“[(over low rhythmic stomp, bodies swaying in ritual cadence)]
You asked for signs
Here they come
One by one
‘Til your will is undone “
“[(whisper chant, layered, rising from breath to hiss)]
Let my people go…
Let my people go… “
“[Lights shift to violent red. A deep bass swell hits like a pulse from the Nile’s depths.]”
“Red like wrath, red like need
Fish float dead
The jars rot dry
A nation thirsts
While Heaven cries”
“[(claps + echo chant, sharp and rhythmic)]
Let my people go!
Let my people go!”
“[(croaking rhythm, dancers crouch then leap in layered patterns, claps
syncopated)]
Frogs in your bed
Frogs in your bread
Frogs in your breath
Frogs in your head “
“[(stepping forward through disgusted nobles, voice taut)]
You think this shakes me?
This little trick?
You bring me frogs,
I rule with brick. “
“Dust takes flight
The stingers hum
No candle burns
No voice can drum
They bite the eyes
They eat the light
They swarm the throne
They steal the night “
“No hoof will stomp
No horn will sound
The ox will rot
In holy ground “
“[(somber chant, bodies slumping as if life drains from them)]
No trade, no wool
No calves, no coin
The field goes still
No more to join “
“[(groans and body percussion, striking shoulders and thighs as if welts
appear)]
Boils on every back
On every brow
The pain you give
Is paid back now “
“[(snapping, pacing, voice cracking at edges)]
You twist the skin
You spread disease
You think I will break?
I rule with ease! “
“Hail from the sky
Fire on the grass
The clouds rain down
And nothing lasts “
“[(stomps and claps, sharp, aggressive, syncopated)]
Crack the roofs
Burn the fields
The gods you praise
No longer shield “
“[(fast vocal rhythm, hands fluttering to mimic wings)]
Locusts eat the grain
They eat the fruit
They eat the name
They eat the root “
“They do not fear
They do not sleep
Your silos fall
Your losses creep “
“[(hushed whisper, trembling, breaths audible)]
Three days blind
Three days cold
Three days grief
In endless fold “
“[(angry, desperate, reaching into the dark)]
I cannot see
But I still stand
I own this throne
I hold this land! “
“[(quiet, slow, voice heavy as prophecy)]
You mocked the sky
You called me lies
Now comes the plague
That silences cries “
“Your pride will weep
Your palaces moan
The last breath drawn
Will not be your own “
“[(chant builds, each “go” punctuated by unified staff slams)]
Let my people go!
Let my people go!
Let my people go!
LET MY PEOPLE GO! “
“[(screamed breakdown, drenched in panic and rage)]
I will not yield!
I will not bleed!
This kingdom burns,
But I still lead! “
“[(final line, massive stomp, full cast unified)]
LET
MY
PEOPLE
GO! “
