"Stay With Me" is the 15th song of act I of Into The Woods. It is the 9th song in the Original Broadway Cast Recording.
The Witch, having discovered that Rapunzel has been dallying with a Prince, drags her from the tower, brandishing a pair of scissors. [1] Despite being written that she holds scissors, on stage of the Original Broadway Production she only rips Rapunzel's hair away or scissors are implied.
"By this point, the bean motif should be instantly recognizable. Its appearance in the introduction of “Stay With Me” comes as no surprise, particularly since the narrative of the Witch and Rapunzel has been entangled with that of the beans from the beginning. However, it is remarkable that Sondheim has manipulated this motive to the point where we are not only able to identify the motive itself but also the character simply based on which variation of the tune we hear. In this case, the particular rhythmic manipulation of the bean melody allows us to recognize the Witch’s influence. The beans appear again within the sung portion of the piece (“Don’t you know what’s out there in the world,” “Stay with me the world is dark and wild,” etc.). The beans are not the only motif to make an appearance in “Stay With Me.” At a crucial moment in the piece, Sondheim prominently features the major second interval. “Stay with me,” pleads the witch, “Stay at home. I am home.” All of these phrases are sung with a major second – an interval we have come to associate with the idea of wishing. The witch’s increasingly desperate use of this interval reveals her true nature. This is her wish." [2]
Lyrics[]
[WITCH]
What did I clearly say?
Children should listen
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
No, no, please!
[WITCH]
What were you not to do?
Children must see—
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
No!
[WITCH]
And learn
Why could you not obey?
Children should listen
What have I been to you?
What would you have me be
Handsome like a prince?
Ah, but I am old
I am ugly
I embarrass you
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
No!
[WITCH]
You are ashamed of me
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
No!
[WITCH]
You are ashamed
You don't understand
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
It was lonely atop that tower.
[WITCH, spoken]
I was not company enough?
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
I am no longer a child. I wish to see the world.
[WITCH]
Don't you know what's out there in the world?
Someone has to shield you from the world
Stay with me
Princes wait there in the world, it's true
Princes, yes, but wolves and humans, too
Stay at home
I am home
Who out there could love you more than I?
What out there that I cannot supply?
Stay with me
Stay with me
The world is dark and wild
Stay a child while you can be a child
With me
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ "Look I made a hat: collected lyrics (1981 - 2011) with attendant comments, amplifications, dogmas, harangues, digressions, anecdotes and miscellany" by Stephen Sondheim, book published 2011. Page 77
- ↑ https://www.fromscoretostage.com/post/2017/05/08/into-the-woods-wishes-beans-and-fanfares
https://genius.com/Bernadette-peters-stay-with-me-lyrics