Martin Guerre - Louison / Welcome Home Lyrics

Benoit
Come along, a scarecrow shouldn't cry, Louison
Come along, I'll dry your eyes, Louison
There's a golden sun up in the sky, Louison
There's a warm breezing blowing through the rye, Louison
Look, Louison
Ah, Louison
We shall sit here all day as we've sat here before
After we'll sit here some more
All the world is shining in July, Louison
But it's not as beautiful as my Louison
(Arnaud arrives, wearing a long cloak) Arnaud
Monsieur...
(He touches Benoit on the arm, startling him)
My name is Arnaud du Thil. I'm looking for a Madame
Martin Guerre. I've been told she lives somewhere near here.
Do you know where I can find her?
Benoit
D-don't move...d-don't move!
Arnaud
Who are you talking to?
Benoit
Louison!
Arnaud
Do you understand me, I'm looking for a wife
Who hasn't seen her husband for all her married life
I'm asking for your help, you must be quite a connoisseur
(he points to Louison)
If you know someone as beautiful as her
Benoit
In Artigat there's a lonely maid
A lovely bride if he'd only stayed
She is precious, she is frankincense and myrrh
And only my Louison is as beautiful as her
Both
All the pleasures of the earth I'd give
If I could keep those treasures in her eyes
Staying here or fighting wars I know which I'd prefer
If I knew someone as beautiful as her
Arnaud
So you know Madame Martin Guerre?
(Benoit nods enthusiastically)
Will you go and find her for me?
(Benoit hesitates)
Oh, don't worry about...Louison? I'll look after her.
(Benoit runs off, looking for the villagers. Arnaud
takes off his hat and lies on the ground.)
Benoit
Ther's a man looking for Bertrande! There's a man looking
for Bertrande! Where's Bertrande? There's a man looking for
Bertrande...where is Bertrande?
Guillaume
Who would think to come and see Bertrande?
Villagers
Who would think to come and see Bertrande?
Who would need to come and see Bertrande?
Who would want to come and see Bertrande?
Who would even know about Bertrande?
(The villagers laugh at the idea. Then, a hush falls over them)
Oh my God! Is it possible it's him?
Oh my God! Could it me the answer to our prayers?
Guillaume
Oh my God! Is it who I'm thinking of?
Celestine
Think what it would mean
Ernestine
Is it really true?
Hortense
Please make it clear
Villagers
God has shown his love for Artigat now Martin's here!
Surely they will have a child soon
And give us an heir
If it is...
Well, it must be, our own Martin Guerre!
God, it's a miracle, at last a miracle
(they cross themselves and kneel in thanks to God, except for Guillaume)
Where did you leave Martin, where did you leave Martin?
Benoit
He's with Lll...llll...lll
Villagers
Louison!!
(they run to where Arnaud is and stare at him)
Could this really be the same man?
I would hardly recognize him
It's amazing how he's changed!
It's remarkable how much he's changed!
But you're still Martin Guerre!
(Arnaud tries to say something. His cloak is removed.)
Pierre Guerre
It's so good to see you
(welcome home)
Promise you won't disappear
Villagers
Dead as far we knew!
Welcome home
Thank God you're here
It's so good to see you
Welcome home
Promise you won't disappear
Dead as far we knew!
Welcome home
Thank God you're here!
Pierre
No, not a word, boy, don't be downcast
What's done is done, now it's all in the past
Arnaud But I'm not...
Pierre & Villagers
(they point at him)
No!
Pierre
I'm telling you, there's nothing to say
What really matters is that you're here to stay!
Guillaume But Pierre!
Pierre & Villagers
(they point at Guillaume)
No!
Pierre
Don't give a thought to those that you've spurned
We're just overjoyed our boy has returned!
Come, the sun is sinking, welcome home
Bring the fatted calf and beer
Time we started drinking, welcome home
Thank God you're here!
(the villagers begin to dance around Arnaud)
Villagers
Come, the sun is sinking, welcome home
Bring the fatted calf and beer
Time we started drinking, welcome home
Thank God you're here!
(Father Dominc approaches Arnaud. Arnaud kneels before
him and crosses himself.)
Father Dominic
Now the Lord, as our reward, has brought you here
Hortense
You cheeky devil
You little tinker
Father Dominic
We would pray by night and day and year by year
Celestine
You cheeky monkey, you little stinker
Mme de Rols
How Bertrande's missed you
The tears that we've shed
Faithful and true, she's the virgin you knew
As you'll see when you take her to bed
(they blindfold Arnaud)
Villagers
Roast the meats
Bake the bread
Drown the village in wine
Press the sheets
Mend the bed
Bless the marital shrine
Pierre
Now where's Bertrande?
Three crones
Pretty maiden found a husband
Friend or foe?
Pretty maiden couldn't find her love
Where did he go?
Pretty maiden with her mirror
And her comb
Pretty maiden will be prettier
Now he's come home
(Guillaume begins to dance, in challenge to Arnaud. The men
join in, and Arnaud is able to join in the dance. Guillaume
runs off.)
Women
God it's a miracle
At last a miracle!
Martin's alive again, Martin's alive again!
(the women dance, and eventually the entire village is dancing)
Three crones
She's ripe for plucking, and ready for...
I wish it was me!
So do we...
(they continue to dance)
(Benoit arrives with Bertrande, who is also blindfolded. Bertrande
and Arnaud face each other and take hands. They dance, and Bertrande
gives him a litle kiss. They take off their blindfolds and stand
starting at each other. The villagers dance around them.)
Villagers
Welcome home
Our long lost son
We will forgive you whatever you've done!
Welcome home
Our long lost son
We will forgive you whatever you've done!
Welcome home!
(Arnaud and Bertrande are separated and caught up with the villagers.
Ernestine takes Bertrande by the hand and draws her to Arnaud.
The villagers leave them alone.)
Bertrande
You're not Martin...are you.
Arnaud
(he covers his face with his hands)
How can I tell you who I am when I'm not certain anymore?
Please let me tell you what I know, I was a soldier in the war
(Bertrande runs around the stage, stunned)
I knew Martin, he was my friend
He taught me how a life could be
He showed me how a man could see
Bertrande
If this is true, why did you lie?
And why did you call yourself Martin?
Arnaud
Your people said I was Martin even before they saw my face!
I swear it's true! I didn't lie!
Bertrande
But did you try to tell the truth?
Arnaud
Madame, I swear I tried, they would not let me speak
They welcomed me with open arms
And I've never known such love, the love they showed to their Martin
Bertrande
But they hated him! They made him leave me!
Arnaud
Bertrande, I have to tell you...
Bertrande
Do you know where he is?
Arnaud
That day we watched the morning sunrise
Their stealth, their speed took us by surprise
He stood his ground, he fought to the end
He saved my life, he died for his friend
Bertrande
Is this just one more lie?
Arnaud
No, I saw Martin die! I saw Martin die!
(Bertrande falls to her knees. Arnaud tries to touch her,
but she pulls her arm away from him.)
When he spoke of Bertrande, he was full of regret for
the way he behaved
For the suffering he'd caused
In that morning light he spoke with hope that he'd come
back and she'd still be there
Now I'm here, and I'm too ashamed to say
(He gets on his knees next her. She turns to leave, but stops.)
That I feel the same hope he felt that day