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We Beseech Thee, Hear Us!
Two major songs were removed, that were from the original stage musical. They were entitled "We Beseech Thee" and "Learn Your Lessons Well". Both, however, have instrumental "cameos" in the movie. "We Beseech Thee" appears in the Cherry Lane Theatre scene, while the "car calliope" scene does "Learn Your Lessons Well". (Coincidentally, the Cherry Lane Theatre is actually where Godspell originally opened.)
Someone who knew Jeffrey also adds that Jeffrey explained why "We Beseech Thee" was cut from the film this way:
"In a stage musical, there is a tendency to include what's called a "10 o'clock number." It's a big, rousing, up-tempo number in the second act that is meant to wake up an audience that might be getting impatient, sleepy or restless. If you think of some classic musicals, you can identify some of these numbers, like "Get Me to the Church on Time" in My Fair Lady or "Shipoopi" in The Music Man. The need for such a number in a movie is debatable, and Jeff said that the powers-that-be on the film decided to dump the 10-o'clock-number "We Beseech Thee" in favor of a new, more pop-sounding song ("Beautiful City").
In its earliest stages, Godspell
had songs written mostly by the cast (with many of the lyrics drawn directly
from the Bible). "By My Side" was one of those songs. Peggy Gordon, who co-wrote
"By My Side," created the "Katie Hanley" role on stage.
When it was going to be picked up for a commercial run, the producers wanted to
substitute a more commercial-sounding score and brought in Stephen Schwartz to
look at the show. (The fact that Schwartz had attended college with many of the
people connected with the show was apparently a coincidence.)
Schwartz agreed to write a new score for the show but he fell in love with "By
My Side" and he insisted it remain in the show. (It's still considered one of
the best songs in the show.)"
"We Beseech Thee" was actually Jeffrey's solo number in the musical. However, it can still be heard on the Original New York cast soundtrack, which is actually the version you're hearing right now!
So, I've posted the lyrics to the song right here, and your accompaniment is already playing. Why not sing along? I personally dare you to top Jeffrey's performance.
[JEFFREY]
Father, hear thy children's call
Humbly at thy feet we fall
Prodigals confessing all
We beseech thee, hear us!
We thy call have disobeyed
Into paths of sin have strayed
And repentance have delayed
We beseech thee, hear us!
Come sing about
Love!
That made us first to be
Come sing about
Love!
That made the stone and tree
Come sing about Love!
That draws us lovingly
[JEFFREY AND CHORUS]
We beseech thee, hear us!
[CHORUS]
Sick!
[JEFFREY]
We come come to thee for cure
[CHORUS]
Guilty!
[JEFFREY]
We seek thy mercy sure
[CHORUS]
Evil!
[JEFFREY]
We long to be made pure
[ALL]
We beseech thee, hear us!
[CHORUS]
Blind!
[JEFFREY]
We pray that we may see
[CHORUS]
Bound!
[JEFFREY]
We pray to be made free
[CHORUS]
Stained!
[JEFFREY]
We pray for sanctity
[ALL]
We beseech thee, hear us!
[JEFFREY]
Come sing about
Love!
[CHORUS]
Love!
[JEFFREY]
That made us first to be
Come sing about Love!
[CHORUS]
Love!
[JEFFREY]
That made the stone and tree
Come sing about Love!
[ALL]
Love! Love! Love!
That draws us lovingly
We beseech thee, hear us!
[JEFFREY AND CHORUS]
By the gracious saving call
Spoken tenderly to all
Who have shared man's guilt and fall
We beseech thee, hear us!
By the love that longs to bless
Pitying our sore distress
Leading us to holiness
We beseech thee, hear us!
Grant us all from earth to rise
And to strain with eager eyes
Towards the promised Heavenly prize
We beseech thee, hear us!
Come sing about Love!
[CHORUS]
Love!
[JEFFREY]
That made us first to be
Come sing about Love!
[CHORUS]
Love!
[JEFFREY]
That made the stone and tree
Come sing about Love!
[ALL]
Love! Love! Love! Love!
That draws us lovingly
We beseech thee, hear us!
......Sorry, but I think I liked it better when I heard Jeffrey sing it.
But, I appreciate the effort. ;)
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