#JCS lyrics

[mememusical]

Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) Starters

"This Jesus Must Die"

Locations & names have been removed, so make sure to fill them in! Swap pronouns as necessary!

Good (name), the Council waits for you.

Ah, gentlemen, you know why we are here.

We've not much time, and quite a problem here.

Listen to that howling mob of blockheads in the street.

The whole town's on its feet.

He is dangerous!

A rabble-rousing mission that I think we must abort.

Look, (name), they're right outside our yard!

No, wait!

We need a more permanent solution to our problem.

What then to do about (name) of (place)?

No riots, no army, no fighting, slogans.

One thing I'll say for him, (name) is cool.

We dare not leave him to his own devices.

His half-witted fans will get out of control.

How can we stop him?

His glamour increases by leaps every minute.

He's top of the pole.

I see bad things arising!

I see blood and destruction!

Our elimination because of one man.

Blood and destruction because of one man.

Where do we start with a man who is bigger than (name)?

Fools, you have no perception!

The stakes we are gambling are frighteningly high!

We must crush him completely!

So like (name), this (person) must die!

For the sake of the nation, this (name) must die!

[sweetsouldhavernas]

When the night is dark and stormy You won't have to reach out for me I will come to you Oh, I will come to you

[dasecretnebula]

“It started out with a kiss

How did it end up like this?

It was only a kiss

It was only a kiss!”

- Judas Iscariot

[notmoreflippingelves]

It's dawned on me suddenly

And for no obvious reason

That I can't go on

Living as I am.

[draculalunch]

alex turner and julian casablancas about words and music.

jools holland interview 2022 / where no eagles fly by the voidz / brooklyn bridge to chorus by the strokes

[fortjester]

partner in crime by lucy dacus / harrow the ninth by tamsyn muir / judas' death from jesus christ superstar / lovefool by the cardigans / nona the ninth by tamsyn muir

[idontwanttospoiltheparty]

Hello Fiona! What is your opinion on In My Life being about Paul?

Hi anon!

I'm like a semi-contrarian about this, but also Not Really.

What we know about In My Life is that John both described it as a really personal song and also didn't really elaborate on what the lyrics meant, electing instead to provide the backstory. It could mean he was being specifically cagey about the song's subject but I also get the feeling he was just a bit pissed the entire time he was doing his song rundown for Playboy 1980 lol – which is understandable IMO; he probably would have preferred to talk more about his newer music than going over songs from 15 years ago again.

Now, given the timeline of when the song was written, I've always seen three possible candidates for who it's about: Paul, Cynthia, and my personal pet theory: Julian.

At this point, I do kind of think Paul is the most likely subject of the song, though I'm not sure that's entirely rational on my part. Partly it's the I Know (I Know) lyrical connection (a song I am pretty much 100% on the Paul train for); partly it would make sense that, if Stu and Pete are also being referenced in the song, it would be natural for John to draw a comparison between them and Paul, his current best friend. A thing I find interesting in this context (and the Julian context) is that the song isn't necessarily speaking to a romantic love interest. It certainly could be (and I do tend to think John came to think of Paul that way at some point if not necessarily by 1965 already) but it also might not. Especially when you consider the "acid mindset", which John was getting acquainted with at the time: romanticizing your friendship with your artistic partner could slot into that perfectly, without any of it necessarily being sexually-tinged (or without one having to admit to oneself that it is sexually-tinged).

As for Cynthia, it's absolutely fascinating to me (in a bad way) that she is not commonly held to be the subject of the song. In My Life is a love song, but scholarship seems to stop listening after the first minute. I don't think this is because the song intrinsically can't be about her, I think this just speaks to how egregiously the JohnandYoko narrative (or even the JohnandPaul narrative, in these circles) dominates discussions. It would certainly make sense for John not to want to admit this song might've been for the wife he mistreated by 1980. This emotional letter John wrote Cyn is from just around the time the song was written, meaning it wouldn't be unthinkable for him to in a sense "renew his vows to her" in form of this song.

