm playing Stand back Buenos Aires Because you ought to know what'cha gonna get in me Just a little touch of star quality! And if ever I go too far It's because of the things you are Beautiful town – I love you And if I need a moment's rest Give your lover the very best Real eiderdown – and silence EVA You're a tramp you're a treat you will shine to the death you are shoddy But you're flesh you are meat you shall have every breath in my body Put me down for a lifetime of success Give me credit – I'll find ways of paying Rio de la Plata! Florida! Corrientes! Neuve de Julio! All I want to know! Stand back Buenos Aires! Because you oughta know what'cha gonna get in me Just a little touch of Just a little touch of Just a little touch of star quality! –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5 : Goodnight and Thank You –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CHE (to MAGALDI who has been a mere spectator during the Buenos Aires song) Goodnight and thank you Magaldi You've completed your task what more could we ask of you now Please sign the book on your way out the door And that will be all If we need you we'll call But I don't think that's likely somehow EVA Oh but it's sad when a love affair dies But we have pretended enough It's best that we part, stop fooling ourselves CHE Which means get stuffed PHOTOGRAPHERS Having arrived it matters to be Photographed, noticed continually (EVA is besieged by PHOTOGRAPHERS under the guidance of a PR MAN who is obviously personally involved with EVA) CHE (to PR MAN) Goodnight and thank you whoever She's in every magazine, she wouldn't have been on her own We don't like to rush but your case has been packed If we've missed anything you could give us a ring But we don't always answer the phone EVA Oh but it's sad when a love affair dies But when we were hot we were hot I know you'll look back on the good times we've shared CHE But Eva will not CHE and EVA There is no one, no one at all Never has been and never will be a lover Male or female Who hasn't an eye on In fact they rely on Tricks they can try on their partner They're hoping their lover will help them or keep them Support them, promote them Don't blame them You're the same BROADCASTERS Now you are recognized, visually known You need to move to the microphone (EVA is besieged by the BROADCASTERS under the guidance of one RADIO MAN who is obviously personally involved with EVA) CHE (to RADIO MAN) Goodnight and thank you whoever We are grateful you found her a spot on the sound radio We'll think of you every time she's on the air We'd love you to stay But you'd be in the way So put on your trousers and go EVA Oh but it's sad when a love affair dies The decline into silence and doubt Our passion was just too intense to survive CHE For God's sake get out! PHOTOGRAPHERS & BROADCASTERS Fame on the wireless as far as it goes Is all very well but every girl knows She needs a man she can monopolize With fingers in dozens of different pies ... (Colonel PERON appears. He is with ihs extremely young MISTRESS) REJECTED LOVERS Oh but it's sad when a love affair dies (EVA makes a move towards PERON, but he and his girl are gone before she can attract his attention) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 6 : The Lady's Got Potential –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CHE The lady's got potential, she ought to go far She always knows exactly who her best friends are The greatest social climber since Cinderella But Eva's not the only one who's getting the breaks I'm a research chemist who's got what it takes And my insecticide's gonna be a best-seller (CHE brandishes a large bicycle pump type insecticide sprayer, and is joined by a shrill and enthusiastic trio of girls for his fly-killing choruses) Just one blast and the insects fall like flies! Kapow! Die! They don't have a chance In the fly-killing world It's a major advance In my world It'll mean finance I'm shaping up successful capitalist-wise But getting back to Eva she just saw those guys As steps on the ladder to the ultimate prize And he goes by the name of Colonel Peron He began his career in the army overseas Teaching all the other soldiers all he knew about skis When others took a tumble he would always stay on Sure Peron could ski but who needs a snowman? He said: PERON Great men Don't grown on trees I'm one I ain't gonna freeze Dictators Don't grow on skis CHE Peron would be no number two to no man He'd married in the meantime but the poor girl died Imagine if she hadn't we'd have been denied The heart-warming tear-jerking rise to fame of Eva Now my insecticide contains no dangerous drugs It can't harm humans but it's curtains for bugs If you've got six legs I ain't doing you no favour Just one blast and the insects fall like flies! Kapow! Die! They don't have a chance In the fly-killing world It's a major advance In my world It'll mean finance I'm shaping up successful capitalist-wise Kapow! Die! They don't have a chance In the fly-killing world It's a major advance In my