Addison's Trip - Stephen Sondheim

I’m on my way

Look, Mama, on my own!

I lost my way

That was just an episode

I’m on my way

Off to worlds I’ve never known

I’m looking for my road

Let Willie stay

I mean, Willie’s found his niche

I have to say

We were getting just too entwined

But that’s okay

And so what if I don’t get rich?

I’m on my way to find

My road!

Aloha, Mr. Mizner!

Welcome to Hawaii!

Congratulations, you just bought yourself

a half share in United Pineapple

Great!

Unfortunately, the pineapple plantation just caught on fire…

Souvenir

Of your visit to Hawaii

Souvenir

So the memory will stay in your mind

Souvenir

Of the day you say goodbye-ee

Souvenir

For the girl you left behind

Native spear

Just a little setback, Mama

Buy it here!

Little setbacks are allowed

Souvenir

By the time I get back

You’ll be proud

I’m on my way

Discouraged not at all!

I’m on my way

To I don’t care where or when

A brand new day

And a brand new port of call

I’m on my way again

A small delay

Doesn’t shake my confidence

I’m on my way

To discover who I am

And on my way

I’ve acquired experience

Plus a rattan stool from a native hut

A candle stand made of coconut

A whatnot made out of God knows what

I’m on my way again

Hot damn!

Congratulations, Mr. Meizner, you just became a full time partner in Bombay’s

Emporium of Precious Gems!

Great!

Unfortunately, the Emporium was just hit by a cyclone!

Sahib like a chair

With inscription of a swami

Something very rare

Made for rajah, only one of a kind

How about a pear?

One for daddy, one for mommy?

Don’t you care

For the girl you left behind?

Chandelier—

I’ve still got resources, Mama

For your dear?

And I’m learning as I go

Souvenir

Failing merely forces you to grow

I’m on my way

At sea, but far from wrecked

I went astray

As who doesn’t, now and then?

But on my way

I’ve acquired some self-respect

Plus an old stone jug and a fakir’s rug

A chandelier that’s a bitch to lug

And a rattan stool and a coconut

And a whatnot which wasn’t worth it, but

I’m on my way again

Again!

Congratulations, Mr. Mizner, you are now co-owner of Hong Kong’s premiere

fireworks manufactory

Great!

Unfortunately…

Souvenir

Can’t go empty handed

Blue veneer

Very hard to find

Gift to cheer

Missy feeling stranded

Missy who you left behind…

Souvenir

Souvenir

I’ve half a dozen letters

To mail you

Don’t worry, Mama

I won’t fail you

I’m in my way

It’s a bit disheartening

I’m in my way

Still, I’m doing as I please

Facing life’s adversities…

I’ve got lots of memories…

Plus a Ming tureen

Made of opaline

A ten foot scroll

And a lacquered screen

And a chandelier

And a swami’s chair

And a sense that worse is to come, but where—?

In Guatemala

Where everyone feels hot and free

Enjoy your stay in Guatemala

The land of sensuality!

Well, that’s it.

That’s all the money I’ve got left, now I know you can’t

guarantee me a sure thing—

As a matter of fact, Mr. Mizner, that is precisely what I can guarantee you.

The coffee business of Guatemala is a cartel, controlled by the same wealthy

families that control the government.

So frankly, unless we have a revolution—

Revolution!

This is ridiculous… Where am I going?

What am I doing?

(sung)

I give up!

(spoken)

Two years, halfway around the world, and what have I got to show for it?

Embarrassment!

Humiliation!

Malaria!

(sung)

And a gilded mirror, an iron trunk

And a statue carved by a Spanish monk

And a ton of other assorted junk!

(spoken)

Boys, be bold?

Your path is clear?

Tuh, the only thing that’s clear is, no matter what I try, I make a big,

fat fool out of myself

I’m sorry, Papa, I know I said I’d make you and Mama proud.

I know you said

there was a road out there, somewhere, even for me

Well, maybe there is, Papa, but I’ve looked everywhere, and I. Can’t.

Find it

(sung)

No, they all seem out of place…

Now it all looks too compressed…

What I need to have is space

That holds crucifixes, a Bombay chest

A temple bell, and a condor’s nest

And commodes and mirrors and all the rest

I’ll need a hundred rooms!

…So I’ll make a hundred rooms…

Give the Chinese scroll an entire wall

The gilded mirror a separate hall

Build an atrium for the chandelier

Give the rug a room with some atmosphere!

Build a marble niche for the Ming tureen

And a mezzanine for the lacquered screen!

And an archway here!

And a skylight there!

Until everything has a place somewhere!

I’ll build a goddamn house!

I’m on my way!