Which brings me to the Julian theory, that sort of combines all the points I made above. On the one hand, the song isn't explicitly romantic, and I think the line "When I think of love as something new" makes a lot of sense referring to parenthood. Plus, "But of all these friends and lovers" could also suggest that the you is neither a friend, nor a lover. And the letter I linked above is actually mostly about John feeling regretful about how he's not been around for Julian. "I think it’s been a slow process my feeling like a real father!" he writes, more than 2 years after his son was born, which IMO would make sense of this song coming so "late", if it were for Julian. And again I imagine John would not cop to it in 1980, as he wouldn't for Cyn or Paul.

On the whole, I think I find Paul slightly more likely, but to be honest, that might just be bias on my part, so I don't commit to it fully, and I think the other readings are very interesting at least. In My Life as a song from a parent to a child is wonderful!

[maikhiwi00]

jcs 2012 + fave lyrics

[owlpuddle]

Tim Rice when he's writing the lyric "take my blues as read:"

[circusbythesea]

in the artist's studio

[jedas]

Jesus on the cross (“Sun Bleached Flies”, Ethel Cain)

discuss

[oof-i-did-it-agaaiiin]

Musicals doomed by the Narrative

Uranium Suite - Ride the Cyclone // West Side Story (1961) // Another National Anthem - Assassins // West Side Story (2021) // Road to Hell (Reprise) - Hadestown // Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) // Trial Before Pilate - Jesus Christ Superstar // Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier // Road to Hell (Reprise) - Hadestown // Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier // It's Not A Game/It's Just A Ride - Ride the Cyclone

[deepwoundvivisection]

Judas’ Death from Jesus Christ Superstar

[unimportant-ramblings]

I'm so sorry guys I know that everyone knows this here but the rhetoric of "alw is closing Phantom Broadway for Bad Cinderella" will in fact kill me

[raskti]

The 2005 Swedish Jcs production

So, between Ola Salo's translation and the 1972 Swedish translation of Jesus Christ Superstar, came this translation by Oskar Bly (who played Jesus in this production, and also directed it). It was produced in the Maximteatern in Stockholm.

There aren't many clips online from it but I will link them and provide some pretty mid english translations for them. Most of the news segements I can find are also locked behind a pay wall, but the following and the last picture are from Anders Ekborgs website where two articles on the show exists.

More below (long post, lots of lyrics)

Judas in this production was played by Ander Ekborg, who is known for his role as Freddie in the Swedish version of Chess. and here's a snippet from an interview about the show that he took part in:

"Im thinking about the prerequisite for life, actually. But it's like a life force, one of our big ones that drives one to both evil and good. [...] The very word traitor, the greek word for traitor is mentioned only once in the bible - in the correct translation. Otherwise, he is called (the handover) or (the giver) all the time. So the word traitor is really like not speaking about Judas. It is God that has choosen him to be the one to hand him over, so to speak. [...] He is absolutely necessary for God's work, for it to be that way there has to be someone that has that role. Exactly like a theatre performance there has to be someone with the villain and it- otherwise it's not exciting, it won't be a good story that people can really relate to."

