The year is 500 B.C. in the glorious Persian Empire. A grand royal feast has been going on for around 6 months, but now for a week it opens to the public in the capital of Shushan. The reigning king is King Xerxes or more faithfully in Persian, King Khashayar. The servants sing about how lavish the feast is but the king isn't impressed yet. SERVANT 1: Cm G Welcome all people to the feast! Cm G From all the greatest to the least! Ab G The banquet's open now to all Shushan Ab G For 7 days, you’ll feel just oh sooooooo grand... [musical interlude] Cm - G - Cm - G Ab - G - Ab - G G - Fm - G SERVANT 2: G Long live King Khashayar, (a.k.a. King Xerxes) Ab Fm G The mighty Persian Empire! S3 G See the splendour of his reign Ab Fm G and majesty we admire! S4 G Persia and Media Ab Fm G How radiant is your glory S5 G A hundred twenty-seven states Ab Fm G so great with wonders and stories [repeat with ensemble] S6 G A hundred twenty-seven states Ab Fm G so great with wonders and stories [musical interlude] G - Fm - G - Ab - G - Fm - G S7 Cm G Come drink the neverending wine, Cm G In cups of gold with own designs! G1 Ab G (what?) I didn't know your cup's not the same as mine! Ab G Show it to me... Gasp wow! One of a kind! SERVANTS: Ab G The greatest feast on earth we shall provide Ab G Come let us serve you till you're satisfied Cm G Behold the royal garden view! Cm G With curtains cotton white and blue! Ab G They’re fastened to fine linen purple cords Ab G To silver rings on marble-made supports! Cm G Recline on gold and silver beds Cm G On pavement blue, white, black..... and red! Ab G Praise to the royal throne in great Shushan Ab G And to the rulers of our many lands S8 G Long live King Khashayar, Ab Fm G A king we truly admire. S9 & S8 G 3 fine years he’s ruled and reigned Ab Fm G his big and noble empire! S10 & S9 G Persia and Media Ab Fm G Come join in our celebration S8, S9, S10 G From Ind(ia) to Eth(io)pia, Ab Fm G How vast and valiant our nation! [repeat with ensemble] [musical interlude] G - Fm - G - Ab - G - Fm - G S1: Cm G Today's the last day of our feast Cm G My king I trust that you are pleased! SERVANTS Ab G This feast cannot get better; no siree! Ab G Thanks to your royal throne and majesty KING KHASHAYAR: G Did you mean you’ve shown the best of our wealth and elegance? SERVANTS: Cm G No, your majesty! KING KHASHAYAR: G So there’s one part they’ve yet to see: The beauty of my Queen Vashti SERVANTS: Cm G Beautiful is she!

The king calls upon his queen, Vashthi, to appear to be shown off to the crowd on the feast's final day, building up grand expectations from the feast-goers, but alas, due to whatever unknown reason, she refuses to show up and a ruckus is caused. KING KHASHAYAR: [spoken] My loyal servants, announce the queen’s arrival! Mehuman! (drum solo) Harvona! (drum solo) Bizta & Bigta (drum solo) Zetar & Avagta (drum solo) Karkas SERVANTS: G Fm Cm Khashayar Shah Khashayar Shah Khashayar Fm G Shah Khashayar the Great [repeat x3] KING KHASHAYAR: Cm G Now everyone you’re ‘bout to gaze... Cm G Upon the most enchanting face, Ab G of no one other than my Queen Vashti Ab G with royal crown so everyone can see... [musical interlude, during which the servants go fetch Queen Vashti This musical interlude has