world It'll mean finance I'm shaping up successful capitalist-wise Oh yes – Peron he joined a faction called the G.O.U. PERON and OFFICERS G – Government O – Order U – Unity CHE And they were the gang behind a military coup So Peron was a heartbeat away from control of the nation They thought that Hitler had the war as good as won They were slightly to the right of Attila the Hun And Eva set her sights on Peron – and his situation And Eva set her sights on Peron – and his situation PERON and OFFICERS The G.O.U. is a three-pronged operation Government – unopposed and allied With Order – ruthlessly applied And Unity – those not on our side Are subject to the process of elimination –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 7. Charity Concert / I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– (A concert held in Buenos Aires in 1944 in aid of the victims of an earthquake in the Argentine town of San Juan. EVA, by now a successful actress, and PERON, by now a successful politician, are both present. EVA's old friend MAGALDI is once again finishing his act.) MAGALDI On this night On this night On this night of a thousand stars Let me take you to heaven's door Where the music of love's guitars Plays for evermore! (Good applause. Peron leaps onto the stage) PERON Tonight I'm proud to be the people's spokesman! You've given help to those who've lost their homes, But more than that, conclusively shown The people should run their affairs on their own! Make sure your leaders understand the people! (The crowd begin to chant "Peron, Peron." PERON leaves the stage with the sound of his own name ringing in his ears) EVA Colonel Peron? PERON Eva Duarte? EVA & PERON I've heard so much about you! EVA PERON I'm amazed! I'm amazed! For I'm only an actress For I'm only a soldier Nothing to shout about One of the thousands Simply a girl on the boards Defending the country he loves But when you act The things you do affect us all PERON But when you act, you take us away from the squalor of the real world Are you here on your own? EVA Yes. Oh yes PERON So am I What a fortunate coincidence Maybe you're my reward for my efforts here tonight EVA It seems crazy but you must believe There's nothing calculated, nothing planned Please forgive me if I seem naive I would never want to force your hand But please understand I'd be good for you I don't always rush in like this Twenty seconds after saying hello Telling strangers I'm too good to miss If I'm wrong I hope you'll tell me so But you really should know I'd be good for you I'd be surprisingly good for you I won't go on if I'm boring you But do you understand my point of view Do you like what you hear, what you see, and would you be Good for me too? I'm not talking of a hurried night A frantic tumble then a shy goodbye Creeping home before it gets too light That's not the reason that I caught your eye Which has to imply I'd be good for you I'd be surprisingly good for you PERON Please go on – you enthrall me! I can understand you perfectly And I like what I hear, what I see, and knowing me I would be good for you too EVA I'm not talking of a hurried night A frantic tumble then a shy goodbye Creeping home before it gets too light That's not the reason that I caught your eye Which has to imply I'd be good for you I'd be surprisingly good for you EVA & PERON (but neither seems aware that the other is singing) There is no one, no one at all Never has been and never will be a lover, male or female Who hasn't an eye on In fact they rely on Tricks they can try on their partner They're hoping their lover will help them or keep them Support them, promote them Don't blame them, you're the same (EVA and PERON leave together) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 8 : Another Suitcase in Another Hall –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– (PERON's flat. EVA bursts in to throw PERON's 16-year-old MISTRESS out.) EVA (almost affecionately) Hello and goodbye! I've just unemployed you You can go back to school You had a good run I'm sure he enjoyed you Don't act sad or surprised, Let's be friends, civilized Come on little one! Don't sit there like a dummy! The day you knew would arrive Is here – you'll survive So move, funny face! I like your conversation – you've a catchy turn of phrase You're obviously going through some adolescent phase Maybe you've got something more than just a pretty face Maybe not – (EVA has by now bustled the MISTRESS out) (Outside in the hall:) MISTRESS I don't expect my love affairs to last for long Never fool myself that my dreams will come true Being used to trouble I anticipate it But all the same I hate it – wouldn't you? So what happens now? CHE + CHORUS Another suitcase in another hall MISTRESS So what happens now? CHE & CHORUS Take your picture off another wall MISTRESS Where am I going to? CHE & CHORUS You'll get by you always have before MISTRESS Where am I going to? Time and time again I've said that I don't care That I'm immune to gloom that I'm hard through and through But