Jesus Christ Superstar script

Jesus Christ Superstar Script - Broadway musical

1. OVERTURE

2. HEAVEN ON THEIR MINDS

JUDAS
My mind is clearer now - at last all too well
I can see where we all soon will be.
If you strip away the myth from the man
You will see where we all soon will be.

Jesus! You've started to believe
The things they say of you,
You really do believe
This talk of God is true.
And all the good you've done
Will soon get swept away,
You've begun to matter more
Than the things you say.

Listen, Jesus, I don't like what I see,
All I ask is that you listen to me,
And remember - I've been your right hand man all along.
You have set them all on fire,
They think they've found the new Messiah,
And they'll hurt you when they find they're wrong.

I remember when this whole thing began,
No talk of God then - we called you a man.
And believe me - my admiration for you hasn't died.
But every word you say today
Gets twisted round some other way,
And they'll hurt you if they think you've lied.

Nazareth, your famous son should have stayed a great unknown,
Like his father carving wood - he'd have made good!
Tables, chairs and oaken chests would have suited Jesus best,
He'd have caused nobody harm - no-one alarm!

Listen, Jesus, do you care for your race?
Don't you see we must keep in our place?
We are occupied - have you forgotten how put down we are?
I am frightened by the crowd,
For we are getting much too loud,
And they'll crush us if we go too far.
If we go too far...

Listen, Jesus, to the warning I give,
Please remember that I want us to live,
But it's sad to see our chances weaking with every hour.
All your followers are blind,
Too much heaven on their minds,
It was beautiful but now it's sour,
Yes it's all gone sour...
Jesus it's all gone sour...

Listen, Jesus, to the warning I give,
Please remember that I want us to live,
So come on, come on, Jesus,
Won't you listen to me...

3. WHAT'S THE BUZZ? (Bethany, Friday night)

APOSTLES
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?

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

JESUS
Why should you want to know?
Don't you mind about the future, don't you try to think ahead,
Save tomorrow for tomorrow, think about today instead.

APOSTLES
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?

JESUS
I could give you facts and figures,
I could give you plans and forecasts,
Even tell you where I'm going.

APOSTLES
When do we ride into Jerusalem?
When do we ride into Jerusalem?
When do we ride into Jerusalem?
When do we ride into Jerusalem?

When do we ride into Jerusalem?
When do we ride into Jerusalem?
When do we ride into Jerusalem?
When do we ride into Jerusalem?

JESUS
Why should you want to know?
Why are you obsessed with fighting
Times and fates you can't defy?
If you knew the path we're riding,
You'd understand it less than I.

APOSTLES
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?

MARY MAGDALENE
Let me try to cool down your face a bit.
Let me try to cool down your face a bit.
Let me try to cool down your face a bit.
Let me try to cool down your face a bit.

Let me try to cool down your face a bit.
Let me try to cool down your face a bit.
Let me try to cool down your face a bit.
Let me try to cool down your face a bit.

JESUS
That feels nice, so nice ...
Mary - oh - that is good.
While you prattle through your supper -
Where and when and who and how,
She alone has tried to give me,
What I need right here and now.

APOSTLES
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?

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

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

4. STRANGE THING, MYSTIFYING

JUDAS
It seems to me a strange thing, mystifying,
That a man like you can waste his time
On women of her kind.
Yes I can understand that she amuses,
But to let her stroke you, kiss your hair,
Is hardly in your line.
It's not that I object to her profession,
But she doesn't fit in well
With what you teach and say.
It doesn't help us if you're inconsistent,
They only need a small excuse,
To put us all away.

JESUS
Who are you to criticize her?
Who are you to despise her?
Leave her, leave her, let her be now,
Leave her, leave her, she's with me now.
If your slate is clean - then you can throw stones,
If your slate is not then leave her alone!

I'm amazed that men like you can be so shallow thick and slow,
There is not a man among you who knows or cares if I come or go.

