Stephen Sondheim
Rose’s Turn
[ROSE, spoken]
I made you! And you wanna know why? You wanna know what I did it for? 'Cause I was born too soon and I started too late, that's why.
But what I have in me, I could've been better than any of you! What I got in me–what I've been holding down inside of me–oh, if I ever let it out, there wouldn't be signs big enough! There wouldn't be lights bright enough!
Here she is, boys!
Here she is, world!
Here's Rose!
(sung)
Curtain up!
Light the lights!
Play it, boys!
You either got it
Or you ain't
And, boys, I got it!
Ya like it?
[ORCHESTRA, spoken]
Yeah!
[ROSE]
Well, I got it!
Some people got it and make it pay
Some people can't even give it away
This people's got it
And this people's spreadin' it around
You either have it
Or you've had it
(spoken)
Hello, everybody! My name's Rose. What's yours?
How do you like them eggrolls, Mr. Goldstone?
(sung)
Hold your hats and hallelujah
Momma's gonna show it to you
(spoken)
Ready or not, shhh, here comes Momma
(sung)
Momma's talkin' loud
Momma's doin' fine
Momma's gettin' hot
Momma's goin' stong
Momma's movin' on
Momma's all alone
Momma doesn't care
Momma's lettin' loose
Momma's got the stuff
Momma's lettin' go
M-Ma-M-M–
Momma's got the stuff
Momma's gotta move
Momma's gotta go
M-M-M-Ma–
Momma's gotta let go
Why did I do it?
What did it get me?
Scrapbooks full of me in the background
Give 'em love and what does it get you?
What does it get you?
One quick look as each of 'em leaves you
All your life and what does it get you?
Thanks a lot, and out with the garbage
They take bows and you're battin' zero!
I had a dream
I dreamed it for you, June
It wasn't for me, Herbie
And if it wasn't for me
Then where would you be
Miss Gypsy Rose Lee?
Well, someone tell me, when is it my turn?
Don't I get a dream for myself?
Starting now, it's gonna be my turn
Gangway, world, get off of my runway!
Starting now, I bat a thousand!
This time, boys, I'm taking the bows and
Everything's coming up Rose!
Everything's coming up roses!
Everything's coming up roses
This time for me!
For me!
For me!
For me!
For me!
For me!
For me!