Performed in 1994, this musical tells the story of Esther’s journey beginning with the events leading up to her marriage to King Xerxes and including the other stories of Purim. Soloists are The King, Memucan, Vashti, Haman, Mordecai, and of course, Esther. This show includes a large chorus.
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Click the song titles below to view lyrics.
Long before Remus and Romulus had even thought of founding Rome…
The God of all the world made a covenant with a righteous man
That the faithful seed of Abraham would be taken to the Promised Land.
Many years all Israel slaved beneath the pharaoh’s hand.
But then the God of Pow ‘r raised Moses up to take them out of Egypt-land.
Forty years of wandering in the wilderness and desert sand,
And after many years of war – Israel had the Promised Land.
The golden age of Israel lived on ’til after Solomon’s reign.
Then tribes divided for 200 years and then invaders came .
In war ten tribes were carried off in long Assyrian caravans
And later Babylonians took the rest far from the Promised Land.
Did the Jews forget God and the covenants He had made?
No – in his captivity, Daniel always prayed.
Soon Persia swallowed Babylon with the help of God’s own hand.
And so the seed of Abraham might return unto the Promised Land.
Persia stretches out from Ethiopia to India.
Greeks come and Egyptians come to see our King in Susa.
Jewish men and women also live in Persia-land.
Like Daniel they are faithful – tho’ they live far from the Promised Land.
For a Hundred eighty days the King has toured this mighty land
And now a royal feast commences at the King’s command.
We celebrate the first three years of Xerxes reign!
His power is greatly his wealth untold his glory we proclaim!
The King of Persia! The King of Persia! All hail the King! All hail the King!
The princes and the nobles of all Persia and Medea
Have traveled with the King from Ethiopia to India.
The riches of his glorious kingdom they did see.
They saw the honor of his excellent majesty.
The King of Persia! The King of Persia! All hail the King! All hail the King!
Make way! He comes! All hail the King! Make way! He comes! All hail the King!
All hail the King! All hail the King!
And show to all the princes my great beauty
The King requests my presence – I should wear the royal crown
And show to all the princes my great beauty.
Who’s he kidding?
Those lushes couldn’t see their hands before their faces
For they’ve toured this land a hundred-eighty days.
Those guys are walking in a haze.
‘Cause at my dear old husband’s feast they have been
Drinking for seven nights and days.
Parade around for drunks to view?
It’s not a thing a girl aspires to.
I was meant for better things!
So someone better tell the King
That I am more than just a beauty,
And I will not be treated as a play-thing!
My dears, don’t look so aghast!
Sure, he’ll be mad, but not for long …
I’ve found that I can twist the king right ’round my finger.
A queen has ways of dealing with the mighty and strong …
I’ve been a royal all my days.
I’m well-accustomed to the palace ways,
But I’m incensed the King would dare to ask me to dance there
In front of leering pinching princes!
No, sir! I’ll not take part in that affair!
How dare he ask me? I will not!
And I don’t care if His Royalness gets hot! To even think it is obscene –
After all, I am The Queen!
And you won’t have to tell His Majesty,
He’ll hear my answer in my royal scream!
Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out! I Will Not Go!
The queen who would not come at my command? What can we do to Vashti?
She scorned her king, she would not come! So tell me now, what can be done
In such a land as mine, in such a place in time,
To a queen who has committed such a serious crime?
My anger burns within me!
I’m made to look a fool by a mere woman! What can we do to Vashti?
So tell me, what shall be the fate of a queen who would humiliate
Her king! What can we do? Memucan, I’m asking you!
Within the law, now say to me, just what should a powerful king do?
Your Majesty – I am honored Your Great Highness
calls upon this humble servant to assist The Throne in fixing this embarrassing mess.
But since Your Highest Royalty has asked my poor opinion,
I will tell you, Great and Wisest King, that this is just a test!
What?!
News of Vashti’s actions will spread through the palace like a fire!
Girls will tell the story now as if the Queen should be admired!
They’ll whisper of it as they gather at the pool,
“Did you hear the latest? The Queen has played the King for a fool!”