ALL (SAVE JUDAS)
No you're wrong! You're very wrong!
No you're wrong! You're very wrong!
No you're wrong! You're very wrong!
No you're wrong! You're very wrong!

How can you say that?
How can you say that?
How can you say that?
How can you say that?

JESUS
Not one - not one of you!

MARY MAGDALENE
Try not to get worried, try not to turn on to
Problems that upset you, oh, don't you know
Everything's alrigth, yes, everything's fine,
And we want you to sleep well tonight,
Let the world turn without you tonight,
If we try we'll get by so forget all about us tonight.

APOSTLES' WOMEN
Everything's alright, yes,
Everything's alright, yes.

MARY MAGDALENE
Sleep and I shall soothe you, calm you and anoint you
Myrrh for your hot forehead, oh, then you'll feel
Everything's alright, yes, everything's fine.
And it's cool and the ointment's sweet,
For the fire in your head and feet.
Close your eyes, close your eyes,
And relax think of nothing tonight...

APOSTLES' WOMEN
Everything's alright, yes,
Everything's alright, yes.

JUDAS
Woman your fine ointment - brand new and expensive
Could have been saved for the poor.
Why has it been wasted?
We could have raised maybe
Three hundred silver pieces or more.
People who are hungry, people who are starving
Matter more than your feet and hair.

MARY MAGDALENE
Try not to get worried, try not to turn on to
Problems that upset you, oh, don't you know
Everything's alrigth, yes, everything's fine,
And we want you to sleep well tonight,
Let the world turn without you tonight,
If we try we'll get by so forget all about us tonight.

APOSTLES' WOMEN
Everything's alright, yes,
Everything's alright, yes.

JESUS
Surely you're not saying we have the resources
To save the poor from their lot?
They will be poor always, pathetically struggling -
Look at the good things you've got !
Think ! while you still have me.
Move ! while you still see me.
You'll be lost, you'll be so sorry when I'm gone.

MARY MAGDALENE
Sleep and I shall soothe you, calm you and anoint you
Myrrh for your hot forehead, oh, then you'll feel
Everything's alright, yes, everything's fine.
And it's cool and the ointment's sweet,
For the fire in your head and feet.
Close your eyes, close your eyes,
And relax think of nothing tonight...

ALL
Everything's alright, yes,
Everything's alright, yes.

5. THIS JESUS MUST DIE (Jerusalem, Sunday)

PRIEST 1
Good Caiaphas the council waits for you,
The Pharisees and priests are here for you.

CAIAPHAS
Ah, gentlemen, you know why we are here,
We've not much time and quite a problem here.

MOB (outside)
Hosanna! Superstar!
Hosanna! Superstar!
Hosanna! Superstar!
Hosanna! Superstar!

ANNAS
Listen to that howling mob of blockheads in the street!
A trick or two with lepers and the whole town's on its feet.

ALL
He is dangerous!

MOB (outside)
Jesus Christ Superstar!

ALL
He is dangerous!

MOB (outside)
Tell us that you're who they say you are.

PRIEST 2
That man is in town right now to whip up some support.

PRIEST 3
A rabble rousing mission that I think we must abort.

ALL
He is dangerous!

MOB (outside)
Jesus Christ Superstar!

ALL
He is dangerous!

PRIEST 4
Look Caiaphas - they're right outside our yard!

PRIEST 5
Quick Caiaphas - go call the Roman guard!

CAIAPHAS
No wait - we need a more permanent solution to our problem...

ANNAS
What then to do about Jesus of Nazareth?
Miracle wonderman - hero of fools?

PRIEST 6
No riots, no army, no fighting, no slogans,

CAIAPHAS
One thing I'll say for him - Jesus is cool.

ANNAS
We dare not leave him to his own devices,
His half - witted fans will get out of control.

PRIEST 3
But how can we stop him? His glamour increases,
By leaps every minute - he's top of the poll.

CAIAPHAS
I see bad things arising - the crowd crown him king,
Which the Romans would ban.
I see blood and destruction,
Our elimination because of one man.
Blood and destruction because of one man.

