Marc Shaiman
If Your Mother Were Here
(With all but one ticket gone, and no money to buy a bar, Charlie is desolate. Mr. Bucket tries to interest him in looking for shooting stars through the holes in the shack roof but Charlie isn’t interested. Mrs. Bucket comes home from the laundry as Mr. Bucket leaves to look for work. Both parents feel at a loss…)

[MR. BUCKET, spoken]
Well, there might be a hole in the roof, Charlie
But maybe we’ll see a shooting star and we can make a wish on it.​

[CHARLIE, spoken]
Don’t waste a wish on me.​

[MR. BUCKET, spoken]
Oh, Charlie…
(sung)
If your mother were here
She would say “that one’s Mars”
She would hang you the Moon
And then she’d bottle the stars

She would say “brush your teeth
Is that dirt behind your ear?”
You’d be dreaming if your mother were here

[MRS. BUCKET, spoken]
Evening, love.​

[MR. BUCKET, spoken]
Evening, love.​
[MRS. BUCKET, spoken]
How is he?

[MR. BUCKET, spoken]
Not good. Maybe you could cheer him up?

[MRS. BUCKET, spoken]
I’ll see what I can do.​

[MR. BUCKET, spoken]
See you tomorrow.​

[MRS. BUCKET, spoken]
See you tomorrow.​
Hey, Charlie, let’s have another look at that notebook of yours.​
I want to see all your new inventions.​
Charlie? Oh, Charlie…
(sung)
If your father were here
You would not be in bed
You’d be acting out the stories
From the books that you’ve read

He’d be walking the plank
Of Charlie Bucket buccaneer
You’d be sailing if your father were here
[MR. & MRS. BUCKET]
And if wishes were horses
We could gallop away
And if cabbages were watches
I would know the time all day
Ah, but all we can offer you are dreams in every size
So, close your eyes, Charlie Bucket, close your eyes…

[MR. BUCKET, spoken]
Looks like he’s asleep.​

[MRS. BUCKET, spoken]
Any luck?

[MR. BUCKET, spoken]
Not today. It’s getting colder tonight.​

[MRS. BUCKET, spoken]
Oh, we’ll manage.​

[MR. BUCKET, spoken]
I’m glad he has you.​

[MRS. BUCKET, spoken]
I’m glad he has you!
[MR. BUCKET, spoken]
See you tomorrow.​

[MRS. BUCKET, spoken]
See you tomorrow.​

[MR. BUCKET, spoken]
We’ll have to get you another blanket, won’t we, Charlie… eh?
(sung)
If your mother were here
She would banish the cold

[MRS. BUCKET]
And your dad brings the springtime
When your mum’s feelin’ old

[MR. & MRS. BUCKET]
As we’re watching you grow

[MRS. BUCKET]
Inch by inch

[MR. BUCKET]
By inch

[MR. & MRS. BUCKET]
By year

[MR. BUCKET]
I would thank her if your mother were here

(Winter has come. Mr. Bucket, alone in the snow, sees a shooting star.)

[MR. BUCKET, spoken]
Well, Charlie, if you won’t make a wish, then I will.​