been building up from the start and will continue to build up until the end] G - Fm - G - Ab - G - Fm - G S2: Cm G The queen declines my king’s request, Cm G please know we tried our very best G2 Ab G it seems she’d rather with her ladies be Ab G than show her face for everyone to see KING KHASHAYAR: G Is this a joke? I’m not amused! Now all the folks will be confused! SERVANTS & DANCERS: Cm G Please, your majesty! KING KHASHAYAR: G Why can’t the queen show up at least?! Now what's the meaning of this feast? SERVANTS & DANCERS: Cm G Wait, your majesty! [musical interlude and outro] G - Fm - G - Ab - G - Fm - G

The king's seven male advisors/sages come up with a solution to deal with the rebellious behavior of the queen (and by extension all women in the kingdom). They propose to banish the queen and write some royal decrees to further strengthen the patriarchal society. KING KHASHAYAR: C Bbm C Oh do I feel such a pain inside! C Bbm C Feel like a part of my soul just died! F Bbm C My anger rages! Bbm F C My clever sages... C Bbm C What does the law say about her deed? C Bbm C Should things be done or shall I concede? F Bbm C She dares oppose me! Bbm F C Alas, oh woe is me... C My most important men Need you to show me the way... Karshna, Shetar, Admata, Tarshish, Meres, Marsna, Memukhan, what’d you say? MEMUCAN: C Bbm C This is a deed not to be dismissed! C Bbm C Now every wife will fight and resist F Bbm C Destroying order Bbm F C Within your borders! C Bbm C Women are going to say, “Oh my C Bbm C If the queen did that, then so can I! F Bbm C Nobody owns me! Bbm F C I can dethrone thee.” C And every noblewoman in Shushan Will think they can demand from every man And argue night and day And not heed anything your officials say Chaos will brood throughout the land Affliction as heavy as sand ALL SEVEN SAGES: C Bbm C This is a deed not to be dismissed! C Bbm C Now every wife will fight and resist F Bbm C Destroying order Bbm F C Within your borders! C Bbm C Women are going to say, “Oh my C Bbm C If the queen did that, then so can I! F Bbm C Nobody owns me! Bbm F C I can dethrone thee.” MEMUCAN: C The so-called Queen Vashti has not only disgraced Your Majesty but also all the nobles of Shushan and all the peoples in all the lands... SAGES INTERRUPT EACH OTHER (including... the army, the ministers, the servants, the officials, the eunuchs, and your friends) MEMUCAN: ENOUGH! C Bbm C If my king pleases, then let’s proceed C Bbm C Writing a new law to be decreed F Bbm C An ultimatum Bbm F C To warn all madams Vashti to no longer be our queen Banished for life from the royal scene F Bbm C She shall not enter Bbm F C Left, right or center! C When your majesty makes the decree And is announced throughout the high and low of the land Then each wife will certainly see That she needs to honour her man SAGES: Fm C So do away with “queen” Vashti Fm C and find a better wife than she! Dbm C And let another take her royal stance Dbm C and ever prosper in your regal glance C Someone better than she Fm Someone sweet with humility Bbm C Db C - Db - C Someone people will see and say, she’s a graceful delight! C Someone kind in her words Fm Someone gentle just like a bird Bbm C Db Fm Someone that you will love above any other in sight.

