LIBRETTO: 'birth, love, hate, death"

Scene 1: THE MATERNITY WARD:
At the hospital, the story is introduced by a doctor or nurse who is singing a song to the newborns in the maternity ward.  He/she is very attentive to them.  A new mother is in a room alone with her baby in the maternity ward

Song1) Welcome to the World © Gerry Dantone 2016
Sung by the Narrator:      

Open up your sleepy eyes and take a look around
It’s your life, you won’t want to miss a thing
And even though it makes no sense and always will confound
Take a look at what each day will bring 

My sweet young woman
My sweet young boy
May you live the good life
May you find the joy 

Welcome to the world
Welcome to the world 

Everyday you’ll live and learn though
you’ll never know
Is this it, is there no second chance?
While others seem to live their lives to serve the status quo
May you live to love and sing and dance 

My sweet young man
My sweet young man
May your lives have purpose
May you rule your world 

Sorry I’m the one to tell you this
We all don’t get to live a life of bliss
Sometimes we don’t care or help enough
I confess that we have gone and screwed it up

I’m sure you want to know where did we all come from
You want to know what comes after this?
The secret’s in the way you live,
Not in kingdom come
May you live to taste your love’s sweet kiss           

My sweet darling
My sweet child
The road is winding
And the weather’s wild 

Welcome to the World
(The road is winding
And the weather’s wild)
repeat 4 times)
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Scene 2a: AT THE MOTHER’S HOME: Sometime later (years?) the mother sings to her young child who is asleep at their apartment. 

Song 2) I Wish I Could Tell You This © G. Dantone 2016
(Sung by the Mother in her bedroom to her sleeping child:) 
I
'm not as bad
As you might think
I wish I could tell you this
You’re too young
You might not understand
I wish I could tell you this 

When I was young
My mom had a boyfriend
I wish I could tell you this
He’d get drunk
To my room he went
I wish I could tell you this
 “Don’t say nothin’”
Is all he said
My own prison
Was my bed
I’d be wishing
I was dead
I wish I could tell you this 

Then I got pregnant
And was called a whore
I wish I could tell you this
They forced me to have you
Then he disappeared
I wish I could tell you this
Now his shadow
Is in your eyes
I can’t accept it
I don’t know why
Nothing against you
It makes me cry
I wish I could tell you this 

I just don’t care
I’m beyond all help
I wish I could tell you this
Better that you hate me
Than hate yourself
I wish I could tell you this
I see his shadow
In your eyes
I can’t explain it
No reason why
Nothing against you
It makes me cry
I wish I could tell you this…

________________________________________________________

Scene 2bAT THE MOTHER’S HOME: Many years later, at their apartment, the son is a young man, and he sees that his mother is obviously impaired, in a drunken stupor or asleep.  He packs his bags as he sings, and at the end of the song, he leaves.

 

Song 3) Your Son © Gerald Dantone 2016
(Sung by the son)
From the moment I existed
You were trying to deny me
The more I looked toward you
The more you turned away
The drugs, the men, the money
The things I thought were normal
The way I always saw myself
The words you couldn’t say
And the more that I’d believe you
The less that you would tell me
And when I asked you’d give me
A world of make believe
And if I went to reach out
You’d only say I hurt you
And when I tried to trust you
The more you would deceive 

Dear Mom, Your Son

The more that I would understand
The more that it would scare me
The deepest darkest places
Were my childhood dreams
From the moment I had feelings
I always was repressing
From the slightest cut you’d give me
I’d find a way to bleed 

Dear Mom, Your Son

Your son is a liar
Your son is a freak
Your son is a loser
Your son is a creep
Your son is a nothing
Your son is me 

Dear Mom, Your Son 

Look at these hands
Look at this face
I look like you
Do you pray
That someday soon
I’d be like you
Just like you

 I always was just waiting
For the day that you’d come back
To be the one that I needed
If you gave a damn
You don’t know what I’m doing
You don’t know where I going
You won’t say who my dad is
Or who the hell I am 

