Newsies Musical Soundtrack Lyrics
Prologue
by
Newsies Cast
In 1899, the streets of New York echoed with the voices of Newsies.
Peddling the papers of Joseph Pulitzer,
William Randolph Hearst,
And other giants of the newspaper world.
On every corner you heard them carrying the banner.
Bringing you the news for a penny a pape.
Poor orphans and runaways, the Newsies were a ragged army, without a leader.
Until one day, all that changed.
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
Carrying the Banner
by
Newsies Cast
Racetrack:
That's my cigar
Snipeshooter:
You'll steal anudder
Kid Blink:
Hey, bummers, we got work to do
Specs:
Since when did you become me mudder?
Crutchy:
Ah, stop yer bawling!
Several Newsies:
Hey! Who ast you??
Mush:
Try Bottle Alley or the harbor
Racetrack:
Try Central Park, it's guaranteed
Jack:
Try any banker, bum, or barber ...
Skittery:
They almost all knows how to read!
Kid Blink:
I smell money
Crutchy:
You smell foul!
Mush:
Met this girl last night ...
Crutchy:
Move your elbow!
Racetrack:
Pass the towel!
Skittery:
For a buck, I might!
Newsies:
Ain't it a fine life
Carrying the banner through it all?
A mighty fine life
Carrying the banner tough and tall
Every morning
We goes where we wishes
We's as free as fishes
Sure beats washing dishes
What a fine life
Carrying the banner home-free all!
Jack:
It takes a smile as sweet as butter
Crutchy:
The kind that ladies can't resist
Racetrack:
It takes an orphan with a stutter
Jack:
Who ain't afraid ta use his
Kid Blink:
Fist!
Newsies:
Summer stinks and winter's waiting
Welcome to New York
Boy, ain't nature fascinating
When youse gotta walk?
Still, it's a fine life
Carrying the banner with me chums!
A mighty fine life
Blowing every nickel as it comes
Crutchy:
I'm no snoozer
Sitting makes me antsy
I likes living chancy
Newsies:
Harlem tah Delancey
What a fine life
Carrying the banner through the slums
Three Nuns:
Blessed children
Though you wander lost and depraved
Jesus loves you
You shall be saved!
SUNG IN COUNTERPOINT:
Mother:
Patrick, darling,
Since you left me I am undone
Mother loves you!
God, save my son!
Racetrack:
Just gimme half a cup
Kid Blink:
Something ta wake me up
Crutchy:
I gotta sell more papes
Various Newsies:
Papers is all I got
Wish I could catch a breeze
Sure hope the headline's hot
All I can catch is fleas
God, help me if it's not!
Somebody help me, please ...
Newsies:
If I hate the headlines
I'll make up the headline
And I'll say anything I hafta
'Cause at two for a penny
If I take too many
Weasel just makes me eat 'em afta
SUNG IN COUNTERPOINT:
Group one:
Look! They're puttin' up the headline
You call that a headline?
I get better stories
From the copper on the beat!
I was gonna start at twenty
Now a dozen'll be plenty
Tell me, how'm I gonna make ends meet?
Group two:
What's it say?
That won't pay!
So where's your spot?
God, it's hot!
Will ya tell me
How'm I gonna make ends meet?
Newsies:
We need a good assassination!
We need an earthquake or a war!
Snipeshooter:
How 'bout a crooked politician?
Newsies:
Hey, stupid, that ain't news no more!
Uptown to Grand Central Station
Down to City Hall
We improves our circulation
Walking till we fall
SUNG IN COUNTERPOINT:
Group one:
Still we'll be out there
Carrying the banner man to man!
We'll be out there
Soakin' every sucker that we can!
See the headline:
Newsies on a mission!
Group one:
Kill the competition
Sell the next edition
While we're out there
Carrying the banner is the -
Group two:
Look, they're puttin' up the headline
They call that a headline?
The idiot who wrote it
Must be workin' for the Sun!
Did ya hear about the fire?
Group three:
Heard it killed old man Maguire!
Group two:
Heard the toll was even higher
Group three:
Why do I miss all the fun?