every time it matters all my words desert me So anyone can hurt me – and they do So what happens now? CHE & CHORUS Another suitcase in another hall MISTRESS So what happens now? CHE + CHORUS Take your picture off another wall MISTRESS Where am I going to? CHE & CHORUS You'll get by you always have before MISTRESS Where am I going go? Call in three months time and I'll be fine I know Well maybe not that fine, but I'll survive anyhow I won't recall the names and places of this sad occasion But that's no consolation here and now So what happens now? CHE & CHORUS Another suitcase in another hall MISTRESS So what happens now? CHE & CHORUS Take your picture off another wall MISTRESS Where am I going to? CHE & CHORUS You'll get by you always have before MISTRESS Where am I going to? CHE & CHORUS Don't ask anymore –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 9 : Dangerous Jade –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– (Two factions of Argentine society that were never to accept EVA were the military and the aristocracy.) ARMY The man is a fool – breaking every taboo Installing the girl in the Army H.Q. And she's an actress! The last straw Her only good parts are between her thighs She should stare at the ceiling not reach for the skies Or she could be his last whore The evidence suggests She has other interests If it's her who's using him He's exceptionally dim Bitch! Dangerous Jade! ARISTOCRATS We have allowed ourselves to slip We have completely lost our grip We have declined to an all-time low Tarts have become the set to know ARMY It's no crime for officers to do as they please As long as they're discreet and keep free from disease We ignore, we disregard But once they allow a bit on the side To move to the centre where she's not qualified We should all be on our guard She should get into her head She should not get out of bed She should know that she's not paid To be loud but to be laid Slut! Dangerous Jade! CHE (in the guise of a reporter) This has really been your year Miss Duarte Tell us where you go from here Miss Duarte Which are the roles that you yearn to play Whom did you sleep – dine – with yesterday? EVA (the glamorous movie star, protected by two HEAVIES) Acting is limiting, the lines not mine That's no help to the Argentine CHE Can we assume then that you'll quit? Is this because of your involvement with Colonel Peron? HEAVIES (pushing CHE aside and EVA out) Goodnight and thank you ARMY She won't be kept happy by her nights on the tiles She says it's his body but she's after his files So get back onto the street! She should get into her head She should not get out of bed She should know that she's not paid To be loud but to be laid The evidence suggests She has other interests If it's her who's using him He's exceptionally dim CHE (producing his fly-spray again) To see an underdog succeed Is the encouragement I need Opportunity is back! If she can make it by her efforts in the sack Then a man who offers more – Me! Will have the world beat a pathway to his door ARISTOCRATS Things have reached a pretty pass When someone pretty lower class Graceless and vulgar, uninspired Can be accepted and admired –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 10 : A New Argentina –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– (1945. No secure leader has emerged from the group of officers who seized power in 1943. PERON has the support of the workers and because of this the strongest movement within the military heirarchy is an anti-PERON feeling rather than one pro-anybody else.) PERON Dice are rolling, the knives are out I see every bad sign in the book And as far as the can – overweight to a man! They have that lean and hungry look EVA It doesn't matter what those morons say Our nation's leaders are a feeble crew There's only twenty of them anyway What is twenty next to millions who Are looking to you? All you have to do is sit and wait Keeping out of everybody's way We'll – You'll be handed power on a plate When the ones who matter have their say And with chaos installed You can reluctantly agree to be called PERON There again we could be foolish Not to quit while we're ahead For distance lends enchantment And that is why All exiles are distinguished More important, they're not dead I could find job satisfaction in Paraguay WORKERS' VOICES Peron! Peron! EVA This is crazy defeatist talk Why commit political suicide? There's no risk, there's no call for any action at all When you have unions on your side DOLAN GETTA (A union leader) A new Argentina! The chains of the masses untied! A new Argentina! The voice of the people Cannot be denied! EVA There is only one man who can lead any workers' regime He lives for your problems, he shares your ideals and your dream He supports you for he loves you Understands you, is one of you If not, how could he love me? GETTA + MOB A new Argentina! The old one has gone sadly wrong A new Argentina! The voice of the people Rings out loud and long! EVA Now I am a worker I've suffered the way that you