Vashti, Queen of Persia has done wrong to you, it’s true
But she has wronged the princes and all men of Persia too:
This deed shall come abroad to all women in the land.
They will cease to honor and obey their man’s command!
Oh, those women! Where are the women of the good old days?
Those women! All I want is a woman who respects and obeys!
A man doesn’t need a girl who is terribly bright,
Because in day-to-day life, the man is always right!
Oh, those women! They must be taught to honor men!
Those women! Well at least they could pretend!
This deed of independence of which the Queen is so proud,
I’m telling you, Great King, It Can Not Be Allowed!
I’m telling you, Great King, It Can Not Be Allowed!
Here’s a plan your countrymen (I’m certain) would applaud
Dump the Queen, just throw her out! Get it written in the law!
Once he’s sealed a writing that is written in his name,
It can never be reversed, even if his attitudes change ..
Show those women! Where are the women of the good old days?
Show those women! All I want is a woman who respects and obeys!
A girl who thinks that she can think is a curse.
A girl who knows no obedience is infinitely worse!
Oh, those women! They must be taught to honor men!
Those women! We must teach it ’til the end!
This deed of independence of which the Queen is so proud,
Just go and show her, King: It Can Not Be Allowed!
Just go and show her King: It Can Not Be Allowed!
Also send a letter to each province of the land:
Wives should honor husbands and obey all their commands.
Just as you rule Persia in great wisdom from the throne,
Men are kings to their wives, they are the rulers of the home!
Oh, those women! Where are the women of the good old days?
Those women! All I want is a woman who respects and obeys!
Does no one teach these girls to reverence the male?
I see the answer now – Their mothers must have failed!
Oh, those women! They must be taught to honor men!
Those women! We must begin again!
To teach them all a lesson on what happens to the proud,
Just write the letter, King. They will see it’s not allowed!
You’re telling them, Great King, it can not be allowed!
Whose fame of splendor spread to many lands.
Built of gold and jewels and cedar
Its beauty far surpassed all other works of man.
And people traveled from the corners of the earth to see…
And they could feel, somehow, the temple’s sacred majesty.
And in that place, the laws of Heaven
Were honored as commanded long ago.
And the walls kept out the harsh world
So inside the prayers and faith of man could grow.
So in the midst of the city’s loud and hurried pace,
Eternal time was kept, and the people could feel peace.
The temple stood amidst the nations
Whose strength came from the sword.
But inside it, Heavens pow’r was giv’n
To those who bowed with Holiness to the Lord.
It is no more. That glorious temple
Was destroyed by men whose only god was gold.
But we’ll rebuild – Surpass that glory! –
In a latter-day as prophets have foretold.
And of that miracle our people then will sing!
And our “Hosanna Shout” will make the mountains ring!
And it will stand amidst the nations
Whose strength comes from the sword.
But within it, Heavens pow’r will be giv’n
To those who bow with Holiness to the Lord.
We can use the pattern of the temple
And keep commandments given long ago
So that even in this hard world
Within ourselves our prayers and faith can grow.
And in the midst of this city’s loud and hurried pace
Eternal laws are ours and we too can feel peace.
And we can stand amidst this people
Whose strength comes from the sword
While inside us, Heaven’s pow’r is given
When we bow down in Holiness to the Lord.
When we bow down in Holiness to the Lord.
She must be young and free from imperfection.
Pure! More than Ivory Soap! And quick to win the King’s affection.
The King wants a woman ~ not just any woman!
She must be seen, but she can never be heard!
She must adore the King and lovingly obey his word.
The King wants a woman – not just any woman!
The most beautiful woman in the world.
It’s a tough job, sure, but it must be done!
So we’re off to find some really gorgeous girls!
The King wants a woman – not just any woman!
The King wants a woman – not just any woman!
Think of it as a Princess Cruise vacation!
Spend some time in royal purification!
Six months with sweet perfume, six months with oil of myrrh.
Who knows what kind of scent His Majesty the King prefers?
Twelve months? Hey, girls, isn’t that too many?
Girls and boys are different, girls take longer to get ready!