ALL
Because, because, because of one man.

CAIAPHAS
Our elimination because of one man.

ALL
Because, because, because of one,
'Cause of one, 'cause of one man.

PRIEST 3
What then to do about this Jesusmania?

ANNAS
How do we deal with the carpenter king?

PRIEST 3
Where do we start with a man who is bigger,
Than John was when John did his Baptism thing?

CAIAPHAS
Fools! You have no perception!
The stakes we are gambling are frighteningly high!
We must crush him completely -
So like John before him, this Jesus must die.
For the sake of the nation this Jesus must die.

ALL
Must die, must die, this Jesus must die.

CAIAPHAS
So like John before him, this Jesus must die.

ALL
Must die, must die, this Jesus must,
Jesus must, Jesus must die!

6. HOSANNA

CROWD
Hosanna, Heysanna, Sanna Sanna Ho,
Sanna Hey, Sanna Ho, Sanna.
Hey. JC, JC, won't you smile at me?
Sanna Ho, Sanna Hey, Superstar.

CAIAPHAS
Tell the rabble to be quiet we anticipate a riot.
This common crowd is much too loud.
Tell the mob who sing your song
That they are fools and they are wrong.
They are a curse, they should disperse.

CROWD
Hosanna, Heysanna, Sanna Sanna Ho,
Sanna Hey, Sanna Ho, Sanna.
Hey. JC, JC, you're alright by me,
Sanna Ho, Sanna Hey, Superstar.

JESUS
Why waste your breath moaning at the crowd?
Nothing can be done to stop the shouting.
If every tongue were still the noise would still continue,
The rocks and stones themselves would start to sing :

CROWD (with JESUS)
Hosanna, Heysanna, Sanna Sanna Ho,
Sanna Hey, Sanna Ho, Sanna.
Hey. JC, JC, won't you fight for me?
Sanna Ho, Sanna Hey, Superstar.

7. SIMON ZEALOTES

CROWD
Christ, you know I love you,
Did you see I waved?
I believe in you and God,
So tell me that I'm saved.

Christ, you know I love you,
Did you see I waved?
I believe in you and God,
So tell me that I'm saved.

Jesus, I am with you,
Touch me, touch me, Jesus.
Jesus, I am on your side,
Kiss me, kiss me, Jesus.

SIMON ZEALOTES
Christ, what more do you need to convince you,
That you've made it and you're easily as strong.
As the fifth from Rome who rape out country,
And who've terrorized our people for so long?

CROWD
Christ, you know I love you,
Did you see I waved?
I believe in you and God,
So tell me that I'm saved.

Christ, you know I love you,
Did you see I waved?
I believe in you and God,
So tell me that I'm saved.

Jesus, I am with you,
Touch me, touch me, Jesus.
Jesus, I am on your side,
Kiss me, kiss me, Jesus.

SIMON ZEALOTES
There must be over fifty thousand
Screaming love and more for you.
Eveyone of fifty thousand
Would do whatever you ask him to.

Keep them yelling devotion,
But add a touch of hate at Rome.
You will rise to greater power,
We will win ourselves a home,
You'll get the power and the glory,
For ever and ever and ever!

You'll get the power and the glory,
For ever and ever and ever!
You'll get the power and the glory,
For ever and ever and ever!
Amen ! Amen !

8. POOR JERUSALEM

JESUS
Neither you, Simon, nor the fifty thousand,
Nor the Romans, nor the Jews,
Nor Judas, nor the twelwe,
Nor the priests, nor the scribes,
Nor doomed Jerusalem itself,
Understand what power is,
Understand what glory is,
Understand at all...understand at all.

If you knew all that I knew, my poor Jerusalem,
You'd see the truth, but you close your eyes,
But you close your eyes.
While you live your troubles are many, poor Jerusalem,
To conquer death you only have to die,
You only have to die.