do I've been unemployed and I've starved and I hated it too But I found my salvation In Peron – may the nation Let him save them as he saved me GETTA + MOB A new Argentina! CHE They'll all go along for the ride The same old clichés But let them have their freedom – The free buy insecticide! GETTA'S SIDEKICK Nationalization of the industries That the foreigners control Participation in the profits that we make Shorter hours, higher wages Votes for women, larger dole More public spending, a bigger slice of every cake PERON It's annoying that we have to Fight elections for our cause The inconvenience – having to get a majority If normal methods of persuasion Fail to win us applause There are other ways of establishing authority SECRET POLICE We have ways of making you vote for us, or at least of making you abstain EVA Peron has resigned from the army and this we avow The descamisados are those he is marching with now! He supports you for he loves you Understands you – is one of you If not – how could he love me? GETTA + MOB + EVA + PERON + SECRET POLICE A new Argentina! The chains of the masses untied! A new Argentina! The voice of the people Cannot be And will not be And must not be Denied! PERON There again Icould be foolish Not to quit while I'm ahead I can see me many miles away Inactive Sipping cocktails on a terrace Taking breakfast in bed Sleeping easy, doing crosswords It's attractive EVA Don't think I don't think like you, I often get those nightmares too They always take some swallowing Sometimes it's very difficult to keep momentum if it's you that you are following Don't close doors Keep an escape clause Because we might lose The Big Apple But – Would I have done what I did If I hadn't thought If I hadn't known We would take the country? –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 11 : On The Balcony of the Casa Rosada / Don't Cry For Me Argentina –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– (PERON has just won a sweeping victory in the 1946 Presidential Election. This is the first public appearance by PERON and EVA since PERON's triumph. Action takes place both inside and on the balcony of the Cada Rosada [the Pink Palace].) ANNOUNCER People of Argentina! Your newly elected president – Juan Peron! CROWD Peron! Peron! PERON (appears on the balcony) Argentinos! Argentinos! We are all leaders now! Fighting against our common enemies Poverty Social Injustice Foreign domination of our industries Reaching for our common goals Our independence Our dignity Our pride Let the world know that our great nation is re-awakening And that its heart Beats in the humble bodies Of Juan Peron – and his wife, The First Lady of Argentina, Eva Duarte de Peron! CROWD Peron! Peron! CHE (in crowd) As a mere observer of this tasteless phenomenon One has to admire the stage management (HEAVIES move in on CHE) There again perhaps I'm more than a mere observer Listen to my enthusiasm gentleman! Peron! Peron! (The CROWD begin to call for EVA - "Evita, Evita") EVA (appears on the balcony) It won't be easy, you'll think it strange When I try to explain how I feel That I still need your love after all that I've done You won't believe me All you will see is a girl you once knew Although she's dressed up to the nines At sixes and sevens with you I had to let it happen; I had to change Couldn't stay all my life down at heel Looking out of the window, staying out of the sun So I chose freedom Running around trying everything new But nothing impressed me at all I never expected it to Don't cry for me Argentina The truth is I never left you All through my wild days My mad existence I kept my promise Don't keep your distance And as for fortune, and as for fame I never invited them in Though it seemed to the world they were all I desired They are illusions They're not the solutions they promised to be The answer was here all the time I love you and hope you love me Don't cry for me Argentina – (EVA breaks down; the CROWD take up her tune) EVA Don't cry for me Argentina The truth is I never left you All through my wild days My mad existence I kept my promise Don't keep your distance Have I said too much? There's nothing more I can think of to say to you But all you have to do is look at me to know that every word is true (Inside the balcony) Just listen to that! The voice of Argentina! We are adored! We are loved! OFFICER Statesmanship is more than entertaining peasants EVA We shall see, little man CROWD Evita Peron! La Santa Peronista! (EVA goes back onto the balcony) EVA I am only a simple woman who lives to serve Peron in his noble crusade to rescue his people! I was once as you are now! I have taken these riches from the oligarchs only for you – for all of you! One day you will inherit these treasures! Descamisados! When they fire those cannons, when the crowds sing of glory, it is not just for Peron, but for all of us! All of us! (EVA goes back inside) ARISTOCRATS Things have reached a pretty pass When someone pretty lower class Can be respected and admired – EVA But your