Gah! Lyrics!

That's right, a useless post composed of someone else's words.

I went to see the workshop version of Catch Me If You Can (the musical) at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle last weekend. It was remarkably good, not just for a work in progress, but for a working musical. I think I may go see it again, actually.

"Fly, Fly Away" is the big show-stopper number; it comes near the end of the second act. Frank's girlfriend has been cornered by the FBI and they're trying to get her to give them the information they need to catch him. These may or may not be the official lyrics by the time this show gets to Broadway; they usually go through a few iterations before the lyricist settles on the "official" version of the song. Although it isn't actually my favorite number from the show, it is powerful. (You can now see both Kerry Butler's and Shoshana Bean's versions of the song on YouTube; I prefer either of these over the official version because they're simpler -- just voice and piano -- and do a better job of showing off the song to best advantage.)

Men who you call real were really fakes who left me nothing
But this man you call a fake gave me something real
I've known cruel, cruel men with Christian names that taught me manners
But this man without a name taught me how to feel
People only saw the doctor, lawyer, Indian chief
But he was just a lonely little boy to me
With his sweet and gentle touch he sure unlocked my soul
So in return I surely want to help to set him free
Yeah, now I wanna see him fly, fly
I'll be your alibi, my baby
Fly, fly, fly away
We didn't get to say goodbye, goodbye
No need to tell me why, my baby
Maybe it's because you'll fly back home to me one day

When I was a child, my eyes were clear, I saw the good side
That's the kind of second sight that doesn't last too long
Then when I was lost, I heard a voice that brought me healing
That's the kind of special hope he brought me with his song
They only saw the magic tricks, the smoke and mirrors
Was I the only one to ever see the boy?
So now they want to clip his precious wings and bring him down
But in his heart and soul's the kind of good they can't destroy
So now I wanna see him fly, fly
I'll be your alibi, my baby
Fly, fly, fly away
We didn't get to say goodbye, goodbye
No need to tell me why, my baby
Maybe it's because you'll fly back home to me one day

Baby, when you're in the clouds, please keep a lookout
Maybe, darling, find a hideaway for you and I, you and I

Then you'll see him fly, fly
I'll be your alibi, my baby
Fly, fly, fly away
We didn't get to say goodbye, goodbye
No need to tell me why, my baby
Maybe it's because you'll fly back home to me one day
And I'll be waiting for you there
You'll fly back home to me one day