9. PILATE'S DREAM
(Pontius Pilate's house, Monday)

PILATE
I dreamed I met a Galilean,
A most amazing man.
He had that look you very rarely find
The haunting hunted kind.

I asked him to say what had happened,
How it all began.
I asked again - he never said a word,
As if he hadn't heard.

And next the room was full of wild and angry men,
They seemed to hate this man - they fell on him and then,
They disappeared again.

Then I saw thousands of millions,
Crying for this man.
And then I heard them mentioning my name,
And leaving me the blame.

10. THE TEMPLE

MONEYLENDERS AND MERCHANTS
Roll on up - for my price is down,
Come on in - for the best in town,
Take your pick of the finest wine,
Lay your bets on this bird of mine.

Roll on up - for my price is down,
Come on in - for the best in town,
Take your pick of the finest wine,
Lay your bets on this bird of mine.

Name your price I got everything,
Come and buy it's all going fast.
Borrow cash on the finest terms,
Hurry now while stocks still last.

Roll on up - for my price is down,
Come on in - for the best in town,
Take your pick of the finest wine,
Lay your bets on this bird of mine.

Roll on up - for my price is down,
Come on in - for the best in town,
Take your pick of the finest wine,
Lay your bets on this bird of mine.

Name your price I got everything,
Come and buy it's all going fast.
Borrow cash on the finest terms,
Hurry now while stocks still last.

Roll on up - for my price is down,
Come on in - for the best in town,
Take your pick of the finest wine,
Lay your bets on this bird of mine.

Roll on up - for my price is down,
Come on in - for the best in town...

JESUS
My temple should be a house of prayer,
But you have made it a den of thieves.
Get out! Get out!

My time is almost through,
Little left to do,
After all I've tried for three years,
Seems like thirty,
Seems like thirty.

LEPERS
See my eyes - I can hardly see,
See me stand - I can hardly walk,
I believe you can make me whole,
See my tongue - I can hardly talk.

See my skin - I'm a mass of blood,
See my legs - I can hardly stand,
I believe you can make me well,
See my purse - I'm a poor poor man.

Will you touch will you mend me, Christ?
Won't you touch will you heal me, Christ?
Will you kiss you can cure me, Christ?
Won't you kiss won't you pay me, Christ?

See my eyes - I can hardly see,
See me stand - I can hardly walk,
I believe you can make me whole,
See my tongue - I can hardly talk.

See my skin - I'm a mass of blood,
See my legs - I can hardly stand,
I believe you can make me well,
See my purse - I'm a poor poor man.

Will you touch will you mend me, Christ?
Won't you touch will you heal me, Christ?
Will you kiss you can cure me, Christ?
Won't you kiss won't you pay me, Christ?

See my eyes - I can hardly see,
See me stand - I can hardly walk,
I believe you can make me whole,
See my tongue - I can hardly talk.

See my skin - I'm a mass of blood,
See my legs - I can hardly stand,
I believe you can make me well,
See my purse - I'm a poor poor man.

Will you touch will you mend me, Christ?
Won't you touch will you heal me, Christ?
Will you kiss you can cure me, Christ?
Won't you kiss won't you pay me, Christ?

See my eyes - I can hardly see,
See me stand - I can hardly walk,
I believe you can make me whole,
See my tongue - I can hardly talk.

See my skin - I'm a mass of blood,
See my legs - I can hardly stand,
I believe you can make me well,
See my purse - I'm a poor poor man.

Will you touch will you mend me, Christ?
Won't you touch will you heal me, Christ?
Will you kiss you can cure me, Christ?
Won't you kiss won't you pay me, Christ?

JESUS
There's too many of you - don't push me
There's too litte of me - don't crowd me
Heal yourselves

11. EVERYTHING'S ALRIGHT

MARY MAGDALENE
Try not to get worried, try not to turn on to
Problems that upset you, oh, don't you know
Everything's alright, yes, everything's fine,

JESUS
And I think I shall sleep well tonight,
Let the world turn without me tonight.

MARY MAGDALENE
Close your eyes, close your eyes,
And forget all about us tonight.