despicable class is dead! Look who they are calling for now! –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 12 : High Flying, Adored –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CHE High flying, adored, so young, the instant queen, a Rich beautiful thing of all the talents, a cross between a Fantasy of the bedroom and a saint And you were just a backstreet girl Hustling and fighting Scratching and biting High flying, adored, did you believe in your wildest moments All this would be yours, that you'd become the lady of them all? Were there stars in your eyes when you crawled in at night From the bars, from the sidewalks From the gutter theatrical? Don't look down, it's a long long way to fall High flying, adored, what happens now? where do you go from here? For someone on top of the world, the view's not exactly clear A shame you did it all at twenty-six There are no mysteries now Nothing can thrill you No one fulfill you High flying, adored, I hope you come to terms with boredom So famous, so easily, so soon, is not the wisest thing to be You won't care if they love you, it's been done before You'll despair if they hate you You'll be drained of all energy All the young who've made it would agree EVA High flying, adored – I've been called names but they're the strangest My story's quite usual – local girl makes good, weds famous man I was slap in the right place at the perfect time Filled a gap – I was lucky But one thing I'll say for me No one else can fill it like I can –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 13 : Rainbow High –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EVA I don't really think I need the reasons why I won't succeed – I have done! Let's get this show on the road Let's make it obvious Peron is off and rolling HAIRDRESSERS, BEAUTY CONSULTANTS, FASHION DESIGNERS Eyes! Hair! Mouth! Figure! Dress! Voice! Style! Movement! Hands! Magic! Rings! Glamour! Face! Diamonds! Excitement! Image! EVA I came from the people They need to adore me So Christian Dior me From my head to my toes I need to be dazzling I want to be rainbow high! They must have excitement And so must I HAIRDRESSERS, etc. Eyes! Hair! Mouth! Figure! Dress! Voice! Style! Movement! EVA I'm their product It's vital you sell me So Machiavell-me Make an Argentine Rose! I need to be thrilling And I shall be rainbow high! They need their escape And so do I HAIRDRESSERS, etc. Eyes! Hair! Mouth! Figure! Dress! Voice! Style! Movement! Hands! Magic! Rings! Glamour! Face! Diamonds! Excitement! Image! EVA All my descamisados expect me to outshine the enemy – the aristocracy I won't disappoint them I'm their saviour! That's what they call me So Lauren Bacall me Anything goes To make me fantastic I have to be Rainbow High In magical colours You're not decorating a girl for a night on the town! And I'm not a second-rate queen getting kicks with a crown! Next stop will be Europe! The Rainbow's gonna tour Dressed up, somewhere to go – we'll put on a show! Look out mighty Europe! Because – you oughta know what'cha gonna get in me Just a little touch of Just a little touch of Argentina's brand of Star quality! –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 14: Rainbow Tour –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– PERON People of Europe! I send you the Rainbow of Argentina! OFFICER No. 1 Spain has fallen to the charms of Evita She can do what she likes it doesn't matter much She's the new world Madonna with the golden touch She filled a bullring – forty-five thousand seater But if you're prettier than General Franco That's not hard OFFICER Nos. 1 & 2 Franco's reign in Spain should see out the forties So you've just acquired an ally who Looks as secure in his job as you OFFICER No. 2 More important, current political thought is Your wife's a phenomenal asset Your trump card ALL (including PERON & CHE) Let's hear it for the Rainbow Tour It's been an incredible success We weren't quite sure, we had a few doubts OFFICER No. 2 Would Evita win through? ALL But the answer is yes! EVA There you are I told you so Makes no difference where we go The whole world over – just the same You should have heard them call our name And who would underestimate the actress now? PERON I'm not underestimating you – just do the same thing in Italy please OFFICER No. 2 I don't like to spoil a wonderful story But the news from Rome is quite as good She hasn't gone down like we thought she would OFFICERS Nos. 1 & 2 Italy's unconvinced by Argentine glory OFFICER No. 2 They equate Peron with Mussolini Can't think why EVA Did you hear that? They called me a whore! They actually called me a whore! EVA'S ITALIAN ESCORT, an EX-ADMIRAL But Signora Peron It's an easy mistake – I've had that trouble too I'm still called an admiral Yet I gave up the sea long ago OFFICER No. 1 Things aren't all that bad she met the Pope She got a Papal decoration and a kindly word OFFICERS Nos. 1 & 2 So even if the crowds gave our lady the bird The Argentine-Italy axis does have some hope OFFICER No. 3 