Jesus Christ Superstar - Act II Lyrics


The Last Supper Could We Start Again Please?
Argument Judasī Death
Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) Trial Before Pilate
The Arrest Superstar
Peterīs Denial The Crucifixion
Pilate and Christ John Nineteen : Forty-One
King Herodīs Song .




The Last Supper  

APOSTLES
Look at all my trials and tribulations
Sinking in a gentle pool of wine.
Don't disturb me now, I can see the answers
'Till this evening is this morning, life is fine.

Always hoped that I'd be an apostle.
Knew that I would make it if I tried.
Then when we retire, we can write the Gospels,
So they'll still talk about us when we've died.

JESUS
The end...
Is just a little harder when brought about by friends.
For all you care, this wine could be my blood.
For all you care, this bread could be my body.
The end!
This is my blood you drink.
This is my body you eat.
If you would remember me when you eat and drink.

I must be mad thinking I'll be remembered. Yes,
I must be out of my head.
Look at your blank faces. My name will mean nothing
Ten minutes after I'm dead.
One of you denies me.
One of you betrays me...

APOSTLES
No! Not I! Who would?! Impossible!



Argument  

JESUS
Peter will deny my in Just a few hours.
Three times will deny me,
And that's not all I see.
One of you here dining,
One of my twelve chosen
Will leave to betray me.

JUDAS
Cut out the dramatics! You know very well who...

JESUS
Why don't you go do it?

JUDAS
You want me to do it!

JESUS
Hurry, they are waiting...

JUDAS
If you knew why I do it...

JESUS
I don't care why you do it!

JUDAS
To think I admired you.
For now I despise you.

JESUS
You liar. You Judas...

JUDAS
You want me to do it!
What if I just stayed here
And runied your ambition.
Christ you deserve it.

JESUS
Hurry, you fool. Hurry and go.
Save me your speeches, I don't want to know. Go!

APOSTLES
Look at all my trials and tribulations
Sinking in a gentle pool of wine.
What's that in the bread? It's gone to my head,
'Till this morning is this evening, life is fine.

Always hoped that I'd be an apostle.
Knew that I would make it if I tried.
Then when we retire, we can write the Gospels,
So they'll all talk about us when we've died.

JUDAS
You sad, pathetic man, see where you've brought us to,
Our ideals die around us and it's all because of you.
And now the sadest cut of all:
Someone has to turn you in.
Like a common criminal, like a wounded animal.
A jaded mandarin,
A jaded mandarin,
As a jaded, jaded, faded, jaded, jaded mandarin.

JESUS
Get out they're waiting!
Get out, they are waiting!
Oh, they're waiting for you!

JUDAS
Everytime I look at you I don't understand
Why you let the things you did get so out of hand.
You'd have managed better if you had it planned...

APOSTLES
Look at all my trials and tribulations
Sinking in a gentle pool of wine.
Don't disturb me now. I can see the answers,
Till this evening is this morning, life is fine.

Always hoped that I'd be an apostle.
Knew that I would make it if I tried.
Then when we retire, we can write the Gospels,
So they'll all talk about us when we've died.

JESUS
Will no one stay awake with me?
Peter, John, James?
Will none of you wait with me?
Peter, John, James?


Gethsemane  

JESUS
I only want to say,
If there is a way,
Take this cup away from me.
For I don't want to taste its poison.
Feel it burn me,
I have changed.
I'm not as sure, as when we started.
Then, I was inspired.
Now, I'm sad and tired.
Listen, surely I've exceeded expectations,
Tried for three years, seems like thirty.
Could you ask as much from any other man?

But if I die,
See the saga through and do the things you ask of me,
Let them hate me, hit me, hurt me, nail me to their tree.
I'd want to know, I'd want to know, My God,
I'd want to know, I'd want to know, My God,
I'd want to see, I'd want to see, My God,
I'd want to see, I'd want to see, My God,
Why I should die.
Would I be more noticed than I ever was before?
Would the things I've said and done matter any more?
I'd have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord,
I'd have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord,
I'd have to see, I'd have to see, my Lord,
I'd have to see, I'd have to see, my Lord,
If I die what will be my reward?
If I die what will be my reward?
Have to know, have to know, my Lord,
Have to know, have to know, my Lord,
Why should I die?
Why why should I die?
Can you show me now that I would not be killed in vain?
Show me just a little of your omnipresent brain.
Show me there's a reason for you wanting me to die.
You're far to keen and where and how, but not so hot on why.
Alright, I'll die!
Just watch me die!
See, see, see how I die!
Oh, see, see how I die!

