Something Just Broke

Lyrics

[HOUSEWIFE] I was out In the yard Taking down the bed sheets When my neighbor yelled across: [VOICE, spoken] "The President's been shot." [HOUSEWIFE] I remember where I was Just exactly where I was In the yard out back— [VOICE, spoken] "The President's been shot." [OFFICE CLERK] I was getting me a shoeshine— [HOUSEWIFE] —Folding sheets— [CLERK] —When I heard— [LADY] We were waiting for a carriage— [CLERK] —Newsboys— [LADY] Suddenly there's shouting in the street— [HOUSEWIFE] —Lizzie's sheet [VOICE, spoken] "The President's been shot." [LADY] I'll remember it forever— [HOUSEWIFE] And I thought: [CLERK & LADY] —Where I was, what I was doing— [HOUSEWIFE] Something just broke [VOICE, spoken] "The President's been shot." [MAN, spoken] My God—! [FARMER] I was up near the ridge Plowing— [FACTORY HAND] We were working at the plant [SCHOOLTEACHER] I was halfway through Correcting the exams— [FARMER] —When my wife— [FACTORY HAND] It was Mike— [FARMER] —She comes tearing 'cross the field [FACTORY HAND] —Mike the foreman— [SCHOOLTEACHER] In runs Billy— [FACTORY HAND] I mean, he was crying— [SCHOOLTEACHER] He was crying— [FARMER] She was crying— [SCHOOLTEACHER, FARMER, & FACTORY HAND] I'll remember it forever... [HOUSEWIFE] And I thought: [VOICE, spoken] "The President's been shot." [HOUSEWIFE] You know what? There are Presidents who aren't worth a lot [SCHOOLTEACHER, FARMER, & FACTORY HAND] I kept thinking: [HOUSEWIFE] There's the kind that gets elected, then forgot [FARMER & HOUSEWIFE] Mr. Garfield— [SCHOOLTEACHER] Mr. Lincoln— [FARMER & HOUSEWIFE] —He's a hack [FACTORY HAND & HOUSEWIFE] Bill McKinley— [SCHOOLTEACHER] —He's a giant [FACTORY HAND & HOUSEWIFE] —He's a joke [HOUSEWIFE] Still, something just broke [VOICE, spoken] "The President is rallying." "The President is sinking." "The President is dead." [HOUSEWIFE] Something just broke [STOCKBROKER] I was down at the Exchange... [HOUSEWIFE] Something just made a little dent [LADY] I'd been shopping... [OLD MAN] I'd been sick... [HOUSEWIFE] Something just broke— [PAWNBROKER] All I know, it was a Friday... [HOUSEWIFE] —Only for a moment [OTHERS] I remember it exactly... [HOUSEWIFE] Something got bent [WAITRESS] I'm taking the order— [HOUSEWIFE] Something just left a little mark [SCHOOLBOY] I was getting dressed... [WOMAN 2] —Two potato soups... [HOUSEWIFE] Something just went a little dark Something just went [OTHERS] And I wondered: I was scared of What would follow [HOUSEWIFE] Something to be mended [STOCKBROKER] Made me wonder who we are... [HOUSEWIFE] Something we'll have to weather— [GENTLEMAN] It was seeing all those torches... [HOUSEWIFE] Bringing us all together— [POLICEMAN] He was me... [MINISTER] He was us... [HOUSEWIFE] —If only for a moment... [OTHERS] I'll remember it forever... [HOUSEWIFE] Nothing has really ended [OTHERS] Where I was, what I was doing... [HOUSEWIFE] Only just been suspended [OTHERS] Like a flash... [HOUSEWIFE] 'Cause something just stirred [OTHERS, variously] And I thought— And I thought to myself— And I thought [HOUSEWIFE] Something just woke [OTHERS] And I thought— I kept thinking [ALL] Something just spoke Something I wish I hadn't heard Something bewildering occurred Fix it up fast Please— Till it's just smoke Till it's only something just passed— —Nothing that will last Where I was, what I was doing Nothing but the moment Just an awful moment [HOUSEWIFE] But something just—