Carousel, Act II: Incidental (Entrance of Heavenly Friends)

Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II Music: Richard Rodgers "(Julie and Nettie kneel in prayer. The Two Heavenly Friends enter and cross to Billy.) First Heavenly Friend (spoken) Get up. Billy (straightening up) (spoken) Who are you? Second Heavenly Friend (spoken) Shake yourself up. Got to get goin’. Billy (looking up at them and turning front, still sitting) (spoken) Goin’? Where? First Heavenly Friend (spoken) Never mind where. Important thing is you can’t stay here. Billy (turning left, looks at Julie) (spoken) Julie! First Heavenly Friend (spoken) She can’t hear you. Billy (spoken) Who decided that? First Heavenly Friend (spoken) You did. When you killed yourself. (A curtain of stars comes down.) Billy (spoken) I see! So it’s over! First Heavenly Friend (spoken) It isn’t as simple as that. As long as there is one person on earth who remembers you – it isn’t over. Billy (spoken) What are you goin’ to do to me? First Heavenly Friend (spoken) We weren’t goin’ to do anything. We jest came down to fetch you – take you up to the jedge. Billy (spoken) Judge! I’m goin’ before the Lord God himself? First Heavenly Friend (spoken) What hev you ever done that you should come before Him? Billy (his anger rising) (spoken) So, that’s it. Just like Jigger said – ‘No supreme court for little people – just perlice magistrates!’ First Heavenly Friend (spoken) Who said anything about...? Billy (spoken) I tell you, if they kick me around up there like they did down on earth, I’m goin’ to do somethin’ about it! I’m dead and I got nothin’ to lose. I’m goin’ to stand up for my rights! I tell you, I’m goin’ before the Lord God Himself – straight to the top! Y’hear? First Heavenly Friend (spoken) Simmer down, Billy. Simmer down."