She still made a fabulous impact Caught the eye ALL (including PERON and CHE) Let's hear it for the Rainbow Tour It's been an incredible success We weren't quite sure, we had a few doubts OFFICER No. 1 Would Evita win through? ALL But the answer is – CHE A qualified – ALL Yes! OFFICER No. 4 Eva started well, no question, in France Shining like the sun through the post-war haze A beautiful reminder of the carefree days She nearly captured the French, she sure had the chance But she suddenly seemed to lose interest She looked tired (A buzz of interest to this information - "tired?") CHE Face the facts, the Rainbow's starting to fade I don't think she'll make it to England now PERON It wasn't on the schedule anyhow CHE You'd better get out the flags and fix a parade Some kind of coming home triumph is required ALL (including PERON but not CHE. Sung bravely but with less conviction as before) Let's hear it for the Rainbow Tour It's been an incredible success We weren't quite sure, we had a few doubts OFFICER No. 5 Would Evita win through? ALL And the answer is – Yes and no and yes and no and yes and no... Let's hear it for the Rainbow Tour It's been... (but this time the chorus never gets going properly, and eventually fades out. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 15 : The Actress Hasn't Learned (The Lines You'd to Hear) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ARISTOCRACY Thus all fairy stories end Only an actress would pretend Affairs of state are her latest play Eight shows a week – two matinées My how the worm begins to turn When will the chorus girl ever learn? My how the worm begins to turn When will the chorus girl being learn? EVA The chorus girl hasn't learned the lines you'd like to hear She won't go scrambling over the backs of the poor to be accepted By making donations – just large enough – to the correct charity She won't be president of your wonderful societies of philanthropy Even if you asked her to be As you should have asked her to be The actress hasn't learned the lines you'd like to hear She won't join your clubs She won't dance in your halls She won't help the hungry once a month at your tombolas She'll simply take control as You disappear CHE Forgive my intrusion but here in this neat little can I have a product to change your conception of man A brand new insecticide, a remarkable chemical feat Instantly rendering other insecticides obsolete EVA Licensing slaughter of insects is hardly my mission EVA's STAFF Goodnight and thank you whoever We've no time for you, but one thing we do Emphasize It's an ill wind that blows nobody good The news may b e bad For one Argentine lad But it's good news for Argentine flies (Che is ingnominously bundled out by EVA's Staff) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 16 : And the Money Kept Rolling In (and Out) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– THE MANAGER OF THE FOUNDATION EVA PERON (+ Workers on choruses) And the money kept rolling in from every side Eva's pretty hands reached out and they reached wide Now you may feel it should have been a voluntary cause But that's not the point my friends When the money keeps rolling in you don't ask how Think of all the people gonna see some good times now Eva's called the hungry to her – open up the doors! Never been a fund like the Foundation Eva Peron! Rolling rolling rolling Rolling on in And the money kept rolling out in all directions To the poor to the weak, to the destitute of all complexions Now cynics claim a little of the cash has gone astray But that's not the point my friends When the money keeps rolling out you don't keep books You can tell you've done well by the happy grateful looks Accountants only slow things down, figures get in the way Never been a lady loved as much as Eva Peron! Rolling rolling rolling Rolling on out When the money keeps rolling out you don't keep books You can tell you've done well by the happy grateful looks Accountants only slow things down, figures get in the way Never been a lady loved as much as Eva Peron! Rolling rolling rolling –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 17: Santa Evita –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CHILDREN Please, gentle Eva Will you bless a little child? For I love you Tell Heaven I'm doing my best I'm praying for you Even though you are already blessed Please mother Eva Will you look upon me as your own? Make me special Be my angel Be my everything wonderful perfect and true And I'll try to be exactly like you Please holy Eva Will you feed a hungry child? For I love you Tell Heaven I'm doing my best ... CHE Get them while they're young Evita, get them while they're young! CHILDREN I'm praying for you Even though you are already blessed WORKERS Santa Santa Evita Madre de todos los ninos De los tiranizados De los descamisados De los trabajadores De la Argentina (This chorus is repeated and fades gradually away) CHE Why try to govern a country when you can become a saint? –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 