The Sad Tale of the Beauxhommes

Lyrics

(Papa Ge cackles and vanishes offstage. Lights come up on Mama Euraile, holding one of the viewers and the frightened Little Girl.) [STORYTELLER (MAMA), spoken] Ti Moune had promised her soul, pledged her life for this pale mulatto boy. But, can you guess what's next? [STORYTELLER 8 (ARMAND)] The Sad Tale of the Beauxhommes (Buh-zome). A history lesson! [STORYTELLER (MAMA), spoken] The boy's name was Daniel Beauxhomme. A boy from another world The first person. A person descended for the French! [MEN] Some say... Some say... Some say... Some say... [WOMEN] Some say... Some say... Some say... Some say... [STORYTELLER] Four generations past In the time of Napoleon There came to this island A Frenchman, Armand [All] Armand! [ARMAND] Armand! [STROYTELLER] And he built a great fortune And he built a grand mansion And he wed a fine lady So pale and so blonde [MADAME ARMAND] Armand! [MADAME ARMAND] But Armand took his pleasure With the women who served him Black peasant girls from The village beyond [TWO WOMEN] Armand! [STORYTELLER] And the loveliest one Bore the Frenchman a son Such a fine peasant son [ARMAND] For Armand! [WOMAN] A beautiful child The pale color of coffee mixed with cream [ALL] The beautiful one, the beautiful son Beauxhomme [STORYTELLER] They named him: [ALL] Beauxhomme The beautiful one, the beautiful son Beauxhomme [STORYTELLER] And the boy grew to be a man And the great war began [ALL] Blacks fought against French And the hated Napoleon They fought for their island And finally won [Men (Not Armand)] We Won! We Won! [BEAUXHOMME] We Won! [BEAUXHOMME] And Armand sailed for France By the seat of his pants Driven out by his beautiful son! [ALL] The beautiful One The beautiful Son Beauxhomme, Beauxhomme [BEAUXHOMME] What was his is now mine! The Beautiful One The beautiful Son Beauxhomme! [BEAUXHOMME] Beauxhomme! [STORYTELLERS] But Armand left behind a terrible, terrible curse I curse my son [ARMAND] I curse my only son! [STORYTELLERS] I curse his sons [ARMAND] All of his sons! [STORYTELLERS] Generations [ARAMAND] All Beauxhomme yet unborn! [STORYTELLERS] In advance [ARMAND] Your black blood will keep you forever on this island... While your hearts yearn forever for France! [STORYTELLERS] The unlucky one, the unlucky son Beauxhomme, Beauxhomme From bad blood to worse The name of the curse: Beauxhomme The despise us for our blackness It reminds them where they're from The sad, sad tale Of the Beauxhomme! Beauxhomme! [TI MOUNE] Tonton, he needs me! Without me, he'll die! [MAMA] He will not want you, Ti Moune! [TI MOUNE] Please, Mama. Please Tonton Give me your blessing and let me go. I will go to him!