First of: Heaven on their minds / Ditt folk har du förlett

Det börjar klarna nu Jag äntligen ser Ja, det är klart Ja det är helt uppenbart Om man plockar bort Hans myt från hans namn Drabbas vi av vårt folks raseri Jesus! Du tror på människors prat Och ännu mer - genant Din stackare du tror Ditt snack om gud är sant Allt bra som du har gjort Blir glömt och gömt i jord men folket dyrkar din person mer än dina ord Hör på mig Jesus, Det är nog nu, säg nej allt jag vill är att du lyssnar till mig kom ihåg det, jag var din bästa vän i allt vi gjort Din stjärna kommer falla Du är ju messias för dem alla Om du sviker dem får du det svårt Du var ingen Gud från början, minsann Nej, för oss så var du bara en man Minns, jag säger det, Jag har beundrat allt vad du har gjort Men varje ord du säger nu Förvränger dem - betänkt det du Om du sviker dem får du det svårt Nasaret, din store son borde hålla sig ifrån frälsar jobb och stanna kvar hos snickar far göra bänkar och sånt där det är en hederlig affär ingen skada hade skett om du hade rätt Kan du strunta i vår situation? Kom ihåg vi har ju ockupation Rom är stort och starkt vi är ett litet folk som sitter trångt Jag är rädd, jag är beklämd Jag vet att snart tar folket hämnd Om vi går ett enda steg för långt Om vi går för långt! Lyssna Jesus, innan allting är slut Vi vill leva, men för varje minut Minskar chansen här Se folket tillbe dig i vild extas! Ja, ditt folk har du förlett Himmlasyner har dem sett Det var vackert men nu är det sent Snart är allt försent! Lyssna Jesus, Innan allting är slut Hatet minskar nu för varje minut Lyssna Jesus, Innan allt är försent Jag varnar dig Snart är allting försent Snart är allt försent

English translation:

It’s getting clearer now I finally see Yes, it is clear Yes, it’s quite obvious If you pick/strip away His myth from his name We'll suffer our people's rage Jesus! You believe people’s talk And even more - embarrassing You poor thing you believe Your talk of God is true All good that you have done Will be forgotten and hidden in dirt But the people worship your person more than your words Hear me out, Jesus It’s enough now, say no All I want is that you listen to me Remember that, I was your best friend in all we have done Your star will fall You are the Messiah for them all If you let them down then you will have it hard You were no God from the beginning, indeed/ No, for us you were only a man Remember, that I say it, I have admired all that you’ve done But every word you say now Distorts them - bear that in mind/think of that If you let them down then you’ll have it hard Nazareth your great son Should keep away from Saviour jobs and stay at his carpenter dad Make benches and stuff like that It’s an honourable affair No damage would have been done If you were right Can you ignore our situation? Remember, we have been occupied Rome is big and strong We’re a small people who sit tight I am afraid, I am distressed I know that soon the people will take revenge If we go a single step too far If we go too far! Listen, Jesus, before it all ends We want to live but for every minute the chance lessens here See the people worship you in wild ecstasy! Yes, you have led your people astray Heavenly visions have they seen It was beautiful but now it’s late Soon it will all be too late! Listen, Jesus, before everything ends The hate is now diminishing with every minute Listen, Jesus, Before it’s too late I’m warning you Soon everything will be too late Soon it will all be too late!

Gethsemane / I Gethsemane

Så ber jag dig i nöd Inför den väg jag sökt Lyft din bittra kalk ifrån mig För jag vill inte smaka giftet Som redan bränner Här i mig Jag har tappat bort, vem jag var förut Jag brann klar som ljus och nu är lågan slut Trots jag gjorde mer än rätt i tre års handling Blev allt som trettio Ska jag plågas Kan du önska mer Från någon annan man Men om jag dör Ska jag då se sagan slut Och tvingas ned på knä Ska jag såras och bespottas, spikas fast på trä Jag vill förstå, jag vill förstå min gud Vill förstå, jag vill förstå min gud Måste se, måste jag förstå, Måste se, jag måste se min gud Om jag dör är det då på ditt bud? Om jag dör är det då på ditt bud? Ber om svar, jag ber om svar, min gud, jag ber om svar Varför ska jag dö? Säg! Okej, jag dör, Se på, jag dör! Jag brann klar som ljus Och nu är lågan slut Min saga blev till tre års handling Men känns som nittio Så varför är jag rädd för slutet? Som jag valde, som du valde Jag valde aldrig Gud din viljas kraft Har jag aldrig hört, Jag ska tömma genom kalket Sätt mig på ditt kors Och knäck mig Bara slå mig Förblöd mig Döda mig! Men ta mig nu Om evigt liv är död!