Then I was inspired.
Now, I'm sad and tired.
After all, I've tried for three years, seems like ninety.
Why then am I scared to finish what I started,
What you started - I didn't start it.
God, thy will is hard,
But you hold every card.
I will drink your cup of poison.
Nail me to your cross and break me.
Bleed me, beat me.
Kill me. Take me, now!
Before I change my mind.

JUDAS
There he is, they're all asleep the fools!

JESUS
Judas, must you betray me with a kiss?


Betrayal/Arrest  

PETER
What's the buzz?
Tell me what's happening.

PETER and APOSTLES
What's the buzz?
Tell me what's a-happening.
Hang on, Lord,
We're going to fight for you!

JESUS
Put away your sword
Don't you know that it's all over?
It was nice, but now it's gone.
Why are you obsessed with fighting?
Stick to fishing from now on.

CROWD
Tell me Christ how you feel tonight.
Do you plan to put up a fight?
Do you feel that you've had the breaks?
What would you say were your big mistakes?
Do you think that you may retire?
Did you think you would get much higher?
How do you view your coming trial?
Have your men proved at all worth while?

Come with us to see Caiaphas.
You'll just love the High Priest's house.
You'll just love seeing Caiaphas.
You'll just die in the High Priest's house.
Come on God this is not like you.
Let us know what you're gonna do.
You know what you're supporters feel;
You'll escape in the final reel.

Tell me Christ how you feel tonight.
Do you plan to put up a fight?
Do you feel that you've had the breaks?
What will you say were your big mistakes?

Come with us to see Caiaphas.
You'll just love the High Priest's house.
You'll just love seeing Caiaphas.
You'll just die in the High Priest's house.

Now we have him!
Now we've got him!

CAIAPHAS
Jesus, you must realize the serious charges facing you.
You say you're the Son of God in all your handouts,
Well, is it true?

JESUS
That's what you say, you say that I am.

ANNAS
There you have it gentlemen.
What more evidence do we need?
Judas, thank you for the victim.
Stay a while and you'll see him bleed!

CROWD
Now we have him!
Now we've got him!
Take him to Pilate!


Peter's Denial  

MAID BY THE FIRE
I think I've seen you somewhere.
I remember,
You were with that man they took away.
I recognize your face.

PETER
You've got the wrong man lady.
I don't know him,
And I wasn't where he was tonight
Never near the place.

SOLDIER
That's strange, for I am sure I saw you with with him.
You were right by his side, and yet you denied.

PETER
I tell you I was never ever with him.

OLD MAN
But I saw you too. It looked just like you.

PETER
I don't know him!

MARY MAGDALENE
Peter, don't you know what you have said?
You've gone and cut him dead.

PETER
I had to do it, don't you see?
Or else they'd go for me.

MARY MAGDALENE
It's what he told us you would do.
I wonder how he knew.


Pilate and Christ  

PILATE
Who is this broken man cluttering up my hallway?
Who is this unfortunate?

SOLDIER
Someone Christ, King of the Jews.

PILATE
Oh, so this is Jesus Christ, I am really quite surprised.
You look so small,
Not a king at all.
We all know that you are news,
But are you king? King of the Jews?

JESUS
That's what you say.

PILATE
What do you mean by that?
That is not an answer.
You're deep in trouble friend,
Someone Christ, King of the Jews.

How can someone in your state be so cool about your fate?
An amazing thing, this silent king.
Since you come from Galilee, then you need not come to me.
You're Herod's race! You're Herod's case!

MOB
Ho-ho Sanna Heysanna Sanna Sanna Hosanna
Heysanna Ho and how
Hey JC, JC please explain to me,
You had everything. Where is it now?