12. DON'T KNOW HOW TO LOVE HIM

MARY MAGDALENE
I don't know how to love him,
What to do how to move him.
I've been changed, yes, really changed,
In these past few days when I've seen myself,
I seem like someone else.

I don't know how to take this,
I don't see why he moves me.
He's a man, he's just a man,
And I've had so many men before
In very many ways,
He's just one more.

Should I bring him down, should I scream and shout,
Should I speak of love, let my feelings out.
I never thought I'd come to this - what's it all about.

Don't you think it's rather funny,
I should be in this position.
I'm the one who's always been
So calm, so cool, no lover's fool,
Running every show,
He scares me so.

I never thought I'd come to this - what's it all about.

Yet, if he said he loved me,
I'd be lost, I'd be frightened.
I couldn't cope, just couldn't cope,
I'd turn my head, I'd back away,
I wouldn't want to know,
He scares me so,
I want him so,
I love hime so.

13. DAMNED FOR ALL TIME (Tuesday)

JUDAS
Now if I help you it matters that you see,
These sordid kind of things are coming hard to me.
It's taken me some time to work out what to do,
I weighed the whole thing up before I came to you.
I have no thought at all about my own reward,
I really didn't come here of my own accord,
Just don't say I'm damned for all time.

I came because I had to I'm the one who saw -
Jesus can't control it like he did before.
And further more I know that Jesus thinks so too,
Jesus wouldn't mind that I was here with you.
I have no thought at all about my own reward,
I really didn't come here of my own accord,
Just don't say I'm damned for all time.

Annas, you're a friend, a worldly man and wise.
Caiaphas, my friend, I know you sympathise.
Why are we the prophets? Why are we the ones?
Who see the sad solution - know what must be done.
I have no thought at all about my own reward,
I really didn't come here of my own accord,
Just don't say I'm damned for all time.

ANNAS
Cut the protesting, forget the excuses,
We want information, get up off the floor!

CAIAPHAS
We have the papers, we need to arrest him,
You know his movements - we know the law.

ANNAS
Your help in this matter won't go unrewarded.

CAIAPHAS
We'll pay you in silver - cash on the nail.
We just need to know where the soldiers can find him.

ANNAS
With no crowd around him,

CAIAPHAS
Then we can't fail!

14. BLOOD MONEY

JUDAS
I don't need your blood money!

ANNAS
Oh, that doesn't matter, our expenses are good!

JUDAS
I don't want your blood money!

ANNAS
But you might as well take it - we think that you should.

CAIAPHAS
Think of the things you can do with that money,
Choose any charity - give to the poor.
We've noted your motives - we've noted your feelings,
This isn't blood money - it's a fee nothing,
Fee nothing, fee nothing more...

JUDAS
On Thursday night you'll find him where you want him,
Far from the crowds in the Garden of Gethsemane.

CHOIR
Well done, Judas!
Good old, Judas!

15. THE LAST SUPPER (Thursday night)

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
How can you say that?
Betray you? - Who? - Not me!
Impossible!

JESUS
Peter will deny me,
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 ruined 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 all because of you.
But now the saddest cut of all -
Someone had to turn you in,
Like a common criminal, like a wounded animal.
Jaded mandarin, a jaded mandarin,
Like a jaded, jaded, jaded, jaded, jaded mandarin.

JESUS
Get out! They're waiting! Get out! They're 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'd 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 still 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?



(End of side One. Side Two.)



16. IN THE GARDEN OF 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.
Want to know, I'd want to know, my God.
Want to see, I'd want to see, my God.
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.
Have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord.
Have to see, I'd have to see, my Lord.
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, I'd have to know, my Lord.
Have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord.
Why should I die?
Oh, 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 reason for your wanting me to die,
You're far to keen on where and how and not so hot on why.

Alright, I'll die!
Just watch me die!
See how I die!
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 started it.
God, die 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.

17. THE ARREST

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

JESUS
Judas must you betray me with a kiss?