Dear Mom, Your Son

Your son is a liar
Your son is a freak
Your son is a loser
Your son is a creep
Your son is a nothing
Your son is me 

Dear Mom, Your Son

From the moment I existed
You were trying to deny me

______________________________________________________________

Scene 3: DANIELLE’S APARTMENT: A tough young girl explains her story to the audience; her escape from a cult ends in a ride from her future Sugar Daddy. As she tells her story she gets ready to go out from her apartment and go to a club on what may be her birthday.  But is she going to party or seek a momentary escape from her life?

Song 4) The Prophet © G. Dantone 2016
(Sung by Danielle)
I was just a young thing
When the Prophet first noticed me
I must have caught his eye
 ‘Cause I looked fifteen
He went and asked my dad
Where did he get a thing so sweet?
They went and made a deal
I’d be number three 

No one asked me what I thought
And if I ran I would be caught
I should be glad to be his wife
It’s such a joy, it’ll be so nice

No matter what they said
I couldn’t understand anyone
 ‘Til the day arrived
And the deed was done
Well it made me sick
Until I learned how to be numb
And wait for the day
I could make my run 

I would take every dime I could steal
And kill anything that I could feel
They would say I was going to hell
They’d be right if I could tell

But I’m free, I’m free
No one’s getting inside me
I’m free, I’m free, oh yeah
I’m free, I’m free
No one’s getting inside me
I’m free, I’m free, oh yeah 

One night while they were sleeping
I knew I couldn’t hesitate
I kept low, so no one saw me
Down to the Interstate
Some guy pulled up in fast thing
I remember he was asking
What’s in it for me? 

That was long ago
Now I got someone who has agreed
To give me what I want
And pay for every need
I’ve made my way
All those people, if they’d only see
I’ve come of age
Happy birthday to me
I would take every dime I could steal
And kill anything that I could feel
They would say I was going to hell
They’d be right if I could tell

 But I’m free, I’m free
No one’s getting inside me
I’m free, I’m free, oh yeah
I’m free, I’m free
No one’s getting inside me
I’m free, I’m free, oh yeah

________________________________________________________

Scene 4a: THE CLUB: At a rave or club or party, he self-consciously talks to a girl (Danielle) and asks for a dance with self-humiliating results when she snubs him and says no.  He sings about this episode in the beginning of the two parts of this song and flees the club to the roof in the second scene in this song.  At the same time, Danielle feels guilty about how she acted towards him and can relate to his humiliation and follows him as he leaves and walks up to the roof of the building. 

 Song 5) My Hands Are Tied © 1985 Gerald Dantone
(Sung by the son)
My hands are tied, my hands are tied

She could've been the Queen of England
The way I told her I'd really like to know her
And my eyes had trouble with their focus
I was afraid that maybe she would notice
I took a pill to gather up some courage
But instead I got an awful headache
She looked at me like I was annoying
I felt the knife, I felt like I was dying

My hands are tied, my hands are tied
My hands are tied, my hands are tied  

 In the night I found a broken stairway
I'll end my life, at least I'll make'm save me
And the pills I took like they were candy
I didn't know what ledge that I was standing

My hands are tied, my hands are tied
My hands are tied, my hands are tied

And all the world's a bitter joke
You bear your heart it ends up broke
I might as well not make a sound
I might as well not be around

And all the world's a bitter joke
You bear your heart it ends up broke  
I might as well not make a sound
I might as well not be around  

I fell asleep, my feet were dangling
And my life, it wasn't really changing
And my head, I had another bad dream
And the world, was it really laughing

My hands are tied, my hands are tied
My hands are tied, my hands are tied  
My hands are tied, my hands are tied  
My hands are tied, my hands are tied  

_______________________________________________________________

Scene 4b: THE ROOF OF THE CLUB BUILDING: The Son finds himself on the ledge of the roof.  He turns and sees Danielle while he’s on the ledge.  Danielle guides him off the ledge.  All he has on him are some pills – which he throws away.  They leave in her car to go to his apartment.

