William Finn
My Favourite Moment of the Bee 3/Second
[PANCH, spoken]
Will the final two spellers please step forward?

[RONA]
Oh boy!
And oh girl!
Only two remain
I feel joy but I also feel pain
Because I know what’s coming
Joy never comes for free

In a moment he or she
Will enter spelling history
Feeling triumph and glee
In this moment of perfect syzygy
I hear triumphant sounds of tympani
It’s my favorite moment of the bee

[PANCH, spoken]
Mr. Barfee, "Corzya."

[BARFEE, spoken]
Corzya.

[PANCH, spoken]
"Ilspile."

[OLIVE, spoken]
"Ilspile?"

[PANCH, spoken]
"Zoonosis."
"Chromataphore."
"Astrobleme."

[OLIVE]
I'm loving every minute

[BARFEE, spoken]
"Astrobleme..."

[OLIVE]
Who knew I had this thirst?

[BARFEE, spoken]
A-s-t...

[OLIVE]
To think that I might win it
Is astounding news
And I'm about to burst

[BARFEE, spoken]
...r-o, "Astro."

[OLIVE]
How wonderful it feels
To stand so close to first

[BARFEE, spoken]
...b-l-e...

[OLIVE]
I'll make it happen
—And not as previously reckoned
'Cause I will not come in second!
I hate to come in second
Yes I do
Yes I do
Yes I do
Yes I do
I will not come in second

[BARFEE, spoken]
...m-e. "Astrobleme."

[PANCH, spoken]
That is correct. Miss Ostrovsky, spell "Elanguescence."

[BARFEE]
Am I a Red Socks or a Yankee?
Who will come in second?
People are scared of me
And no one really likes me
I won't come in second
Hey Olive, don't think I'm distracted
By your eyes and your smile and your hairdo
Oh the things I do not dare do
My fears are odious and fecund
You will not outrank me
I won't wave my hankie  
[OLIVE]
I won't come in second
Second
Second
I won't come in...
Second

Elanguescence.
E-I-a-n-g-u-
e-s-s-e-n-c-e.
Elanguescence. [BARFEE]
Second
I won't come in

Second
I won't come in... [CHORUS]
Ooh ooh
Ahh Ahh

Ahh
Ahh
Ahh
Ahh

Who will come in first and
Who will come in...
Second, second Second
I won't come in second
I won't come in
Second
I won't come in
Second

[OLIVE, overlapping William]
I won't come in second
I won't come in second
I won't come in second
Second

[The bell rings.]

[PANCH, spoken]
For the win, William. Your word is, "Weltanschauung."

[BARFEE, spoken]
Yes of course, "Weltanschauung." [BARFEE]
W-e-l-t-a-n-s-c-h-a-u... [CHORUS]
Who will come in
Who will come in
Who will come in [BARFEE]
You...

[FANTASY BALLET: BARFEE and OLIVE dance.)

[CHORUS]
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo
Ahhhh!
Ahhhh!
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah
Ah!
Ah!
Mmmmmm
Mmmmmm

[BARFEE and OLIVE stop dancing.] [OLIVE]
I feel I'm in my glory

Mama, I made a friend


I'll lose and that's the story
But we are equals, Ma
Where neither
Condescends

I am
I am fine with second
I can live with second
Yes, second

I will come in second  
[BARFEE]
Should I come in second?

But should I come in second?

Is second for me?


My fears are odious and fecund
And should I throw
the bee?
Would I be happy second?
If for ever ever ever
To always be stuck in second
Will I come in second?
Will I come in  










[CHORUS]
Who will
Who will
Come in
Second
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh [BARFEE, spoken]
S-
C-
H-
A-
U... [CHORUS]
Oooh
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh [HE again looks over at OLIVE on the you.]

[OLIVE, spoken]
It's alright, Barf.

[BARFEE, spoken]
...u-n-g. Weltanschauung.

[PANCH, spoken]
We have a winner! [RONA]
Champion!
Just sensational
Representational [CHORUS]
Champion!
Champion!
Champion! [ALL]
Champion!
At the Putnam County Spelling—

[BARFEE, spoken]
Thank you all very much!

[ALL]
Bee!