Anaïs Mitchell
If it’s True
[ORPHEUS]
If it's true what they say
If there's nothing to be done
If it's true that it's too late
And the girl I love is gone
If it's true what they say

[ORPHEUS, spoken]
Is this how the world is?

[ORPHEUS]
To be beaten and betrayed and then be told that nothing changes?
It'll always be like this?
If it's true what they say
I'll be on my way

[HERMES, spoken]
And the boy turned to go
'Cause he thought no one could hear
But everybody knows that walls have ears

[HERMES]
And the workers heard him

[WORKERS]
If it's true what they say
[HERMES]
With their hammers swinging

[WORKERS]
What's the purpose of a man?

[HERMES]
And they quit their workin'

[WORKERS]
Just to turn his eyes away?

[HERMES]
When they heard him singing

[WORKERS]
Just to throw up both his hands?

[HERMES]
No hammer swinging

[WORKERS]
What's the use of his backbone

[HERMES]
No pickaxe ringin'
[WORKERS]
If he never stands upright?

[HERMES]
And they stood and listened

[WORKERS]
If he turns his back on everyone?

[HERMES]
To the poor boy singing

[WORKERS]
That he could've stood beside

[ORPHEUS]
If it's true what they say
I'll be on my way
But who are they to say what the truth is anyway?
'Cause the ones who tell the lies

[WORKERS Chorus]
Ahhhh

[ORPHEUS]
Are the solemnest to swear
And the ones who load the dice
[WORKERS Chorus]
Oooo

[ORPHEUS]
Always say the toss is fair
And the ones who deal the cards

[WORKERS]
Deal the cards

[ORPHEUS]
Are the ones who take the tricks
With their hands over their hearts
While we play the game they fix
And the ones who speak the words

[WORKERS]
Speak the words

[ORPHEUS]
Always say it is the last
And no answer will be heard
To the question no one asks
So I'm askin' if it's true
I'm askin' me and you
And you
And you
I believe our answer matters more than anything they say

[WORKERS]
We stand and listen

[ORPHEUS]
I believe if there is still a will
Then there is still a way

[WORKERS]
We're standing with him

[ORPHEUS]
I believe there is a way
I believe in us together
More than anyone alone

[WORKERS]
We're standing near him

[ORPHEUS]
I believe that with each other, we are stronger than we know

[WORKERS]
We hear him

[ORPHEUS]
I believe we're stronger than they know
I believe that we are many
I believe that they are few

[WORKERS]
We're standing

[ORPHEUS]
And it isn't for the few
To tell the many what is true

[WORKERS]
We understand him

[ORPHEUS]
So I ask you:
If it's true what they say

[WORKERS]
We're standing

[ORPHEUS]
I'll be on my way

[WORKERS]
We're standing

[ORPHEUS]
Tell me what to do

[WORKERS]
We're standing

[ORPHEUS]
Is it true?
Is it true what they say?