Song 6: Take MeHome (c) G. Dqntone 1986
(Sung by the son)
She looked me in the eye
I didn’t even know her
I was just a passerby
She said
(Danielle sings)
 “I know what your thinking
But it’s not that way at all.
I just don’t care anymore”
(The son sings)
She lit another cigarette
I said, “Why do you do it?”
And told her it’s going to be her death
She said,
(Danielle sings)
“Well what does it matter?
 ‘Cause I don’t care how I go
As long as it’s not alone”

Take me home
Take me home
Take me home
Take me home 

(The son sings)
We went out to her car
I said something funny
She seemed to be so far
I said, “This is what you wanted”
She said,
(Danielle sings)
“It’s just a thing to do
We both had the time to lose” 

Take me home
Take me home            (It’s not so much desire)
Take me home            (I just wanna be by your side)
Take me home
Take me home
Take me home            (It’s not so much desire)
Take me home            (I just wanna be by your side)
Take me home

(The son sings)
I took her up to my room
My head was really spinning
I didn’t know what to do
She asked for my protection
(Danielle sings)
“‘Cause the night can be so cold
I just need someone to hold”

Take me home
Take me home            (It’s not so much desire)
Take me home            (I just wanna be by your side
Take me home
Take me home
Take me home            (It’s not so much desire)
Take me home            (I just wanna be by your side)
Take me home

_______________________________________________________________________

Scene 5: Danielle’s apartment: At her place, he begins to fall for Danielle while he struggles to understand her.  He sings this while she is asleep.
Song 7: Danielle (c) Gerald Dantone
(Sung by the son)
Danielle
You think you're very funny
Danielle
You make a lot of money
Do you ever lie awake at night
And you wish that you were only nine
Danielle
You're the life of the party
Danielle
You'll never say you're sorry
Does the new car mean you've got it made?
Do you have a friend you won’t betray?
Danielle  

Sometimes you'll drop your guard
It's all a pose, you're not so smart
Someday you'll hear yourself
It's just a joke, on no one else but you

Danielle
You think you're really famous
Danielle
You're only the latest
Where will you put the sadness and the pain
Do you really think you'll ever be the same?
Danielle
Sometimes you’re not so tough
We’ll see through you, and call your bluff
Someday you’ll see yourself
It’s such a shame, on no one else but you

Danielle
You're losing your fire
Danielle
You'll have to retire
We've seen it all, what did we really see
Is this all that you were meant to be
You're just running, you think you're really free
I wonder what the hell it is you really need
Danielle, Danielle, Danielle, Danielle      
Danielle

_______________________________________________________

Scene 6: Sugar Daddy’s place: The Sugar Daddy introduces himself in his apartment.
Song 8: I Love it When They Hate It © G.Dantone 2016
(Sung by Sugar Daddy)
I’m a man of means, a man of class
I get respect, ‘cause I got the cash
I got this girl, I own her ass
She’s bought and paid for everyday
I wouldn’t have it another way 

You know I love it when they hate it
I like it when the fake it
I’d rather have them jaded
I love it when they hate it 

I don’t care what anyone thinks
I don’t care if your life stinks
She’s got my pleasures, works out my kinks
There isn’t anything she wouldn’t do
And if I told her she’d do it for you 

You know I love it when they hate it
I like it when the fake it
I’d rather have them jaded
I love it when they hate it

 When I was young I was told
Who would want Someone like me
So I made myself Into the man
That they said I could never be
So I made myself Into the man
That they said I could never be
So I made myself Into the man
That they said I could never be

I’m a man of means, a man of class
I get respect, ‘cause I got the cash
I got this girl, yeah I own her ass
She’s bought and paid for everyday
I wouldn’t have it another way 

You know I love it when they hate it
I like it when the fake it
I’d rather have them jaded
I love it when they hate it