English translation:

So I beg of you in need, Before the path I sought Lift your bitter chalice from me Because I don’t want to taste the poison That already burns here within me I have lost, who I was before I burned bright like a candle And now the flame is over Although I did more than right in three years of action Turned out like thirty Shall I be tormented, Could you wish for more from any other man? But if I die, Shall I see then see the end of the story? And be forced to my knees Shall I be hurt and reviled Nailed to a tree I want to understand, I want to understand my God Want to see, I want to understand my God Have to see, I have to understand, Have to see, I have to see my God If I die is it at your behest? /bid If I die is it at your behest? /bid Begging for an answer, I’m begging for an answer My God, I beg for answers Why should I die? Say! Okay, I’ll die Look on, I’ll die! I burned bright like a candle But now the flame is over My story turned into three years of action But feels like ninety So, why am I scared of the end That I chose, that you chose I never chose! God, the power of your will I have never heard I will empty through the chalice Put me on a cross, and break me, Just hit me Bleed me Kill me! But take me now, If eternal life is death!

Mary Magdalene was played by Jenny Silver, a Swedish singer who participated a few times in Mello and was the lead singer in the band Holder, and who is now a train driver.

I don't know how to love him / Vad vet jag om kärlek?

Vad vet jag nu om kärlek Vad kan jag ge som berör han? Denna man, som ändrat mig Jag känner inte igen mig själv, Sen han såg vem jag är Hur tar jag då emot det, Varför rör han vid mitt hjärta Han är man, bara en man Och män det har jag haft förut Men inte nån som han, Som stannar kvar Ska jag ge mig av, Dölja mina kval Ska jag släppa ut All min längtan djup Jag trodde aldrig kärlek var nått som gjorde ont Ändå är det nått ironiskt Med hela situationen Här har jag, som aldrig var Så kall, så trygg, för kärlek skygg Rört vid kärleken, Han skrämmer mig Jag trodde aldrig kärlek var nått som gjorde ont Så även om det blivit vad skulle jag då göra? Ska jag ge upp, min lilla dröm För vad ska flickan från gatan ge till mannen som har allt? Som skrämmer mig Min dröm är så, jag älskar dig

English translation:

What do I know about love now? What can I give that concerns him? This man, who changed me I don’t recognize myself, since he saw who I am How do I take it, Why does he touch my heart? He is a man, just a man And men, I’ve had that before But no one like him, that stays, Should I leave, Hide my anguish Should I let out All my deep yearning? I never thought love was something that hurts Still, it’s somewhat ironic with this whole situation Here I am, who never was so cold, so safe, shy of love, Touched by love He frightens me I never thought that love was something that hurts So even if it has become that what should I do then? Should I give up, my little dream, for what can the girl from the street give to the man who has it all? Who scares me My dream is such, I love you