The King wants a woman – not just any woman!
The King wants a woman – not just any woman!
If she wants more jewels more bracelets or rings
She gets all she wants for her night with the King.
Who will the king choose to come in tonight?
Try to look pretty, but don’t look too bright!
If you can capture the heart of that man
You will be the Queen of the Land.
But in the morning each maiden returns
She can’t see the King unless he calls for her
According to law, yes, she is the King’s wife
But she might not see him the rest of her life!
Who will the king choose to come in tonight?
Which girl can tickle his royal delight?
If you can capture the heart of that man
You will be the Queen of the Land.
Something calming, like starlight on the water…
She has a look, a confidence I rarely see
And in her eyes, I swear I see a mystery …
With her quiet ways, she has enchanted me …
She wears no jewels yet her beauty has bedazzled me!
That this king should ever truly love was unforeseen
But she is splendid, and now I know … I’ve found my queen.
Ah, I have seen the wonders of this world
But wonders pale in elegance beside this girl!
Tho’ I own all she sees, yet she possesses me,
And she possesses more that merely beauty.
Tho’ I own all she sees, yet she possesses me!
And she possesses more than all the wonders of the World combined
With just her beauty!
A queen! A queen! A royal beauty!
A queen! A queen! Our queen forever!
A queen, a star sent down from heaven!
Esther, Esther, the Queen of Persia!
Esther, the star of Xerxes eye.
Esther, Esther the jewel of Persia!
A diamond dropped down from the sky!
A queen! A queen! He’s found a queen!
A queen! A queen! A royal beauty!
So dance and shout and jump and sing:
The King’s decree becomes our duty!
Esther, Esther, the Queen of Persia!
Esther, the star of Xerxes eye. Esther,
Esther the jewel of Persia!
A diamond dropped down from the sky!
A queen! A queen! He’s found a queen!
A queen! A queen! A royal beauty!
A queen! We’ll love our queen forever!
She is a star sent down from heaven!
Esther, Esther, the Queen of Persia!
Esther, the star of Xerxes eye.
Esther, Esther the jewel of Persia!
Forever we will praise her name on high.
Forever we will praise her name on high.
Esther! Esther! The Queen! Our star!
Forever we will praise her name on high!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, now bow to Haman! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, it’s Haman!
Haman! Haman! Hey, it’s Haman!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, now bow to Haman!
That was Haman! Haven’t you heard we’ve been commanded to bow to him?
Why do you break the King’s command? This Haman is not a happy man.
When he sees you do not bow, it will not be well for you!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, it’s Haman! Haman! Haman! Hey, it’s Haman!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, now bow to Haman! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, it’s Haman!
Haman! Haman! Hey, it’s Haman!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, now bow to Haman!
Why doesn’t he bow to me
When all the kingdom kowtows to me? Why does that one man not bend his knee,
When the King’s agreed that all must bow to me, Haman!
You say you want us to bow to you,
But you really want us to worship you.
Well, I’ll only worship God, I’ll not worship a fool!
And you better think again if you think that I will ever bow to you, Haman!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, it’s Haman! Haman! Haman! Hey, it’s Haman!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, now bow to Haman! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, it’s Haman!
Haman! Haman! Hey, it’s Haman!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, now bow to Haman!
Haman: Who is that traitor to the throne who will not do as the King commands?
First Servant: He is a Jew, an Israelite who was brought here after the Babylonian conflict.
I see that your fathers’ bad blood runs true. You smite the feeble and weary too.
Well, the blood of my slain fathers runs through my veins too.
So my knees cannot bend and my head can not bow to an evil serpent like you, Haman!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, it’s Haman! Haman! Haman! Hey, it’s Haman!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, now bow to Haman! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, it’s Haman!
Haman! Haman! Hey, it’s Haman!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, now bow to Haman!
Why does that Jew still not reverence me? He’ll feel my wrath for his brash misdeed!
Too proud to bow down your head or bend you knee?
You’ll see! In this kingdom I will destroy all of Israel’s seed! I’m Haman!
