Play On

Lyrics

[FUNERAL PROCESSION INSTRUMENTAL] [CHILDREN] They say, "if music be the food of love, play on" [FESTE] One, two, a one, two, three, four [FESTE & ORSINO] If music be the food of love Play on [ALL] Play on [FESTE & ORSINO] If music be the food of love [ALL] Play on [FESTE] Bliss and misery Let them wail in harmony Even when it seems all hope is gone Play on [ALL] Play on [FESTE & OTHERS] If music be the food of love Play on [ALL] Play on [FESTE & OTHERS] If music be the food of love [ALL] Play on [FESTE] Blow that horn and start a riot Till my eardrums need a diet Till my heartbeat starts to hop [ORSINO] Oh I can't take it no more Stop [pause] [ORSINO] No, play on (VIOLA enters, sopping wet, barefoot and covered in seaweed) (spoken) [VIOLA] What country, friend, is this? [FESTE] This is Illyria, lady! [VIOLA] And what should I do in Illyria? (sung) [VIOLA] Sebastian Have you seen my brother? My twin brother Sebastian? Did he swim to shore too? The storm hit our ship so quick Next thing I knew, it split in two Did he drown? Or did I? Is this where you go when you die? Illyria Who governs here in Illyria? [ILLYRIETTES] Poor Orsino! Our lovesick Duke Poor Orsino! [ILLYRIAN MOM, spoken] What a stud! [KID, spoken] Ew, puke! [ORSINO] The lady won't love me back No, no, the lady won't love me back She passed me by so proudly It's killing me loudly The lady won't love me back How can I get the lady to love me back? Oh-oh-Olivia [VIOLA] Who's Olivia? [ALL] Poor Olivia! Our grief-stricken Countess [VIOLA] Who died? [ALL] Her brother [VIOLA] Her brother [OLIVIA] Everyone says "Move on, Olivia You've got to play on, Olivia" But it feels like my heart's withdrawn [OLIVIA & VIOLA] How will I ever play on? (spoken) [VIOLA] Oh, that I served that lady! [ILLYRIETTE] Yeah, the odds of that are slim to none [ILLYRIETTE] Olivia won't see anyone [ILLYRIETTE] But Orsino's hiring! [VIOLA] I'll apply! [FESTE] He only hires men [ILLYRIETTE] Never mind then [ILLYRIETTE] Good luck! [ILLYRIETTES] Bye! (sung) [VIOLA] My brother is the one who knows what to do Where would he go in my shoeless shoes? Well, what if I went into his instead? Get this job, get fed, a roof over my head A bastion of security 'Til Sebastian is returned to me Or they find him under the sea O disguise, let them see What kind of man I gotta be! (VIOLA runs offstage) [ALL] If music be the food of love, play on If music be the food of love, play on Play my pain, play my woe 'Til my joy begins to grow Clap your hands, start to sway 'Til your worries melt away (VIOLA re-enters, now dressed as a man, and joins the celebration) [VIOLA] Be a man among men 'Til my soul is whole again [ALL] 'Til our agony be gone Play on! [ORSINO & VIOLA] Play on! [ALL] Play on! [ORSINO & VIOLA] Play on! [ALL] Play on! [VIOLA] Play on