I wrote this for the incomplete song, so I might as well re-post it here:
Traditionally, a passion play is a performance about the life of Jesus Christ. These plays could go for hours over a period of days. During intermissions, a fable would be acted out. "The Story of the Hare Who Lost His Spectacles" fills the role of the fable.
ACT 1
The first half of the song is about a young man named Ronnie Pilgrim who dies. His spirit is allowed to stay on earth for his funeral (most of the attendees show up late). After his funeral, an angel appears and takes Ronnie to the afterlife. Once there, he is taken to a viewing room to be judged. His life is played like a movie, with the projectionist/judge being God, Jesus, or another angel. (The title of the piece is "In the Offices of G. Oddie & Son") Ronnie's achievements are first shown, but he is warned that it's all downhill from there. Ronnie's many shortcomings are then shown. Ronnie attempts to cover for himself, but the judge isn't fooled. The other angels and spiritual being taunt Ronnie at first, but then ask him what it's like to be alive. Ronnie feels all is lost, but the projectionist tells Ronnie he's been accepted. End Act 1
INTERMISSION
It's a simple story of a hare who's lost his glasses. All of his animal friends attempt to come up with a solution, however no one ever asks Hare what he thinks the best solution is. The irony is that Hare already has a solution: a spare set of glasses. The moral: don't meddle in other peoples' business without their request. Fun fact: this segment is narrated/sung by bassist Jeffery Hammond-Hammond, not Ian Anderson.
ACT 2
Ronnie is sitting in heaven and is shocked to find it boring. "Well I'll go to the foot of the stairs" is an English expression equivalent to "well I'll be damned." Ronnie walks up to God and begins chewing Him out, stating that Heaven is no place for people. Ronnie decides to try out Hell, thinking that place might be more fun. God, in a loving manner, lets Ronnie go. Ronnie then meets Lucifer, who explains his existence. Ronnie finds Hell even worse (and Lucifer much worse to be around than God) so he looks for another option. He discovers he can be reincarnated. Ronnie takes the option, and the song winds down with his anxious anticipation of being reborn and the extreme pain of the experience. The song ends with the Passion Play starting again, though it never really stopped. End Act 2 and song.
I wrote this for the incomplete song, so I might as well re-post it here:
Traditionally, a passion play is a performance about the life of Jesus Christ. These plays could go for hours over a period of days. During intermissions, a fable would be acted out. "The Story of the Hare Who Lost His Spectacles" fills the role of the fable.
ACT 1 The first half of the song is about a young man named Ronnie Pilgrim who dies. His spirit is allowed to stay on earth for his funeral (most of the attendees show up late). After his funeral, an angel appears and takes Ronnie to the afterlife. Once there, he is taken to a viewing room to be judged. His life is played like a movie, with the projectionist/judge being God, Jesus, or another angel. (The title of the piece is "In the Offices of G. Oddie & Son") Ronnie's achievements are first shown, but he is warned that it's all downhill from there. Ronnie's many shortcomings are then shown. Ronnie attempts to cover for himself, but the judge isn't fooled. The other angels and spiritual being taunt Ronnie at first, but then ask him what it's like to be alive. Ronnie feels all is lost, but the projectionist tells Ronnie he's been accepted. End Act 1
INTERMISSION It's a simple story of a hare who's lost his glasses. All of his animal friends attempt to come up with a solution, however no one ever asks Hare what he thinks the best solution is. The irony is that Hare already has a solution: a spare set of glasses. The moral: don't meddle in other peoples' business without their request. Fun fact: this segment is narrated/sung by bassist Jeffery Hammond-Hammond, not Ian Anderson.
ACT 2 Ronnie is sitting in heaven and is shocked to find it boring. "Well I'll go to the foot of the stairs" is an English expression equivalent to "well I'll be damned." Ronnie walks up to God and begins chewing Him out, stating that Heaven is no place for people. Ronnie decides to try out Hell, thinking that place might be more fun. God, in a loving manner, lets Ronnie go. Ronnie then meets Lucifer, who explains his existence. Ronnie finds Hell even worse (and Lucifer much worse to be around than God) so he looks for another option. He discovers he can be reincarnated. Ronnie takes the option, and the song winds down with his anxious anticipation of being reborn and the extreme pain of the experience. The song ends with the Passion Play starting again, though it never really stopped. End Act 2 and song.
Sounds about right. Well done!
Sounds about right. Well done!