Original Broadway Cast of Shrek: The Musical
Overture / Big Bright Beautiful World
[SHREK, spoken]
Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek
Who lived with his parents in a bog by a tree
It was a pretty nasty place
But he was happy because ogres like nasty
On his birthday, the little ogre's parents sat him down to talk
Just as all ogre's parents had for hundreds of years before
[MAMA OGRE]
Listen son, you're growing up so quickly
Growing up, bigger by the day
[PAPA OGRE]
Although we want you here
The rules are very clear
[MAMA OGRE]
Now you're seven...
[PAPA OGRE]
Now you're seven...
[MAMA OGRE & PAPA OGRE]
So it's time to go away
[PAPA OGRE]
Your Mama packed a sandwich for your trip
[MAMA OGRE]
Your Papa packed your boots in case of snow
[MAMA OGRE & PAPA OGRE]
You're gonna make us proud, no backing up allowed
[MAMA OGRE]
Just keep walking...
[PAPA OGRE]
Just keep walking...
[MAMA OGRE & PAPA OGRE]
And you'll find somewhere to go
It's a big bright beautiful world
With happiness all around
It's peaches and cream
And every dream comes true
But not for you
It's a big, bright, beautiful world
With possibilities everywhere
And just around the bend
There's a friend or two
But not for you
[MAMA OGRE]
We're ugly, son
Which means that life is harder
People hate the things they cannot understand
[PAPA OGRE]
And when they look at us they tend to make a fuss
[MAMA OGRE]
Burn our houses down
[PAPA OGRE]
And chase us
[MAMA OGRE & PAPA OGRE]
Off our land
It's important that you find a cozy cesspit
[MAMA OGRE]
A place no one would ever dare to tread
[MAMA OGRE & PAPA OGRE]
And if they happen by make sure you terrify them
[MAMA OGRE]
If you don't, son...
[PAPA OGRE]
If you don't, son...
[MAMA OGRE & PAPA OGRE]
Then you'll surely wind up dead
[MAMA OGRE]
Good-bye!
[PAPA OGRE]
Good-bye!
[MAMA OGRE]
Watch out for men with pitch-forks!
[SHREK, spoken]
And so the little ogre went off and found a muddy patch of swampland
Far, far away from the world that despised him
And there he stayed for many years
Tucked away, and all alone... which was just the way he liked it
(sung)
Keep your big bright beautiful world
I'm happy where I am, all alone
I got all I need
So read the stinkin' sign!
Keep your big bright beautiful world
I party on my own anyway
Doin' what I can
With a one-man conga line
Yeah, your big bright beautiful world
Is all teddy bears and unicorns
Take your fluffy fun
And shove it where the sun don't shine!
I prefer a life like this
It's not that complicated
Sure, I'm fated to be lonely
And I'm destined to be hated
If you read the books, they say
It's why I was created
But I don't care
'Cause being liked
Is grossly overrated
Who needs a big bright beautiful world?
I got my own little patch of the world!
It's not a big bright beautiful world
But it's mine! Alone!
It's mine!
And it's mine!
All mine!