_________________________________________________________

Scene 7a: Danielle’s apartment: The Son realizes she is self-destructive but Danielle does not want him to protect her from herself.  He tries to take her drugs from her and she is angry.
Song 9: I Know What I’m Doin’ © G. Dantone 2016
Sung by Danielle
Don’t tell me
Don’t help me
Don’t think that you can sell me
Just give me my stuff
|I know what I’m doin’
Don’t teach me
Don’t preach me
Don’t think that you can reach me
Just give me my stuff
I’m know what I’m doin
’Don’t fight me
Don’t right me
You’ll never satisfy me
Just leave me alone
I know what I’m doin’
Don’t save me
Don’t enslave me
Don’t need you to betray me
|Just leave me alone
I know what I’m doin’ 

All I know 
Is how to survive
All I know 
Is how to tell a lie
Don’t you say you know what’s good for me
If it gets me through the day
Who cares anyway?

Don’t mock me
Don’t stop me
Don’t think you can unlock me
I need my moment of peace
I know what I’m doin’ 

Don’t worry
I’m not sorry
What you feel is temporary
I need my moment of peace
I know what I’m doin’ 

Don’t you think
That I know the score
Don’t you think
One foot’s out the door

Don’t you say
You know what’s good for me
If it gets me through the day
Who cares anyway? 

Don’t tell me
Don’t help me
Don’t think that you can sell me
Just give me my stuff
I know what I’m doin’ 

Don’t teach me
Don’t preach me
Don’t think that you can reach me
Just give me my stuff
I’m know what I’m doin’

___________________________________________________________

Scene 7b: Danielle’s apartment:  This is his response: he promises this to her; he can only do right by her.
Song 10: Better Man © G.Dantone 2016
(Sung by the son)
I’ll be a better man, a better man for you
I won’t give you everything you might want me to
You’re free to love, free to hate, free to go, free to wait
You can do anything you want to do
I’ll be a better man, a better man for you 

I love you so much, I’d risk losing you
I can’t do nothin’, ‘cept what’s right by you
I won’t let you slide, get you high
Make you cry, let you die
Or leave you with nothing to lose
I’ll be a better man, a better man for you 

Now I can’t complain
About nothing anymore
This is my chance
I got something to die for 

I love you so much, I’d risk losing you
I can’t do nothin’ ‘cept what’s right by you
I won’t let you slide, get you high
Make you cry, let you die
Or leave you with nothing to lose
I’ll be a better man, a better man for you

 Look at these hands
Look at this face
It’s all for you

________________________________________________________________________

Scene 7c: Danielle’s apartment:  She still has questions.  She has never had anyone who did not betray her.  She asks him “Do you really love me?”
Song 11: Honestly © G. Dantone 2016
(Sung by Danielle)
Honestly, Honestly,
Do you really love me?
Are you thinking of me?
Honestly, Honestly,
Are you trying to use me?
You think you’ll seduce me?
You say the words
I long to hear
But are they true or insincere?
You want me to give it all away
Tonight, I need to know just where I stand
Tell me honestly 

Honestly, Honestly,
Do you really love me?
Do you think you’re above me?
Honestly, Honestly,
Do you really know me?
Or just want to own me?
You feel the heat
When you are near
Your touch is sweet
I feel the fear
When you had enough will you walk away?
Tonight, I’m asking who you think I am
Tell me honestly

Once, I had a dream
Where I was sure
I was at home
Now, it all seems
When we’re awake
We’re all alone

Once, I had a dream
Where I was sure
That I could fly
Now, it all seems
When we’re awake
Our dreams just die 

(Sung by the Son)
Honestly, Honestly,
I don’t know what love is,
Or the meaning of this
Honestly, Honestly,
Don’t know what I’m doing
I hope I’m not using
I’ve never said these words before
I’ve never hurt right to the core
I’m shaking with each step I take
If this is love, judge what I do
Do I make your dreams all come true?
Do I make you feel glad that you’re awake?
Tonight, and every night I have with you
I say this honestly,
Tonight, and every night I have with you
I say this honestly