Group two:
Hitched it on a trolley
Group three:
Meet 'cha Forty-fourth and Second
Group two:
Little Italy's a secret
Group three:
Bleecker's further than I reckoned
Group two:
By the courthouse
Group three:
Near the stables
Group two:
On the corner someone beckoned and I -
Group one:
It's a fine life
Carrying the banner through it all?
A mighty fine life
Carrying the banner tough and tall
See the headline
Newsies on a mission
Kill the competition
Sell the next edition
What a fine life,
Carrying the banner
It's a fine life
Carrying the banner
It's a fine life
Carrying the banner
It's a fine life
Carrying the banner
It's a fine life
Carrying the banner
It's a
Go!
Group two:
Would you look at that headline?
You call that a headline?
I get better stories
From the copper on the beat!
I was gonna start with twenty
Now a dozen'll be plenty
Would you tell me how'm I ever
Gonna make ends meet?
Hitched it on a trolley
Meetcha Forty-fourth and Second
Little Italy's a secret
Bleecker's further than I reckoned
By the courthouse
Near the stables
On the corner someone beckoned!
Go get 'em Cowboy
You got 'em now, boy!
Go get 'em, Cowboy!
You got 'em now, boy!
Go!
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
Santa Fe
by
Newsies Cast
JACK:
So that's what they call a family
Mudder, fadder, daughter, son
Guess everything you heard about is true.
So you ain't got any family
Well,who said you needed one?
Ain'tcha glad nobody's waiting up for you?
When I dream on my own
I'm alone, but I ain't lonely
For a dreamer, night's the only time of day
When the city's finally sleeping
When my thoughts begin to stray
And I'm on the train that bound for
Santa Fe
And I'm free
Like the wind
Like Im gonna live forever.
It's a feeling time can never take away
All I needs a few more dollars
And I'm outta here to stay
Dreams come true
Yes they do
In Santa Fe
Where does it say you've gotta live and die here?
Where does it say a guy can't catch a break?
Why should you only take what you're given?
Why should you spend your whole life livin'
Trapped where there ain't no future
Even at seventeen
Breaking your back for someone else's sake
If the life don't seem to suit ya
HOw bout a change of scene?
Far from the lously headlines
And the deadlines in between
Santa Fe
Are you there?
Do you swear you won't forget me?
If I found you would you let me come and stay?
I ain't getting any younger
And before my dying day
I want space
Not just air
Let 'em laugh in my face, I don't care
Save a place
I'll be there
So that's what they call a family?
Ain'tcha glad you ain't that way?
Ain'tcha glad you got a dream called
Santa Fe?
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
My Lovey-Dovey Baby
by
Newsies Cast
ANNOUNCER:(Speaking)
And now gents, the moment you've all been waiting for.
The sensational songbird. The Swedish Meadowlark, Miss Medda Larkson.
MEDDA:
My lovey dovey baby
I boo-hoo-hoo for you
I used to be your tootsie-wootsie
Then you said 'tooldle-dedoo'
I miss the hanky-panky
Each nighty-night til three
Come back my lovey dovey baby
And coochie-coo with me
Our life was ducky-wucky
So goody-good were we
Come back, my lovey-dovey baby
And coochie-coo with me
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
The World I Will Know
by
Newsies Cast
JACK:
Pulitzer and Hearst
They think we're nothin'
Are we nothin'?
NEWSIES:
No!
JACK:
Pulitzer and Hearst
They think they got us
Do they got us?
NEWSIES:
No!
JACK:
Even though we ain't got hats or badges
We're a union just by saying so
And the world will know!
What's it gonna take to stop the wagons?
Are we ready?
NEWSIES:
Yeah!
JACK:
What's it gonna take to stop the scabbers?
Can we do it?
NEWSIES:
Yeah!
JACK:
We'll do what we gotta do
Until we break the will of mighty Bill and Joe
NEWSIES:
And the World will know
And the Journal too
Mister Hearst and Pulitzer
Have we got news for you
Now the world will hear
What we got to say
We been hawkin' headlines
But we're makin' 'em today
And our ranks will grow
CRUTCHY:
And we'll kick their rear
NEWSIES:
And the world will know
That we been here
JACK:
When the circulation bell starts ringin'
Will we hear it?
NEWSIES:
No!
