Four O’Clock

Lyrics

[ENSEMBLE] Four o'clock It will soon be four [IRINA, spoken] Umfundisi! [STEPHEN, spoken] Yes, Irina? [IRINA, spoken] Mother has fallen asleep. She meant to sit and watch with you at this hour, and she has been awake 'til only now, but now she sleeps.  [STEPHEN, spoken] We won't wake her, Irina. If she sleeps and the hour goes past, then at least it will be past.  [IRINA, spoken] Even in her sleep she reaches for my hand.  [STEPHEN, spoken] Sit beside her, Irina, if you can.  [IRINA, spoken] Yes, I can.  [STEPHEN, spoken] My daughter, I'm glad he found you and not some other.  [IRINA, spoken] I'm glad he found me, my father.  [ENSEMBLE] Four o'clock It will soon be four [LEADER] Why do they choose the morning The morning, when men sleep sound? [ENSEMBLE] Four o'clock It will soon be four [STEPHEN, spoken] If thеy would kill me instead, Absalom would make a good man. But it will nеver be. He is waiting now. Sleep, oh Mother. Sleep sound. Soon Absalom will sleep.