Why did that Jew still not reverence me? He’ll feel my wrath for his brash misdeed!
Too proud to bow down your head or bend you knee?
You’ll see! In this kingdom I will destroy all of Israel’s seed! I’m Haman!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, it’s Haman! Haman! Haman! Hey, it’s Haman!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, now bow to Haman! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, it’s Haman!
Haman! Haman! Hey, it’s Haman!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, now bow to Haman! Haman! Haman! Haman!
Should I have bowed along with the crowd,
So his eyes would not have been drawn to me? Hear me! Hear me!
I followed Thy first commandment!
I plead with Thee, do not abandon this people, Whose only desire is to honor thee!
Whose only desire is to honor thee!
For Thou art the Master and none can withstand Thy pow’r!
Come save Thy cov’nant people in our darkest hour!
My God, my God, my God!
It was not insolence or arrogance
That made me not bow to that infidel. Hear me! Hear me!
I would have bowed to his conceit. I would have even kissed his feet
If it would have meant safety for Israel!
If it would have meant safety for Israel!
But Thou art the Master and none can withstand Thy pow’r!
Come save Thy cov’nant people in our darkest hour!
My God, God of Abraham!
Hear my prayer, I ask thee to spare The children of Abraham!
Hear me! Hear me!
For men are seeking our ruin!
Even our children will all be killed soon,
And all for the wrath of an evil man.
And all for the wrath of an evil man.
But Thou art the Master and none can withstand Thy pow’r!
Come save Thy cov’nant people in our darkest hour,!
I plead with Thee do not abandon Thy people in this our darkest hour!
For Thou art the Master and none can withstand Thy pow’r!
Come save Thy cov’nant people in our darkest hour!
I plead with Thee do not abandon Thy people in this our darkest hour!
‘Til a king decreed that he had need of marble so white and fine …
Cedar from Lebanon, gold mined in Sardis,
Carnelian from far away Sogdiana.
All waited patiently to fill their destiny
Joined together at just the right time.
Long before that king was born, Egyptian men planted a little tree.
Days passed, years passed, finally at last, call came from Susa for Ebony.
Elements from kingdoms near, kingdoms far,
Each plays their own part to fashion such beauty.
Could this apply to me? What is my destiny?
O God, my Father, now hear my plea:
Why have I come? What is my purpose here?
Is there a mission that I must complete?
Is there a plan, and if so, what is my part?
Oh, give me, Father, the answers I need.
Was I foreordained to be sent to this land?
Was this beauty given to soften the man
And halt this extermination?
Could it be I that the Lord has provided
To help to save our nation?
Is this why I’ve come? Is this my purpose here?
Is this my mission on earth to complete?
Is there a plan, and if so, is this my part?
Oh, give me, Father, the answers I need.
God does not predestine each step of man
But He knows the end, He knows how we began.
He knows each person’s power.
If we send up our plea, upon bended knee,
our role can be discovered.
This is why I’ve come! This is my purpose here!
This is the mission that I must complete!
For there is a plan, and now that I know my part,
Father in Heaven will give me the courage I need.
Father in Heaven will give me the courage I need.
And if I perish, I perish.
We need Thy pow’r – a miracle!
Father, in fasting, Thy faithful now plead with Thee.
Father, we bend ourselves and use a tool that Thou gave man in ancient days.
When fasting we loose ties with earth, and heaven’s pow’r is poured out as we pray.
A symbol of our greatest need: We offer up our whole soul as a gift to Thee.
Now loose the bands of wickedness.
Undo this heavy burden and let Thine oppressed go free.
At times we have fasted for healing,
at times to resist temptation.
When death’s come we’ve fasted to feel
Thy balm But now we fast for the life of our nation.
Father, help us! For man alone can not fight this decree.
We need thy pow’r – a miracle!
Father, in fasting, Thy faithful now plead with Thee.
Who says there is no reward for being bad?
Who has the king promoted?
You!
On whom does the king rely?
It’s you!
He’s placed me above all the princes he loves
‘Cause he sees that I’m such a great guy!
Oh, all the honor in the kingdom is mine!