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

PETER AND APOSTLES
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening?
Hang on Lord, we're gonna 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 (individually)
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 where 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?

(together)
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.

(individually)
Come on, God, this is not like you,
Let us know what you're gonna do.
You know what your 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 would you say where your big mistakes?

(together)
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!
Now we have him! Now we've got him!
Now we have him! Now we've got him!
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 you'll see it bleed!

CROWD
Now we have him! Now we have got him!
Now we have him! Now we have got him!
Now we have him! Now we have got him!
Now we have him! Now we have got him!

Take him to Pilate!
Take him to Pilate!
Take him to Pilate!
Take him to Pilate!

18. 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 recognise 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 him,
You were rigth by his side and yet you denied.

PETER
I tell you I was never ever with him!

OLD MAN
But I saw you too - he 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...

19. PILATE AND CHRIST (Friday)

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, Hey Sanna, Sanna, Sanna Ho,
Sanna Hey, Sanna Ho and how.
Hey, JC, JC, please explain to me:
You had everything, where is it now?

20. KING HEROD'S SONG

HEROD
Jesus, I am overjoyed to meet you face to face.
You've been getting quite a name all around to place.
Healing cripples 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 divine - change my water into wine.
That's all you need do and I'll know it's all true.
C'mon, King of the Jews!

Jesus, you just won't believe the hit you've made around 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,
C'mon, 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?
Oh, I'm 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't do it on your head!
Or has something gone wrong?
Why do you take so long?
C'mon, 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!

21. JUDAS'S 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 gonna blame.
I don't believe he knows I acted for our good,
I'd save him all this suffering if I could,
Don't believe...our good...save him...if I could...

PRIEST 3
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 vengeance,
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 to.
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's not a king - he's 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, does he love me too? Does he care for me?

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

CHOIR
Poor old Judas,
So long Judas...

22. TRIAL BEFORE PILATE

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

CAIAPHAS
We turn to Rome to sentence Nazareth,
We have no law to put a man to death.
We need him crusified - it's all you have to do.
We need him crusified - 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 unchanging law?
We both have truths - are mine the same as your?

MOB
Crusify him!
Crusify him!

PILATE
What do you mean? You'd crusify 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!
Crusify 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!

MOB
Crusify him! Crusify him!
Crusify! Crusify! Crusify! Crusify!...

(39 lashes)

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?

MOB
Pilate! Crusify him! Crusify!
Remember Caesar - you have a duty
To keep the peace, so crusify him!
Remember Caesar - you'll be demoted,
You'll be deported. Crusify him!

Remember Caesar - you have a duty
To keep the peace, so crusify him!
Remember Caesar - you'll be demoted,
You'll be deported. Crusify him!

Remember Caesar - you have a duty
To keep the peace, so crusify him!
Remember Caesar - you'll be demoted,
You'll be deported. Crusify 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!

23. 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 and such a strange land?
If you'd come today you could have reached a whole nation,
Israel in 4 BC had no mass communication.

JUDAS AND GIRLS
Don't you get me wrong...
Only want to know...

ANGELS
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ,
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ,
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?

Jesus Christ, Superstar,
Do you think you're what they say you are?
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'd you think besides yourself's the pick of the crop?
Buddha was he where it's at? Is he where you are?
Could Mahomet move a mountain or was that just PR?
Did you mean to die like that? Was that a mistake or
Did you know your messy death would be a recorver-breaker?

JUDAS AND GIRLS
Don't you get me wrong...
Only want to know...

ANGELS
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ,
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ,
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?

Jesus Christ, Superstar,
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Jesus Christ, Superstar,
Do you think you're what they say you are?

24 THE 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! I am thirsty!
Oh God! I am thirsty!
I am thirsty! I am thirsty!
It is finished.
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
Last Update:August, 06th 2024

> > > Jesus Christ Superstar script
Broadway musical soundtrack lyrics. Song lyrics from theatre show/film are property & copyright of their owners, provided for educational purposes