The last supper / Den sista måltiden

[Apostlar] Se nu våra sorger och beskymmer Sjunker i en bägare med vin inget stör oss nu, vi förstår nu svaren och förbrödas här i kvällens harmoni Jag drömde alltid om att bli apostel Vet jag lyckas dit många vill nå Sen när vi gått bort ska vi skrivas gospels Så att människor minns oss alla och vårt mod [Jesus] Mitt slut är hårdare, då vänner bär på skulden till min död För vad ni vill Är vinet nu mitt blod för vad ni vill Är brödet nu min kropp Till slut Drick nu det blod jag ger Ta min lekamen* och ät Så ni ska minnas mig Sedan den dag jag dör Jag måste vart galen som tror ni ska minnas Jag måste vart helt ur slag Se nu på er själva, mitt namn är värt inget För er i vår imorgondag En mig ska förneka, och en av er förråder mig, yeah, yay Petrus du förnekar mig om några timmar Tre gånger du nekar! Och värre ska det bli En av er som äter, en av mina valda Vill mig nu förråda [Judas] Lägg av med ditt skitsnack Du vet mycket väl vem [Jesus] Spring då iväg, gör det! [Judas] Du vill att jag gör det? [Jesus] Skynda för dem väntar [Judas] Om du visste varför jag gör det- [Jesus] Jag vill inte ha det skälet [Judas] Tänkt att jag dig älskat, dig som jag nu avskyr! [Jesus] Du ljuger, du Judas [Judas] Du vill att jag gör det! Tänk om jag då stannar kvar och ändrar på förloppet Som du planerat! [Jesus] Dåre du spring, skynda dig gå Lämna mig ensam, jag hör icke på Gå, Gå! [Apostlar] Se hur våra sorger och beskymmer Vi sjunker i en bägare med vin Vad var det för bröd? Jag blir yr och hög I vår kväll som skulle vara lugn och fin Drömmer var att en gång bli apostel Vet att jag har vandrat dit många vill gå Sen när vi gått bort ska det skrivas gospels Så att människors minns oss alla och vårt mål [Judas] Du knäckte lille man Se var du tagit oss Nu idealen faller och du vill att vi slåss? Så är det värsta utav allt Nåns lott är att förråda dig som en vanlig enkel tjuv Eller sårat kreatur En sprucken Gudabild Som duger inget till Lik en fallen svagsint ömkad frälsare Är det vad du vill? [Jesus] Ge dig av, dem väntar Ge dig av! Dem väntar så går då Dem väntar på dig! [Judas] Varje gång jag ser på dig så frågar jag mig Varför blev det du gjort och sagt Nu plötsigt går fel? Varför fick jag aldrig kunna hjälpa dig? Woah oh oh oh- [Apostlar] Se hur våra sorger och beskymmer Sjunker i en bägare med vin Inget stör oss nu och vi söker svaren I vår kväll som skulle varit lugn och fin Drömmen var att en gång bli apostel Vet jag fått det många män vill få Sen när vi gått bort ska det skrivas gospels Så att människor minns oss alla och vårt mål

English translation:

[Apostles] See now our sorrows and troubles, Sink into a goblet of wine Nothing disturbs us now, we understand the answers now And are united here in the evenings' harmony I always dreamed of being an apostle Know that I have reached where many want to go Then when we are gone, we will write the Gospels So that people will remember all of us and our courage / [Jesus] My end is harder, As friends bear the blame of my death For what you want Is this wine now my blood For what you want Is this bread now my body At last, Now drink the blood I give Take my body and eat So you shall remember me From the day I die I must’ve been crazy to think you will remember I must have been completely out of sorts Now look at yourselves My name will be worth nothing for you tomorrow One of you shall deny me and one of you betray me (Yeah, Yay) Peter, you’ll deny me in a few hours Three times you’ll deny! And it will get worse One of you who is eating, One of my chosen Wants to now betray me [Judas] Cut it with your bullshit You know very well who [Jesus] Then run away, do it [Judas] You want me to do it? [Jesus] Hurry for they are waiting [Judas] If you knew why I do it- [Jesus] I don’t want that reason [Judas] To think that I loved you, You who I despise now! [Jesus] You’re lying, you Judas [Judas] You want me to do it? What if stay then, And changed the course you’ve planned! [Jesus] Run you fool. Hurry up, go! Leave me alone, I’m not listening Go, Go! [Apostles] See how our sorrows and troubles We sink into a goblet of wine What kind of bread was that? I get dizzy and high In our evening that should have been calm and nice The dream was to one day be an apostle Know that I have walked where many want to walk Then when we are gone, the gospels will be written So that people remember us and our goals [Judas] You broken little man Look where you got us Now the ideals fall and you want us to fight? And the worst of it all, Someone's fate is to betray you Like an ordinary simple thief Or wounded animal A cracked image of God Who is good for nothing Like a fallen feeble-minded pitied saviour Is that what you want? [Jesus] Go away, they’re waiting Go away! They’re waiting, so go They are waiting for you! [Judas] Every time I look at you, I ask myself Why did what you did and say now suddenly go wrong? Why was I never able/allowed to help you? Woah, oh oh oh- [Apostles] Look how our sorrows and troubles Sink into a goblet filled with wine Nothing bothers us now, and we seek the answers In our evening that should have been calm and nice The dream was to one day become an apostle I know I got what many men want to get Then when we are gone, the gospels will be written So that people remember all of us and our goals