It’s coming to me, ’cause I’m workin’ overtime!
I may have started at the bottom rung of the ladder when I was young,
But I’m havin’ fun, just see how your man has climbed!
Who’s got the best-dressed camels?
Haman!
Who’s got the biggest rings?
Haman!
Who’s got more gold than Fort Knox can hold?
You!
And whose got more stuff than the
shh!
King?
Hey, all the honor in the kingdom is mine!
It’s coming to me, ’cause I’m workin’ overtime!
You can bet my eyes are always peeled
for a quick and easy money deal.
I say that is smart, some might say that it’s a crime.
And tell me, who’s got more children?
No one!
And tell me, who’s more of a man?
Who is more feared? Who’s more revered?
Just point the man out if you can!
Hey, all the honor in the kingdom is mine!
It’s coming to me, ’cause I’m workin’ overtime!
The palace jumps at my command. Baby, I’m a powerful man!
Yeah, I’m on the top, Baby, I’m in my prime.
Who did the queen ask to dinner?
It was just me and the King!
No princes allowed! No royalty crowd!
And tomorrow she wants the same thing! Yeah!
All the honor in the kingdom is mine!
It’s coming to me, ’cause I’m workin’ overtime!
And if the King should happen to be betrayed, and suddenly pass away.
Never fear! I am here! You know who’s the next in line.
Hey, ’cause all the honor in this kingdom is mine!
On a few good loyal irreplaceable men.
And since you asked, oh King, I’ll try, but I’m not sure I’ve ever given thought to
How you’d honor one you’d wish to commend.
First how important is this man to you?
I owe him my life!
Then you should give him clothes so he can dress as you do.
You shouldn’t let this man run ragged all through the town.
Next give him your horse and then the royal crown.
Give him clothes, great clothes with designer tags.
Give him your own horse – you don’t need that nag!
And if he really is your pal,
I think you should give him the crown royal.
For this is a man you wish to honor!
Don’t skimp! Give him shrimp and caviar!
If this is a man to whom you want to show your thanks,
You must unlock your treasure reservoir.
Give him clothes, your horse and the royal crown …
You should really give more than just hand-me-downs!
We wouldn’t want you known as a tight-wad king!
Better give him a Cartier diamond ring!
For this is the man you wish to honor!
We’ve got to bring your gifts and things up to specs.
If this is a man to whom you want to show your thanks,
He better get a lovely Rolodex.
This is not a job to be slovenly done.
Get a prince – Yes! – one of your noble ones.
Have him march ahead of this man on the street
And proclaim to everyone that they meet:
That “This man the King delights to honor.”
Next best thing to the King. Get my drift?
If this is a man to whom you want to show your thanks,
Better give him a humongous, precious, golden, exotic, blue-chip, red-hot gift!
Get my drift?
(reprise)
Oh, this man the King delights to honor
I don’t know why this Mordecai should get such gifts.
Yes This is a man to whom the King now shows his thanks,
So he gets a Rolls-Royce royal lift
I should have bit my tongue
Who’d have thought that I would ever be so dumb!
Now I’m stuck going up and down the avenue
Parading this arrogant, insolent Jew!
Yes, this man the King delights to honor.
I could just kick that royal thick and sleepy head!
Yes, this is a man to whom the King wants to show thanks,
But what I want is to see him dead.
Yes, this is a man to whom the King wants to show thanks,
But what I want is to see him dead.
But what made me think I could ever put my trust in him?
He bowed and smiled, his King beguiled,
And I bit! How could I have known the evil that he hid by guile? I trusted him!
And oh, what should I do now? I know he is a powerful man.
If he has friends who could kill every Persian Jew
Then they could surely kill me too
I can’t believe I ever put my trust in him!
(Haman) Please pretty queen, pity, pity, pity me
Have mercy, dear queen, pretty pretty pretty please.
I never meant to hurt you – no! So you are a Jewess, how could I know?
I’ve had a hard life, oh, pity, pity me
Have mercy on me, pretty, pretty, pretty please.
I had a miserable childhood. If I had been loved I know I’d now be good!