King Herod's Song  

HEROD
Jesus, I am overjoyed to meet you face to face.
You've been getting quite a name all around the place.
Healing criples. Raising from the dead.
And now I understand you're God?
At least, that's what you've said.

So, you are the Christ, you're the great Jesus Christ.
Prove to me that you're devine; change my water into wine.
That's all you need do, and I'll know it's all true.
Come on, King of the Jews.

Jesus, you just won't believe the hit you've made 'round here.
You are all we talk about, the wonder of the year.
Oh what a pity if it's all a lie.
Still, I'm sure that you can rock the cynics if you try.

So, you are the Christ, you're the great Jesus Christ.
Prove to me that you're no fool; walk across my swimming pool.
If you do that for me, then I'll let you go free.
Come on, King of the Jews.

I only ask things I'd ask any superstar.
What is it that you have got that puts you where you are.
I am waiting, yes I'm a captive fan.
I'm dying to be shown that you are not just any man.

So, if you are the Christ, yes the great Jesus Christ
Feed my household with this bread. You can do it on your head.
Or has something gone wrong. Why do you take so long?
Come on, King of the Jews.

Hey! Aren't you scared of me Christ? Mr. Wonderful Christ?
You're a joke. You're not the Lord. You're nothing but a fraud.
Take him away. He's got nothing to say!
Get out you King of the,
Get out,
Get out you King of the Jews!
Get out you King of the Jews!
Get out of my life! Yah!


Could We Start Again Please?  

MARY
I've been living to see you.
Dying to see you, but it shouldn't be like this.
This was unexpected,
What do I do now?
Could we start again please?
Could we start again?

I've been very hopeful, so far.
Now for the first time,
I think we're going wrong.
Hurry up and tell me,
This is just a dream.
Oh could we start again please?
Could we start again?

PETER
I think you've made your point now.
You've even gone a bit too far to get the message home.
Before it gets too frightening,
We ought to call a halt,
So could we start again please?
Could we start again?
Could we start again?
Could we start again?
Could we start again?

Wish I could reassure you,
Wish I could talk to you and tell you how I feel.
I've been very careless,
This I don't deny,
But could we start again please?
Could we start again?

You surely know I love you,
But something in me stands aside, and lets you slip away.
Perhaps that's what you wanted,
Perhaps I want that too.
Oh could we start again please?
Could we start again?

Could we start again please?


Judas' Death  

JUDAS
My God! I saw him. He looked three-quarters dead!
And he was so bad I had to turn my head.
You beat him so hard that he was bent and lame,
And I know who everybody's going to blame.
I don't believe he knows he acted for our good.
I'd save him all this suffering if I could.
Don't believe...Our good...
Save him...If I could...

ANNAS
Cut the confessions, forget the excuses.
I don't understand why you're filled with remorse.
All that you've said has come true with a vengance.
The mob turned against him. You backed the right horse.

CAIAPHAS
What you have done will be the saving of Israel.
You'll be remembered forever for this.
And not only that, you've been paid for your efforts.
Pretty good wages for one little kiss.

JUDAS
Christ, I know you can't hear me,
But I only did what you wanted me too.
Christ, I'd sell out the nation,
For I have been saddled with the murder of you.

I have been spattered with innocent blood.
I shall be dragged through the slime and the mud.
I have been spattered with innocent blood.
I shall be dragged through the slime and the mud!

I don't know how to love him.
I don't know why he moves me.
He's a man. He's just a man.
He is not a king. He is just the same
As anyone I know.
He scares me so!

When he's cold and dead will he let me be?
Does he love me too? Does he care for me?

Oh, Oh!
My mind is in darkness now.
My God, I am sick. I've been used,
And you knew all the time.
God, I'll never ever ever know why you chose me for your crime.
Your foul bloody crime.
God, You have murdered me! You have murdered me, murdered me!
You have murdered me murdered me murdered me murdered me!

CHOIR
Poor old Judas.
So long Judas.


Trial & 39 Lashes  

PILATE
And so the king is once again my guest.
And why is this? Was Herod unimpressed?

