Stephen Schwartz
Simple Joys
[LEADING PLAYER]
Well I'll sing you the story of a sorrowful lad
He had everything he wanted, didn't want what he had
He had wealth and pelf and fame and name and all of that noise
But he didn't have none of those simple joys

His life seemed purposeless and flat
Aren't you glad you don't feel like that?

So he ran from all the deeds he'd done
He ran from things he'd just begun
He ran from himself, which was mighty far to run
Out into the country where he played as a boy
He knew he had to find him some simple joy

He wanted someplace warm and green
We all could use a change of scene

Sweet summer evenings, hot wine and bread
Sharing your supper, sharing your bed
Simple joys have a simple voice
That says, "why not go ahead?"

And wouldn't you
Rather be a left-handed flea
Or a crab on a slab at the bottom of the sea
Than a man who never learns how to be free
Not till he's cold and dead
And wouldn't you
Rather be a left-handed flea
A crab on a slab at the bottom of the sea
Or a newt on the root of a banyan tree
Than a man who never learns how to be free
Not till the day he dies

Sweet summer evenings, sapphire skies
Feasting your belly
Feasting your eyes
Simple joys have a simple voice
That says, "time is living's prize"

And wouldn't you
Rather be a left-handed flea
A crab on a slab at the bottom of the sea
A newt on the root of a banyan tree
Or a fig on a twig in Galilee
Than a man who never learns how to be free
Not till the day he
Not till the day he
Not till the day
Not till the day he dies