Please, queen, please, queen! See I’m on my knees queen!
Oh — help me! You alone can save me! Do you know what he plans to do?
I’ve never seen him quite so Mad. Help me!
(King) He wants to be King – more than anything!
That’s his plan! I can see it now! He lays the traps he pulls the strings,
He kills the Jews! My Esther too!
I was blind! Can a king be wrong? And now I’m left with what to do. I trusted him!
And oh, what else has he done? Who knows if he has other plans?
I must rid myself of his scheming head Or else one day I’ll wake up dead
I can’t believe I ever put my trust in him!
Please pretty queen, pity, pity, pity me,
Have mercy dear queen, pretty pretty pretty please.
I really think I should leave this land …
Do you think that that could be your Royal Reprimand?
Oh, I’ve had a hard life, oh, pity, pity me!
Have mercy on me, pretty, pretty pretty please.
Perhaps I have made a poor choice or two
The King may see things that he might misconstrue.
Oh, please queen, please queen, again I’m on my knees queen!
Oh, help me! You alone can save me!
Tell the King I am “born again”! I’ll be a model citizen:
No tricks, no bribes, no stratagem.
Help me! Help me! Help me! Help me!
Who delivered Isr’el from the pharaoh’s land?
Who delivered Daniel from the lion’s power?
And who now delivers us in our darkest hour?
The God of Heaven is the one who can save
When we are in trouble we call on his name.
The mighty are powerless – no match for our faith.
Our God hears our prayers and our God can save.
Jew: And you Lieutenant, do you fight for or against the Jews?
Lieutenant: The fame of Mordecai’s power has reached every province of Persia.
When the chronicles are written, I want it recorded that I was one who helped the Jews. I will stand with you.
“Murder and then plunder” was Haman’s decree.
But we touch not the spoils of our enemies.
In this month our adversaries hoped to destroy …
But mourning’s changed to happiness, and sorrow’s turned to joy.
Who delivered Jacob out of Esau’s hand?
Who delivered Isr’el from the pharaoh’s land?
Who delivered Daniel from the lion’s power?
And who now delivers us in our darkest hour?
The God of Heaven is the one who can save
When we are in trouble we call on his name.
The mighty are powerless – no match for our faith.
Our God hears our prayers and our God can save.
Who delivered Jacob out of Esau’s hand?
Who delivered Isr’el from the pharaoh’s land?
Who delivered Daniel from the lion’s power?
And who now delivers us in our darkest hour?
The God of Heaven is the one who can save
When we are in trouble we call on his name.
The mighty are powerless – no match for our faith!
Our God hears our prayers and our God can save.
Our God hears our prayers and our God can save.
Let there be letters sent to all the Jews, near and far, to all the provinces of the King. On the fourteenth and fifteenth day of the month of Adar, the Jews were saved from their enemies, and their sorrow was changed to joy, their mourning to happiness. Let these days be kept as a holiday every year, days of feasting and joy, of exchanging gifts and giving Zedakah to the poor.
And write a letter in the Queen’s name, that these days should be remembered and observed by each family in every generation, in every city and province, so that the memory of the days of Purim never cease among the children of Israel.
Blessed art Thou, our God, who heard our pleas.
Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, avenging Israel,
Punishing our foes and bitter enemies.
Blessed art Thou who delivers thy people.
Lord God, Thy name we will praise.
For Thou art a God who saves.
For Thou art a God who saves.
Who delivered Jacob out of Esau’s hand?
Who delivered Isr’el from the pharaoh’s land?
Who delivered Daniel from the lion’s power?
And who now delivers us in our darkest hour?
The God of Heaven is the one who can save
When we are in trouble we call on his name.
The mighty are powerless – no match for our faith.
Our God hears our prayers and our God can save.
Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the universe.
Blessed art Thou, oh God, who heard our pleas.
Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, avenging Israel,
Punishing our foes and bitter enemies.
Blessed art Thou who delivers thy people
Lord God, Thy name we will praise
For Thou art a God who saves
For Thou art a God who saves
For Thou art a God who saves.