Richard Rodgers
Something Wonderful (Finale)
[Anna and Louis are packing the last of their belongings. Lady Thiang appears with the news that he King is dying. Anna finds the King in his study surrounded by wives and children, and watches as he passes on the crown to his eldest son. In his first hesitating moment as King, Chulalongkorn reveals the influence of Anna's teaching, and Anna, trembling with emotion, realizes the magnitude of her accomplishments. As Chulalongkorn ascends the throne, the King dies, confident that his son will carry on in ways that he could not.]
[Children:]
Getting to know you, putting it my way
But nicely
You are precisely
[Anna:]
My cup of tea
[Louis:]
Mother, now that the King is dying
Does that make you friends again
[Anna:]
I suppose so, Louis. We can't hurt each other anymore
[Louis:]
He'd always frightened me
[Anna:]
Oh I wish you had known him better. You two could have been
Such good friends; in many ways, he was just as young as you
[Louis:]
Was he as good a King as he could have been?
[Anna:]
I don't think any man has ever been as good a King as he
Could have been. But this one tried, he tried very hard
[Louis:]
You really liked him, didn't you, mother?
[Anna:]
Yes, Louis, I liked him very much. Very much indeed
[Louis:]
Mother, it's the boat. It's time to go
[Anna:]
Louis, run down to the boat and ask Captain Northon to take our things off
[Louis:]
Yes, mother
[King:]
Several weeks I've not seen you, Misses Anna, and now I die
[Anna:]
No, your Majesty
[King:]
This is not scientific. I know when I die or do not die!
Misses Anna you take notes. You take note from next King
Well, suppose you are a King, is there nothing you would do?
[Prince:]
I would make proclamations!
[King:]
Yes!
[Prince:]
First I would proclaim for coming New Year fireworks!
[King:]
Hmm...Hmm?
[Prince:]
Also boat races!
[King:]
Boat races? Why? Boat races in New Year's celebration?
[Prince:]
I like boat races. And father, I would like to make a
Second proclamation
[King:]
Yes, what is your second proclamation? Make it! Make it!
[Prince:]
Regarding custom a-bowing to King, unfashionable at all
I do not believe this is good thing. Causing embarrassing
To everybody, degrading experience or so, etecetara
Etecetara, etecetara! And this bad thing, I believe
You are angry with me, my father?
[King:]
Oh, why do you ask question? When you are a king, you are king!
You do not ask question of sick man, nor of woman! Misses Anna
This proclamation against bowing to king, I believe to be your fault!
[Anna:]
Oh I hope so, your Majesty! I do hope so!
[Ensemble:]
He'll always need your love
And so he'll get your love
A man who needs your love
Can be Wonderful