_____________________________________________________________

Scene 8: Sugar Daddy’s apartment: Danielle asks him to go with her to her Sugar Daddy’s Place to end their relationship; instead when she gets there, she stays.  His world “goes black.”
Song 12: Man Enough © Gerry Dantone 2016
(Sung by the son)
I know I know nothing
Nothing at all
Except I come running
When you call
In some kind of fever
In some kind of pain
You need me to save you
You can’t explain 

You said, “I’m lost”
I said, “I’m here”
We still embrace
The things we fear 

Am I man enough for you?
Do I fill the emptiness?
Am I strong enough to take
Your unfaithfulness?
Am I man enough for you? 

You had to go settle
Some paid romance
Your past was calling you
I had no chance
I came down for cover
I had your back
You said you were staying
My world went black
You turned your back
Your eyes betray
To come this far
To end this way

Am I man enough for you?
Do I fill the emptiness?
Am I strong enough to take
Your unfaithfulness?
Am I man enough for you? 

Hey…
I’ll make it right for you
Hey…
Whatever I need to do
This time
We’ll break all the rules
This time, baby, this time… 

If silence could deafen
I’d hear no more
I saw you leaving
Through the door
My calls go unanswered
My life’s a sham
I look in the mirror
Is this who I am?
You said, “I’m lost”
I said, “I’m here”
We still embrace
The things we fear 

Am I man enough for you?
Do I fill the emptiness?
Am I strong enough to take
Your unfaithfulness?
Am I man enough for you?

_________________________________________________________

Scene 8b: Sugar Daddy’s apartment and the Son’s apartment: Danielle is forced by Sugar Daddy to leave a message on the Son’s voice mail telling him goodbye forever.  He hears it when he gets home and plays back the message.
Song 13: I’m No Good For You © G. Dantone 2016
(Sung by Danielle)
Fall baby, don’t fall for me
Call baby, don’t call on me
I told you once before when I laid down the law
This is not for me
Now Sugar Daddy’s back, and he’s going on attack
You are not for me
Love baby, just don’t love me
Dream baby, don’t dream of me
|You don’t understand, that you’ll never be the man
To satisfy my needs
You struggle everyday, guys like you will never pay
Your heart just bleeds 

I’m no good for you, you’re too good for me
It’s everything to you, it means nothing to me
I’m no good for you, you’re too good for me
It’s everything to you, it means nothing to me 

Cry baby, don’t cry for me
Try baby, don’t try with me
I’m wasting all my time, though I hate to be unkind
You’ll never do
Your future is lame, got no money to your name
I got a lot to lose

I’m no good for you, you’re too good for me
It’s everything to you, it means nothing to me
I’m no good for you, you’re too good for me
It’s everything to you, it means nothing to me 

What do you want from me?
What do you want?
Give this up
For a life with you
You

Live baby, don’t live for me
Give baby, don’t give to me
You did your good deed,
Now I got some things to feed
Get off my back
My man’s no fun, but he’s got a big gun
You don’t want that 

I’m no good for you, you’re too good for me
It’s everything to you, it means nothing to me
I’m no good for you, you’re too good for me
It’s everything to you, it means nothing to me

____________________________________________________________

 Scene 9: The Son’s apartment and Sugar Daddy’s apartment: The son resolves to do something about Danielle.  The son confronts her at her apartment; "tell me you don't love me" he asks; they embrace but at the end of the song, her Sugar Daddy comes in...
Song 14: Sleeping Alone (c) G. Dantone 2016
(Sung by the son & Danielle)
(Sung by the Son)
I was sleeping alone in my room
When the thought of you awoke me
I just had to see you
To face the real truth
I didn’t know what would happen