As usual with royal matters, the decision by the king and his sages is made into law, translated into every language of the land, and sent out to everybody through the royal messengers. KING KHASHAYAR: C This is a really good idea It’s time that Vashti disappears SERVANTS: Fm C (Yes, we all agree!) KING KHASHAYAR: C Decree this new law from Shushan In every language of the land SERVANTS: Fm C (Yes, immediately!) C - Fm - C - Db - C - Fm - C [musical interlude] SCRIBES: Fm C Vasthi is banished from the throne! Fm C Now let this law be set in stone, Db C And let the man be head of family Db C and every one shall fear authority

The king remembers his ex-queen and is sad, but his servants remind him of the next steps that will be taken shortly to find a new queen: By gathering each and every beautiful eligible virgin from every corner of the kingdom (whether they like it or not)! The king approves the execution of this plan and his servants and authorities get working on it. This piece was recorded live with the flamenco maestro Marcyo Bonefon, with only one singer singing all the parts. Follow the lyrics for better comprehension. KING KHASHAYAR: E Oh my ex-queen Vashti Am Why did you have to hurt me Dm E Since the law can’t be just reversed F E - F - E You can never return E Wasn’t Vashti the best? Am Of all women, who can contest? Dm E Now there’s no one to own her throne, F Am And I’m getting concerned! SERVANTS: E Am E Am Hold on, not yet, all’s well, don’t fret! Dm Am E We understand it’s hard competing with Vashti Dm Am E But it’s our duty to provide a better she A E Let there be young virgins, D E beautiful and pure, A E and let the one that pleases you D E be forever yours. F#m F#m/F My king, appoint each man F#m7 D to gather hand-in-hand A E the situation’s urgent D E to gather virgins G D Esus4 E from each and every state in the land A Amaj7 And place them in your fortress A7 Amaj7 into the women’s quarters. A Amaj7 We know who will take good care of them A7 Amaj7 (Hegai) F#m F#m/F And there will they be purified F#m7 B7 And there will they be beautified F#m B7 And then will they be qualified D Esus4 to enter into your eyes! E Someone that you will love Am Someone pure as a turtledove Dm E F E - F - E Someone people will see and say, she’s a grand work of art! E Someone better than best Am Shining brighter than all the rest Dm E F E - F - E Someone people will compliment, she’s the sweetest of hearts! E Am Let’s start, the search E Am Let one, emerge Dm Am E A proper queen that glorifies your majesty KING KHASHAYAR: Dm Am E Let’s commence the search for someone meant for me! [instrumental] E (continued) - Am - E - Am - E - C - E - Am - C - E, etc.. end with E

Eventually, after going through hundreds if not thousands of women to be his queen, the king has just experienced the best night of his life, with a girl named Esther. KING (VERSE 1) - C C F Gm G What is this thing I’m feeling C F Gsus4 G A new melody to dance and sing Am Am7 Gently, gracefully, joyfully F Fmaj7 You’ve come to me Am Am7 Could it be, you and me? Suddenly E F - E That’s all I see F Fmaj7 b Me and you, breaking through, something new Am Has just begun Gsus4 G (scroll) Could this be true? C You’re second-to-none! PRE-CHORUS 1 G# When my eyes meet with yours D# A desire occurs Gm G# A feeling I cannot deny Fm When our lips touch and kiss, Cm7 I feel heavenly bliss, A# D# Your beauty just blessing my eyes! ESTHER (CHORUS 1): G# A# I see your face D# C is shining like the sun G# A# C-Cmaj7 A bright day has just begun G# A# Cm C7 Feeling so right in your arms G# A# C-Cmaj7 Tonight, let us be as one KING (VERSE 2) G# C# D#m D# (scroll) What is this thing you’re bringing? G# C# D#sus4 D# A song no one else could write or sing! ESTHER: Fm Fm7 Circumstance, time and chance, holding hands C# C#maj7 Beautifully Fm Fm7 No demands, learned to dance on the sands C C# - C Of destiny C# C#maj7 Though I try, rain or shine, can’t deny Fm What’s meant to be D#sus4 D# There’s much more beyond F (change capo; scroll) What two eyes can see KING (PRE-CHORUS 2) Oh but E When my eyes meet with yours B Then my whole spirit soars D#m E A joy washes all over me C#m When your hand is in mine G#m7 I feel more than divine F# B Truly just destined to be! [modulate] HARMONIZE: G When I’m deep in your love, D Then we soar high above, F#m G Above every mountain and sea! Em When you take my embrace Bm7 I am lost in your grace A7 D (scroll) A taste of your love sets me free! KING (CHORUS 2): G A I see your face D B is glowing like the moon G A D I’ll surely miss you soon HARMONIZE: G A Bm B7 Feeling so right in your arms! G A C-Cmaj7 Tonight, we’re in perfect tune ESTHER: G A Bm B7 Thank you for all you do KING: G A7 C-Cmaj7 I think that I love you