18 : Waltz for Eva and Che –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CHE Tell me before I waltz out of your life Before turning my back on the past Forgive my impertinent behaviour But how long do you think this pantomime can last? Tell me before I ride off in the sunset There's one thing I never got clear How can you claim you're our saviour When those who oppose you Are stepped on or cut up or simply disappear? EVA Tell me before you get onto your bus Before joining the forgotten brigade How can one person like me, say, Alter the time-honored way the game is played? Tell me before you get onto your high horse Just what you expect me to do I don't care what the bourgeoisie say I'm not in business for them but to give all my descamisados A magical moment or two There is evil Ever around,fundamental System of government quite incidental So why go bananas Chasing Nirvanas And failing? Better to do What you can for a few Than to lie – much Plainer sailing CHE Tell me before I seek worthier pastures And thereby restore self-esteem How can you be so short-sighted To look never further than this week or next week To have no impossible dream? EVA Allow me before you slink off to the sidelines To mark your adieu with three cheers And to ask you just who'd be delighted To know that I'll tackle The world's greatest problems Say war to pollution No hope of solution Even if I live for one hundred years? There is evil Ever around – fundamental System of government quite incidental So go if you're able To somewhere unstable And stay there Whip up your hate In some tottering state But not here dear Is that clear, dear? Oh what I'd give for a hundred years! But the physical interferes Every day more – oh my Creator! What is the good of the strongest heart In a body that's falling apart? A serious flaw I hope You know that ... CHE I always thought my country right or wrong I used to say here's where I belong But that's a joke I might as well have been As loyal to El Salvador, Afghanistan, the South of France, Japan, Hong Kong! Oh my insecticide! –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 19 : She is a Diamond –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– OFFICERS It's all very well – to a certain extent For the lady at the side of the President To show an interest in affairs But let's not be blind to the drift of events She's eclipsing the strength of the government She should return to below stairs She will never win our hearts She's a woman for a start She holds no elected post She's an ornament at most PERON But on the other hand she's all they have She's a diamond in their dull gray lives, and that's the Hardest kind of stone – it usually survives And if you think about it, can you recall The last time they loved anyone at all? She's not a bauble you can brush aside She's been out doing what we just talked about, example: Gave us back our businesses, got the English out And when you think about it – well why not do One or two of the things we promised to? But on the other hand she's slowing down She's lost a little of that magic drive – but I would Not advise her critics present to derive Any satisfaction from her fading star She's the one who's kept us where we are OFFICERS She's the one who's kept you where you are –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 20 : Dice Are Rolling / Eva's Sonnet –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– PERON Dice are rolling, the knives are out Would-be presidents are all around I don't say they mean harm but they'd each give an arm To see us six feet underground EVA But we still have the magic we've always had! The descamisados still worship me We arrived thanks to them and no one else! No thanks to your generals – a clutch of stuffed cuckoos! PERON It's not a question of a big parade Proving we're big with the mobs on the street Our problems are closer than that They're along the corridor EVA You're wrong – the people, my people – PERON The people belong to no one! They are fickle, can be manipulated Controllable, changeable In the end of people don't matter – however much they love you now It matters more that as far as my stuffed cuckoos are concerned, You don't officially or politically exist! EVA So I don't exist! So I count for nothing! Try saying that on the street When all over the world I am Argentina! Most of your generals wouldn't be recognized by their own mothers! But they'll admit I exist when I become vice-president! PERON That won't work... We've been through all of this before They'd fight any attempt to make you vice-president tooth and nail You'd never overcome that sort of opposition with a thousand rallies And even if you did – EVA Yes? PERON Your little body's slowly breaking down You're losing speed, you're losing strength – not style That goes on flourishing forever – But your eyes, your smile Do not have the sparkle of your fantastic past If you climb one more mountain it could be your last EVA I'm not that ill Bad moments come but they go Some days