JACK:
What if the Delanceys come out swingin'
Will we hear it?
NEWSIES:
No!
When you got a hundred voices singin'
Who can hear a lousy whistle blow?
And the world will know
That this ain't no game
That we got a ton of rotten fruit and perfect aim
So they gave their word
But it ain't worth beans
Now they're gonna see
What "stop the presses" really means
And the day has come
And the time is now
And the fear is gone
BOOTS:
And our name is mud
NEWSIES:
And the strike is on
BOOTS:
And I can't stand blood
NEWSIES:
And the world will -
JACK:
Pulitzer may own the World but he don't own us!
NEWSIES:
Pulitzer may own the World but he don't own us!
JACK:
Pulitzer may crack the whip but he won't whip us!
NEWSIES:
Pulitzer may crack the whip but he won't whip us!
And the world will know
And the world will learn
And the world will wonder how we made the tables turn
And the world will see
That we had to choose
That the things we do today will be tomorrow's news
And the old will fall
And the young stand tall
And the time is now
And the winds will blow
And our ranks will grow and grow and grow and so
The world will feel the fire
And finally know!
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
Seize the Day
by
Newsies Cast
DAVID:
Open the gates and seize the day
Don't be afraid and don't delay
Nothing can break us
No one can make us
Give our rights away
Arise and seize the day!
DAVID AND NEWSIES:
Now is the time to seize the day
(Now is the time to seize the day)
Send out the call and join the fray
(Send out the call and join the fray)
DAVID:
Wrongs will be righted
If we're united
DAVID AND NEWSIES:
Let us seize the day!
Friends of the friendless seize the day
(Friends of the friendless seize the day)
Raise up the torch and light the way
(Raise up the torch and light the way)
Proud and defiant
We'll slay the giant
Let us seize the day
Neighbor to neighbor
Father to son
One for all and all for one!
Open the gates and seize the day
(Open the gates and seize the day)
Don't be afraid and don't delay
(don't be afraid and don't delay)
Nothing can break us
No one can make us
Give our rights away
Neighbor to neighbor
Father to son!
One for all and all for one!
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
King of New York
by
Newsies Cast
MUSH:
A pair of new shoes with matching laces
RACETRACK:
A permanent box at Sheepshed Races.
SPOT:
A porcelain tub with boiling water
KID BLINK:
A Saturday night with the mayor's daughter!
RACETRACK:
Look at me
I'm the King of New York!
Suddenly
I'm respectable
Staring right atcha
Lousy with stature
JACK:
Nubbin' with all the muckety-mucks
I'm blowin' my dough and goin' deluxe!
RACETRACK:
And there I'll be
Ain't I pretty?
RACETRACK & JACK:
It's my city
I'm the king of New York!
BOOTS:
A corduroy suit with fitted knickers
LES:
A mezzanine seat to see the flickers
SNIPESHOOTER:
Havana cigars that cost a quarter
DAVID:
An editor's desk for our star reporter!
NEWSIES:
Tip your hat
He's the King of New York!
DENTON:
How 'bout that?
I'm the King of New York!
NEWSIES:
Ain't nothing flat
He'll be covering
Brooklyn to Trenton
Our man Denton
KID BLINK:
Making a headline out of a hunch
DENTON:
Protecting the weak
RACETRACK:
And paying for lunch
DENTON:
When I'm at bat
Strong men crumble
RACETRACK:
Proud yet humble
DENTON & RACETRACK:
I'm/He's the King of New York
NEWSIES:
I gotta be either dead or dreaming
'Cuz look at that pape with my face beaming
Tomorrow they may wrap fishes in it
But I was a star for one whole minute!
Starting now
I'm the King of New York!
DENTON:
Ain't you heared?
I'm the King of New York!
NEWSIES:
Holy cow!
It's a miracle
Pulitzer's crying
Weasel? He's dying!
Flashpots are shooting bright as the sun
I'm one hifalutin' sonuva gun!
Don't ask me how
Fortune found me
Fate just crowned me
Now I'm King of New York!
Look and see
Once a piker
Now a striker
I'm the King of New York!
Victory!
Front page story
Guts and glory
I'm the King of New York!