CAIAPHAS
We turn to Rome to sentance Nazareth.
We have no law to put a man to death.
We need him crucified. It's all you have to do.
We need him crucified. It's all you have to do.

PILATE
Talk to me Jesus Christ.
You have been brought here
Manacled, beaten by your own people.
Do you have the first idea why you deserve it?
Listen King of the Jews,
Where is your kingdom?
Look at me. Am I a Jew?

JESUS
I have got no kingdom in this world. I'm through, through, through.

MOB
Talk to me Jesus Christ.

JESUS
There may be a kingdom for me somewhere. If I only knew.

PILATE
Then you're a king?

JESUS
It's you that say I am.
I look for truth and find that I get damned.

PILATE
But what is truth? Is truth a changing law?
We both have truths. Are mine the same as yours?

MOB
Crucify him! Crucify him!

PILATE
What do you mean? You'd crucify your king?

MOB
We have no king but Caesar!

PILATE
He's done no wrong. No, not the slightest thing.

MOB
We have no king but Caesar! Crucify him!

PILATE
Well this is new, respect for Caesar.
Till now this has been noticably lacking.
Who is this Jesus?
Why is he different?
You Jews produce messiahs by the sackfull.

CROWD
We need him crucified, it's all you have to do.

PILATE
Talk to me Jesus Christ.
Look at your Jesus Christ.
I'll agree he's mad.
Ought to be locked up,
But that is not a reason to destroy him.

He's a sad little man,
Not a King or God.
Not a thief, I need a crime!

CROWD
Kill him, he says he's God, he's a blasphemer,
He'll conquer you, and us and even Caesar.
A-hahahahahah. Crucify him, crucify him!

PILATE
Behold the man, behold your shattered King.

CROWD
We have no King but Caesar.

PILATE
You hippocrites, you hate us more than him.

CROWD
We have no King but Caesar, crucify him!

PILATE
I see no reason. I find no evil.
This man is harmless, so why does he upset you?
He's just misguided, thinks he's important,
But to keep you vultures happy I shall flog him.

CROWD
Crucify him! Crucify him! Crucify, crucify, crucify, crucify.

[Thirty-nine lashes, Pilate counts]

PILATE
Where are you from Jesus?
What do you want Jesus?
Tell me.
You've got to be careful.
You could be dead soon,
Could well be.
Why do you not speak when I have your life in my hands?
How can you stay quiet? I don't believe you understand.

JESUS
You have nothing in your hands.
Any power you have, comes to you from far beyond.
Everything is fixed, and you can't change it.

PILATE
You're a fool Jesus Christ. How can I help you?

CROWD
Pilate, Crucify him!
Remember Caesar. You have a duty
To keep the peace, so crucify him!
Remember Caesar. You'll be demoted.
You'll be deported. Crucify him!

PILATE
Don't let me stop your great self-destruction.
Die if you want to, you misguided martyr.
I wash my hands of your demolition.
Die if you want to you innocent puppet!


Superstar  

VOICE OF JUDAS
Everytime I look at you I don't understand
Why you let the things you did get so out of hand.
You'd have managed better if you'd had it planned.
Why'd you choose such a backward time in such a strange land?
If you'd come today you would have reached the whole nation.
Israel in 4 BC had no mass communication.
Don't you get me wrong.
I only want to know.

CHOIR
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ,
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ Superstar,
Do you think you're what they say you are?

VOICE OF JUDAS
Tell me what you think about your friends at the top.
Who you think besides yourself's the pick of the crop?
Buddah, was he where it's at? Is he where you are?
Could Mohammed move a mountain, or was that just PR?
Did you mean to die like that? Was that a mistake, or
Did you think your messy death would be a record breaker?
Don't you get me wrong.
I only want to know.

CHOIR
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ,
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ Superstar,
Do you think you're what they say you are?


Crucifixion  

JESUS
God, forgive them, they don't know what they're doing.
Who is my mother? Where is my mother?
My God! My God, why have you forgotten me?
I am thirsty.
God, I am thirsty.
I am thirsty!
It is finished!
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

John Nineteen Forty-One

[No lyrics]