 (He arrives at her apartment)
(Sung by Danielle)
I was sleeping alone in my room
When a knock on the door awoke me
I was lost in a dream
About you and me
I didn’t know what would happen
(Sung by Danielle)
You don’t know what you’re doing
(Sung by the Son)
I know what I’d be losing
(Sung by Danielle)
If he comes back and you’re here
(Sung by Son)
I’ll face him, I’m not scared

(Sung by the Son)
Tell me to my face that you’re happy
Tell me to my face that it’s all good
Swear you really want to live this life
Do you really want to stick the knife
Put it deep into my heart
I can’t wait to play the part
Tell me to my face that you don’t love me
Tell me to my face you don’t care
Swear he makes you feel all good inside
He makes you glad to be alive
Or are you frozen to the core
No real feelings anymore?

Long ago, far away
Was a girl, who was afraid
She was lost, never found
She felt old, beyond her years
She was mad, without tears
She was lost, never found
(Sung by Danielle)
No one will ever
Get inside of me

(Sung by Danielle)
Long ago, far away
Was a boy, who was afraid
He was lost, never found
He felt old, beyond his years
He was mad, without tears
He was lost, but now he found
(Sung by the son)
Home is the road
We walk together

(Sugar Daddy suddenly arrives and sees them.)
 (Sung by the Son)
Tell her to her face that you love her
Tell her to her face that you care
Swear you’d give your life away
So she’d live another day
Or are you selfish to the core
Got no feelings anymore…

(Sugar Daddy pulls a gun out and shoots wildly; they embrace to protect each other; Sugar Daddy runs off.  Danielle sings.)(Sung by Danielle)
I was sleeping alone in a room
I was lost in a dream about you
Let me take you home, we’ll walk this road
You never know what might happen
(He dies in her arms.) 

Scene 10a:  Anywhere: Sometime later, and looking a little older, she’s at his grave
Song 15: One Day at a Time © 2016 G. Dantone
(Sung by Danielle)
I don't know
If it makes any sense
All I know is
I have this second chance
I can feel your hand in mine
I’ll make you proud
One day at a time 

My hands are clean
And my head is clear
This is for me
And it’s for you dear
I see your face in the window of my mind
I’ll make you proud
One day at a … 

Time,
Don’t make me forget about you
Time,
I’ll never be alone with you
Or grow old with you

Years go by
But it’s like yesterday
I may get lost
But I’ll find some other way
I hear your voice in a breeze it sounds so fine
I’ll make you proud
One day at a …

Time,
Don’t make me forget about you
Time,
I’ll never be alone with you
Or grow old with you

I don’t know
If it makes any sense
All I know
Is I have this second chance
I can feel your hand in mine
I’ll make you proud
One day at a time 

Scene 10b: Anywhere: Danielle, all alone.
Song 16: Forever © 2016 G. Dantone;
(Sung by Danielle) (The finale.)

I’ve lived so foolishly
I knew what I knew
Now truth is a mystery
And love is the clue

Time is illusion
It’s here and it’s gone
You think there’s an answer
But life goes on

Forever and ever
I’ll love you
Forever
The good days
The bad days
You’re in my heart
For always
Love is the warm embrace
Love is the saving grace
We need to show each other

Life is a veil of tears
We live ‘til we die
My dreams had disappeared
Until I opened my eyes 

Forever and ever
I’ll love you
Forever
The good days
The bad days
You’re in my heart
For always
Love is the warm embrace
Love is the saving grace
We need to help/teach/love each other

Forever and ever
I’ll love you
Forever
The good days
The bad days
You’re in my heart
For always
Love is the warm embrace
Love is the saving grace
We need to help each other

Forever and ever
I’ll love you
Forever
The good days
The bad days
You’re in my heart
For always
Love is the warm embrace
Love is the saving grace
We need to teach each other

Forever and ever
I’ll love you
Forever
The good days
The bad days
You’re in my heart
For always
Love is the warm embrace
Love is the saving grace
We need to love each other 

Now truth is a mystery
And love is the clue