John Kander
Gabriel’s Letter/My First Woman
[GABRIEL]
I'm sorry to hear they've taken you away
I'm sure you're innocent
You're such a good man
You must be innocent

And I'm sorry if I've never told you how grateful I am
For the movies, the talks, and the books
The gifts to my wife and newborn child
I am truly sorry

And finally, I'm sorry for
Any pain I may have caused you
I know what you wanted of me
But I'm just not that way

What a strange thing to be sorry for
But that's the way it is, isn't it?
I'm sorry
Simply sorry

[VALENTIN]
My first woman
I remember my first woman

Back of a building
Me and my friends
A couple of pesos
There in the gravel
Down on her knees
What did she look like? Probably plain
Who can remember?

But to me, she was the keeper of all mystery

[GABRIEL]
And finally, I'm sorry for
Any pain I may have caused you

[VALENTIN]
My first woman
I remember my first woman

[GABRIEL]
I know what you wanted of me
But I'm just not that way

[VALENTIN/(GABRIEL)]
Back of a building
Me and my friends
A couple of pesos (I'm sorry)

There in the gravel (What a strange thing to be sorry for)
Down on her knees
What did she look like? Probably plain (But that's the way it is, isn't it?)
But to me, she was the keeper of all mystery (I'm sorry, simply sorry)

[GABRIEL]
Your friend, Gabriel

[VALENTIN]
Mystery