Eventually, a new genocidical law was made by the villain, and Queen Esther is faced with the choice to risk her own life to save her people, as the penalty for approaching the king's throne without warning, even for the queen, is death. Her final request is, fast for her. === INTRO === [Actor's notes] Mordecai has just urged Esther to see the king, as perhaps she has become queen for such a time as this. This song is Esther’s response to that, and in the beginning she ponders and sings quietly, as she knows seeing the king uninvited comes with a death penalty, and 30 days has passed since she was called to see the king, so her life is at stake. [Esther] Will I give my life to save my people? Will I live or will my death await? Do I have the strength to face this evil? Am I willing to accept my fate? Am I willing to accept my fate? === VERSE === [Actor's notes] Here Esther is ruminating on the fact that she most probably was going to die, and so for this verse you could sing quietly & emotionally. [Esther] And I'll die should the king lift not his hand [Actor's notes] This thought could be quite sad as the king was supposed to be her lover. And I'll perish by the writing of the land Do you know what you're asking for? [Actor's notes] This thought could also be quite heavy as Mordecai was her uncle, and so she is pondering on whether he understood that she could die. [short musical interlude] [Actor's notes] In this verse, she is starting to accept her fate, so she starts to sing more stoically and more determined-ly. And I'll die should the king so want or choose And I'll perish if my presence is refused But if I together hold my peace Then my family and I will cease but deliverance shall come to the Jews === CHORUS === [Actor's notes] Now she comes up with her instructions according to what she feels in her spirit that she, her servants, and her people must do. [Esther] Fast for me Together with me And then will I go unto the king Pray for me so that we might see Salvation come like eagles' wings For everyone to see the sun Mustn't run This must be done [Actor's notes] Here she ponders one last time on the possibility of she being the one that has come for such a time as this. Am I the one come for such a time as this? [🎙 means sung simultaneously] [Actor's notes] Here is the switch where she decides that she is one that has come for such a time as this. 🎙 [Esther] I'm the one 🎙 [Mordecai] You're the one [together] come for such a time as this Let us swear, in our plight, that we won't eat or drink, 3 days and nights we’re in this hand in hand, my people in Shushan === MUSICAL INTERLUDE === === VERSES === [Jews - CHOIR] Will this be the end of the Jews? This law, we can’t amend; what to do? We will fast, rest assured, in obedience In this land of the Persians and Medians Though we're weak and our powers are few. [Actor's notes] Here she has accepted her fate, so she sings in a more confident way, as she puts her faith in the fasting and the prayer of her people. 🎙 [Esther] And I'll die should the king so want or choose 🎙 [Jews] Will this be the end of the Jews? 🎙 [Esther] And I'll perish when my presence is refused 🎙 [Jews] This law, we can’t amend; what to do? [together] We will fast, rest assured, in obedience, In this land of the Persians and Medians, 🎙 [Esther] Come what may... 🎙 [Jews] Come what may, night and day, we're with you. === CHORUS === [Esther] Fast for me... [Jews] We're with you [Esther] Together with me.. [Jews] Beside you [Esther] And then will I go unto the king [Jews] Have mercy O king.... [Esther] Pray for me, and then we might see [together] Salvation come like eagles' wings [Esther] For such a time and such a rhyme Now it's prime to stop this crime Time is nigh and so I cry... [Esther] Fast for me... [Jews] We're with you [Esther] Together with me... [Jews] Beside you [Esther] And then will I go unto the king [Jews] Have mercy O king.... [Esther] Pray for me [Esther] And then we might see [together] Salvation come like eagles' wings === future MUSICAL INTERVAL where Esther wears the crown === [Esther] Now my people [Jews] Our queen [Esther] It's time [Jews] May you live and [together] Let deliverance arise [Esther] You have fasted 🎙 [Esther] and prayed that I 🎙 [Jews] we prayed that you [together] will shi-i-i-ine. [Esther] I surrender [Jews] we are with you [Esther] and render [Jews] may you save 🎙 [Esther] my life 🎙 [Jews] our lives