are fine some a little bit harder But I'm no has-been It's the same old routine Have you ever seen Me defeated? Don't you forget what I've been through and yet I'm still standing – And if I am ill – it could even be to your advantage! PERON This is not a case of a sympathetic word in the gossip column Because you've got a cold! I'm trying to point out that you might die! This talk of death is chilling, an assault – Upon ourselves and it will our fault If we allow Those morbid septic thoughts To rule us now To bring our reason clattering to a halt I do not need a final sacrifice Just let me know of any sane device To shift your strength, your undisputed powers To places where your mighty deeds Your golden words Have not so far cut too much ice EVA Then I must now be vice-president! (Eva's Sonnet) Those shallow mean pretenders to your throne Will come to learn ours is the upper hand For I do not accept this is not known Already in most quarters of our land To face the storm so long and not capsize Is not the chance achievement of a fraud Conservatives are kings of compromise So if it suits them, even they'll applaud And I shall have my people come to choose Two Perons who shall their country's crowns In thousands in my squares and avenues Emptying their villages and towns Where every soul in home or shack or stall Knows me as Argentina – that is all Oh I shall be a great vice-president! This is not a gambler's final throw Forced upon me by those bastards who've Only longed to see me up and go It's not an unprepared or panicked move Which just goes to prove I'd be good for you Eva vice-president is good for you –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 21 : Eva's Final Broadcast –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– OFFICERS That was the over the top unacceptable suggestion We didn't approve but we couldn't prevent The games of the wife of the president But to give her pretension encouragement! She's out of her depth and it's out of the question CHE Forgive my intrusion Evita I just had to see How you admit you have lost – a brand new experience! – we Got it set up! We fixed you a broadcast And you're so good on the air! EVA The actress hasn't learned the lines you'd like to hear How could she feel defeated by such cringing mediocrities? She's sad for her country Sad to be defeated by her own weak body She's sad for her people She hopes they will know she did not betray them (A microphone is switched on. EVA is now on the air) I want to tell the people of Argentina I've decided I should decline All the honours and titles you've pressed me to take For I'm contented – Let me simply go on As the woman who brings her people to the heart of Peron! Don't cry for me Argentina For the truth is I shall not leave you Though it may get harder For you to see me I'm Argentina And always will be Have I said too much? There's nothing more I can think of to say to you But all you have to do is look at me to know that every word is true –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 22 : Montage –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– (In her last hours, images, people and events from her life flow through EVA's mind, while the nation's grief knows no bounds – to the mass of the people she is already a saint, nothing less. EVA hears fragments from:) CHE "She had her moments ..." MAGALDI "Eva beware your ambition ..." GETTA/ WORKERS "A new Argentina ..." AN OFFICER "Statemanship is more ..." CHE "Accountants only slow things down ..." The WALTZ (While choirs her praises) PERON High flying, adored, so young, the instant queen, a Rich beautiful thing of all the talents, a cross between a Fantasy of the bedroom and a saint And you were just a backstreet girl Hustling and fighting Scratching and biting High flying, adored, did you believe in your wildest moments All this would be yours, that you'd become the lady of them all? Were there stars... –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 23 : Lament –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EVA The choice was mine and mine completely I could have any prize that I desired I could burn with the splendor of the brightest fire Or else – or else I could choose time Remember I was very young then And a year was forever and a day So what use could fifty, sixty, seventy be? I saw the lights and I was on my way And how I lived! How they shone! But how soon the lights were gone! The choice was mine and no one else's I could have the millions at my feet Give my life to people I might never meet Or else to children of my own Remember I was very young then Thought I needed the numbers on my side Thought the more that loved me the more loved I'd be But such things can not be multiplied Oh my daughter! Oh my son! Understand what I have done! (The moment EVA dies, embalmers move in to preserve her fragile body) EMBALMERS Eyes, hair, face, image All must be preserved Still life displayed forever No less than she deserved –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FINIS