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
High Times, Hard Times
by
Newsies Cast
MEDDA:
High times, hard times
Sometimes the living is sweet
And sometimes there's nothing to eat
But I always land on my feet
So when there's dry times
I wait for high times and then
I put on my best
And I stick out my chest
And I'm off to the races again!
My good friend the mayor, he called me today
He said all the voters are turning away
"Help me," he cried, "or they'll give me the axe!"
I said, "Your Honor, you've got to relax ..." Everybody!
ALL:
High times, hard times
Sometimes the living is sweet
And sometimes there's nothing to eat
But I always land on my feet
So when there's dry times
I wait for high times and then
I put on my best
And I stick out my chest
And I'm off to the races again!
MEDDA:
So your old lady don't love you no more
So you're afraid there's a wolf at your door
So you got street rats that scream in your ear
ALL:
You win some, you lose some, my dear!
Oh, high times, hard times
Sometimes the living is sweet
And sometimes there's nothing to eat
But I always land on my feet
So when there's dry times
I wait for high times and then
I put on my best
And I stick out my chest
And I'm off to the races again!
I put on my best
And I stick out my chest
And I'm off
And I'm off
And I'm off to the races again!
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
Seize the Day (Chorale)
by
Newsies Cast
Open the gates and seize the day
Don't be afraid and don't delay
Nothing can break us
No one can make us
Give our rights away
Arise and seize the day
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
Santa Fe (Reprise)
by
Newsies Cast
JACK:
Santa Fe
My old friend
I can't spend my whole life hidin'
You're the only light that's guidin' me today
Will you keep a candle burnin'?
Will you help me find my way?
You're my chance to break free
And who knows when my next one will be?
Santa Fe
Wait for me
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
Once and for All
by
Newsies Cast
DENTON:
This is the story you wanted to write,
Well tonight is the night that you can,
JACK:
Just get this done and by dawn's early light
You can finish the fight you began,
DAVID:
This time we are in it to stay,
SARAH:
Think about seising the day,
JACK:
Think of that train as she rolls into old Santa Fe,
Tell em' im on my way,
MORE NEWSIES:
See old man Pullitzer's snug in his bed
He don't care if we are dead or alive
Three satin pillows are under his head
While we are begging for bread to survive
Joe, if you're still countin' sheep
Wake up and read em' and weep
You got your thugs
With thier sticks and their slugs
Yeah, but we got a promise to keep
Once and for all
Something tells me the tide'll be turnin'
Once and for all
There is a fire inside me
That won't stop burnin'
Now that the choices are clear
Now tomorrow is here
Watch how the mighty will fall
For once and for all
MORE NEWSIES:
This is for kids shinin' shoes in the street
With no shoes on their feet everyday
This is for guys sweatin' blood in the shops
While the bosses and cops look away
This is to even the score
This ain't just Newsies no more
This ain't just kids for some pie in the sky
This is do it or die
This is WAR!
Once and for all
We'll be there to defend one another
Once and for all
Every kid is our friend
Every friend a brother
Five thousand fists in the sky
Five thousand reasons to try
We're goin' over the wall
Better to die then to crawl
Either we stand or we fall
For once
Once and for all
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
The World Will Know (Reprise)
by
Newsies Cast
LES: [sung] When the circulation bell starts ringing, will we hear it?
RACETRACK: [spoken] Nah!
[sung] What if the Delanceys come out swinging, will we hear it?
LES: [spoken] No!
COMPANY: [sung]
When you've got a million voices singing who could hear a lousy whistle blow?
And the world will know!
The world will feel the fire and finally know!!!
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
Carrying the Banner (Finale)
by
Newsies Cast
Try Bottle Alley or the harbor
Try Central Park, it's guaranteed
Try any banker, bum, or barber ...
They almost all knows how to read!
Summer stinks and winter's waiting
Welcome to New York
Boy, ain't nature fascinating
When youse gotta walk?
Group 1:
It's a fine life
Carrying the banner
It's a fine life
Carrying the banner
It's a fine life
Carrying the banner
It's a fine life
Carrying the banner
Group 2:
You got 'em Cowboy
You showed 'em now, boy!
Go get 'em, Cowboy!
You got 'em now, boy!
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher