A Rumor in St. Petersburg

Lyrics

[TOWNSPEOPLE] The Neva Flows, a new wind blows And soon it will be spring [GLEB, spoken] We hear you, comrades! The revolution hears you! Together, we will forge a new Russia that will be the envy of all the world! The Tsar's St. Petersburg is now the people's Leningrad! [DMITRY, spoken] They can call it Leningrad, but it will always be Petersburg.  New name, same empty stomachs.  (sung) They tell us times are better Well, I say they're not Can't cook an empty promise in an empty pot "A brighter day is dawning! It's almost at hand!" The skies are gray, the walls have ears And he who argues disappears! [DMITRY & TOWNSPEOPLE] Hail our brave new land! [TOWNSPEOPLE] St. Petersburg is booming A city on the rise [FIRST WOMAN] It's really very friendly [SECOND WOMAN] If you don't mind spies! [FIRST MAN] We stand behind our leaders [SECOND MAN] And stand in line for bread [TOWNSPEOPLE] We're good and loyal comrades And our favorite color's red! [DMITRY] Now everyone is equal Professors push the brooms [DMITRY & ENSEMBLE] Two-dozen total strangers live in two small rooms! You hold a revolution And here's the price you pay Thank goodness for the gossip [MEN] Спасибо за слухи! [TOWNSPEOPLE] Thank goodness for the gossip That gets us through the day! Hey! Have you heard There's a rumor in St. Petersburg? Have you heard What they're saying on the street? [BASS SOLO] Although the Tsar did not survive One daughter may be still alive [TOWNSPEOPLE] The Princess Anastasia! [BASS SOLO] But please do not repeat! [TOWNSPEOPLE] It's a rumor, a legend, a mystery Something whispered in an alleyway Or through a crack It's a rumor that's part of our history [WOMAN] They say her royal grandmama will pay a royal sum [TOWNSPEOPLE] To someone who can bring the Princess back [VLAD, spoken] Dmitry! They've closed another border.  We should've gotten out of Russia while we still could! (sung) St. Petersburg was lovely when royalty was in I called myself a Count as though I'd always been I hobnobbed with the royals, but then a change of luck The Tsar was dead, the royals fled And comrade, now we're stuck! [DMITRY, spoken] Vlad! I've been thinking about the Princess Anastasia.  [VLAD, spoken] Oh, not you too, Dmitry! [DMITRY] It's the rumor, the legend, the mystery It's the Princess Anastasia who will help us fly You and I, friend, will go down in history We'll find a girl to play the part and teach her what to say Dress her up and take her to Paris [VLAD] Imagine the reward her dear old grandmama would pay! [DMITRY & VLAD] Who else could pull it off but you and me? [ANYA, spoken] No! [GLEB, spoken] It was a truck backfiring, comrade. That's all it was.  Those days are over, neighbor against neighbor. There's nothing to be afraid of anymore.&nbps: You're shaking. There's a tea shop just steps from here Let me— [ANYA, spoken] Thank you.  [GLEB, spoken] What's your hurry? [ANYA, spoken] I can't lose this job. They're not easy to come by. But thank you.  [GLEB, spoken] I'm here every day! [MAN] A ruble for this painting It's Romanov, I swear! [MAN 2] Count Yusupov's pajamas, comrade Buy the pair! [MAN 3] I found this in a palace Initialed with an "A" It could be Anastasia's! Now what will someone pay? [DMITRY, spoken] We need something of hers to show the old lady.  How much is that music box? [SALESMAN, spoken] Ah, the music box! It's genuine Romanov, I could never part with it! [DMITRY, spoken] Two cans of beans, comrade? [SALESMAN, spoken] Done.  [DMITRY, spoken] Do you believe in fairytales, Vlad? [VLAD, spoken] Once upon a time, I did.  [DMITRY, spoken] We're going to create a fairytale the whole world will believe! (sung) Now it's risky, but not more than usual We'll need papers, we'll need tickets, we'll need nerves of steel [VLAD] Yes, it's risky, a lot more than usual [DMITRY] We'll try to cross the border with our princess and our plot [VLAD] Hopefully disaster won't ensue [DMITRY] With luck, it all goes smoothly [VLAD] And with luck, we won't be shot [DMITRY & VLAD] Who else could pull it off but me and you? [DMITRY] We'll be rich! [VLAD] We'll be rich! [DMITRY] We'll be out! [VLAD] We'll be out! [DMITRY & VLAD] And St. Petersburg will have some more to talk about! [TOWNSPEOPLE] I heard it from a person (I heard it from a person) I heard it from a person who (A person who) Assured me it was absolutely true Shh! Have you heard There's a rumor in St. Petersburg? Have you heard? Comrade, what do you suppose? [VLAD] A fascinating mystery [DMITRY] The biggest con in history! [DMITRY, VLAD & TOWNSPEOPLE] The princess Anastasia Alive or dead? Who knows? Shh!