MA_text

A Musical History
of the Western World
in four independent parts

book, music, and lyrics by
W. Scott Smoot

first presented by students of
St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Jackson, MS
one part each year, 1984-1987

"Out of the Dark" (opening sequence, in ten parts)
1. O God our Help in Ages Past listen
2. (Cave Woman) What's that? I heard a growling noise!listen
3. Out of the dark, into the light... listen
4. (Nomad family) What's that? Hunting and gathering can't wait... listen
5. Out of the dark / We're neolithic people buildin' Jericho...listen
6. (Hammurabi and Scribe) What's this? Your impropriety. . .listen
7. Out of the dark / Storm!listen
8. Ye gods, our helps in ages past...listen
9. (Aknaton, spoken) "The Pharoah is dead. I am your new pharoah..."listen
10. Hymn: Thou God Alone listen
11. Out of the Dark listen
12. What's that? 3000 years have passed... listen

"The Myth of Prometheus"
13. "Nothing at All" listen
14. "Standing By You" listen
15. "Imagine Forever" listen
16. (conclusion of "Imagine Forever") Don't worry what's right, dear... listen
17. "Hard Rock Blues" listen
18. "Thou God Alone" (reprise) listen
19. (finale) Out of the Dark... listen

"Welcome to the Middle Ages" (opening song, in five parts)
1. O God our Help in Ages Past listen
2. Since Christ arose his church has spread / by Romans through the land listen
3. Dies Irae Dies Illa / In times of chaos, when life is scary... listen
4. Life's unpleasant for the peasant... listen
5. This is the epoch of saints and sages... listen

"The Peasant Doctor" (the Widow's song, based on an 12th century folk tale)
6. (spoken) "Once upon a time, there was a wealthy, stingy peasant..." listen
7. Soon he got jealous back at his plow... listen
8. One day, two squires came from the king... listen
9. She thought a moment, then told them the truth about her husband... listen
10. Right to the head, left to the belt... listen
11. (spoken) "Maybe a good laugh will dislodge the bone..." listen
12. Coughing and sneezing, speckled and pale... listen
13. First, I'll inquire, who's sickest here? listen
14. Gold for the right, gold for the left... (conclusion) listen

"Keeping the King in Line" ("The Ballad of Magna Carta," the Knight's rap)
15. It all started with a Viking finding England to his liking... listen

"Candles in the Night" (Saints' song, including the assassination of Thomas Becket)
16. You feel alone, think you can't last... listen
17. You're not alone, you're not the first... listen
18. You are my flock, the wolf's on the throne! listen
19. Assassination of Becket / Saints may die but they're not finished... listen

Part Three: The Renaissance
music and lyrics by W. Scott Smoot
(to be posted here during the 2004-2005 school year)

Part Four: A New World
music and lyrics by W. Scott Smoot
(to be posted here during the 2004-2005 school year)