Stephen Schwartz — The Sound of Love

[DAVID, spoken] How does the music get onto the gramophone, Ben? [BEN] You just sing into this horn. [DAVID] Sing? What should I sing? [BEN] Sing anything! [DAVID, sung] I am singing here In this gramophone Like an idiot Is how I feel [BEN, spoken] There! Now you can play it back on this machine! [DAVID] That's all there is to it? [BEN] Yeah that's all! [MORRIS' MOTHER] Don't dawdle Morris, Grandma Tilly is waiting! [DAVID, RECORDING] I am singing here In this gramophone Like an idiot Is how I feel [MORRIS, spoken] Mama! That little boy, he was singing into that machine! [BEN] He's making a record [DAVID] For my mother! [MORRIS' MOTHER & BEN] For your mother? [DAVID] Yes, uh, she's uh, she's [BEN] Very sick (sung) She feels terrible [DAVID] Terrible! [BEN] Lying all alone [DAVID] So alone! [BEN] Crying cause her boy is gone! [DAVID, spoken] I have to work [BEN] But on her gramophone [BEN & DAVID] Yes she owns a gramophone! [BEN] She hears his voice [DAVID] She loves my voice! [BEN] And in his voice she finds the...what? [DAVID] The will, the courage [BEN] Yes! The courage to go on [BEN & DAVID] and on and on and... [MORRIS' MOTHER] That sounds wonderful! [BEN] Doesn't it? [MORRIS' MOTHER] Truly wonderful! [BEN] Wasn't it? [MORRIS' MOTHER] How much did you say that it was? [BEN] 25 dollars! [MORRIS' MOTHER] So much? [BEN] Yes, but think Missus of your Morris Soon he'll be gone and grown Gone off to work, or worse, a girl of his own! [MORRIS' MOTHER] Oh! [BEN] Think how the years are flying {MORRIS' MOTHER] Flying! [BEN] Fast like the birds above [MORRIS' MOTHER] Faster than the birds above [BEN] Don't just stand there sighing [DAVID] Now you'll have joy undying [BEN] Think, Missus, what you're buying [DAVID] Think, Missus, of that [BEN & DAVID] One special sound Here comes that sound Hark to the sound! [BEN] Of love! [MORRIS, RECORDING] I am singing here In this gramophone Mama, I dedicate This song to you! [MORRIS' MOTHER, spoken] To me? I'll take it! [BEN, sung] Come... See my magic music machine Step right on over to your old buddy, Ben I'm here to show how American know-how Means that you're never lonely again! Gather round, you'll see what I mean There's room for everyone, you don't have to shove! And to proceed, folks All that we need, folks One volunteer Ooh, here's one right here To bring you "The Sound of Love" (instrumental) Here's my magic music machine It ain't no blarney when I tell ya it's great! [DAVID] Tis an old country tune That I croon 'neath the moon For my mama! [WOMAN] Anymore there? [SHOPPERS] For her mama! [IRISH TENOR] O, cara Mama! How I love you Mama! You hear me singing I love you Mama! [SHOPPERS] Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama - what a machine! [BEN] What a machine! [SHOPPERS] The newest wonder of a wonderful age! [MORRIS' MOTHER] Hey Mr. Edison! Thanks for the medicine! [BEN] Grazie, Signora Faith and Begorrah! Stop with the hora! Send your friends for a sample of... The sound of love!