Simon the Zealot - Poor Jerusalem / Simon Zeloten - Min stad Jerusalem

[Simon och folket] Kristus dig vi följer när och var som helst  Ja jag tror på dig och Gud så säg att jag är frälst.  [Folket] Jesus jag är med dig. Rör mig rör mig Jesus. [Simon] Jesus vad mer vill du se för att veta, Att du segrar och leder oss idag Mot det pack från Rom som invaderat  Terroriserar våra liv, vårt land, vår lag? [Folket] Kristus dig vi följer när och var som helst Ser du att jag vinkar nu, så säg att jag är frälst [Simon] Simon är med dig! [Folket] Jesus jag är med Dig, rör mig Jesus. Jesus du är min idol, rör mig Jesus. [Simon] Här är över femtiotusen Som sjunger av dyrkan till dig Var och en av femtiotusen Gör allt du ber om, bara säg. Så låt de sjunga ut i lovord Men ge de mod att gå mot Rom! Seger där och Du växer större  Så hela världen blir din tron [Simon och folket] För du ska ha makten och all äran. För evigt i all tid och alltid. För du ska ha makten och all äran. För evigt i all tid och alltid.

För du ska ha makten och all äran. För evigt i all tid och alltid. Amen! [Jesus] Varken du Simon eller femtiotusen Varken judar eller Rom Inte Judas, mina tolv eller någon farisé  Ej ens Jerusalem du land som dömts Kan förstå vad makten är Kan förstå vad ära är Ingen kan förstå, kan förstå något alls Om Du såg allt det jag ser min stad Jerusalem Då såg du att vi lever i en lögn I din tid blir plågorna svåra min stad Jerusalem  För att besegra döden måste du... bli villig nu att dö.

English translation:

[Simon and the people] Christ, we follow you anytime and anywhere Yes, I believe in you and God, so tell me that I’m saved [The people] Jesus, I am with you Touch me, touch me, Jesus [Simon] Jesus what more do you want to see, to know that you’re victorious and leading us today Against the pack from Rome that invaded Terrorizing our lives, our country, our law? [People] Christ, we follow you anytime and anywhere Do you see me wave now? Then say that I am saved [Simon] Simon is with you! [People] Jesus, I am with you, touch me, touch me, Jesus Jesus you are my idol, touch me, touch me, Jesus [Simon] Here there are over fifty thousand Who sing in worship of you Everyone of the fifty thousand Would do anything you ask, just say. So let them sing out in praise But give them the courage to go against Rome! Win there and you’ll grow bigger So the whole world becomes your throne [Simon and the people](not writing all of this out) For you shall have the power and all the glory Forever, for all time and ever For you shall have the power and all the glory Forever, for all time and ever For you shall have the power and all the glory Forever, for all time and ever Amen! [Jesus] Neither you, Simon nor fifty thousand Neither Jews nor Rome Not Judas, my twelve, or any Pharisee Not even Jerusalem, you land that’s been condemned Can understand what power is Can understand what glory is No one can understand, can understand anything at all If you saw all that I’ve seen, my city, Jerusalem Then you would see that we live a lie In your time, the sufferings get tough, my city, Jerusalem To defeat death you must… be willing now to die

Then there are some mixed clips:

Here and here

And lastly, some gifs:

[walterdecourceys]

why are you, as a man, reprising a love song in your emotional darkest hour