Hunted Partridge on the Hill

Joab
Into the wilderness out on his own praying, crying for
Signs of divine intervention but deep in his soul
Faith in himself and his Maker most certainly dying for
lack of hope, loss of face, loss of will
Like a hunted partridge on the hill
Like a hunted partridge on the hill

Saul
David has betrayed
Privilege and high position
Every move I made
To ensure his recognition
Every accolade
Handed to this cheap musician
May he rot in hell
Or at least in barren places
Daughter, can't you tell?
Every breath he takes debases
You and me as well
Shames, humiliates, disgraces--
But I can
Humiliate him too
For I am giving you
To another man!

Michal
Do what you like with me
What difference could it make?
Not even David is my master
I love him very much
But I have more at stake
I'm not part of your disaster

Joab
Saul in his court, breathing fire, losing touch with reality
David forced out to the badlands beyond Saul's control
Slowly, supporters moved in to this bleakest locality
But they're few, they are wild, he is still
Like a hunted partridge on the hill
Like a hunted partridge on the hill

David
Lunacy prevails
Melancholy voices crying
Rumors, stories, tales
News of Saul is terrifying

Flying off the rails
Israel, your soul is dying
If I am accused
By a manic king of treason
If I am abused
If the madman puts the squeeze on
If I am refused
Justice then there is no reason
To lie low

Might as well commit
The crime, be done with it
Nothing left to lose! And so . . .

Come to me, fight with me, rescue our race from insanity
Cousins and brothers and strangers, my saviors are found
Four hundred, six hundred just a small slice of humanity
But a great humane task to fulfill
Join the hunted partridge on the hill

David and Men
Join the hunted partridge on the hill

David
My friends you have given me hope
In my darkest and loneliest hour
Abandoning homes or positions of safety
And comfort and power
As years have gone by we go stronger
No longer with backs to the wall
If only the lion in the path were anyone but Saul

Joab
Saul is now merely a shadow of the man that he was in his prime
Still dogged by the Philistine menace, at war with himself half the time
Distracted, confused, and uncertain, he should not concern us at all

David
If only the lion in the path were anyone but Saul!
Saul! Saul!
I came to your camp as you dreamed and in competent guardians slept
I could have destroyed you in moments but plundered no booty except
Your spear and your water, a trifling, unbloody and merciful haul
If only the lion in the path were anyone but Saul
Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

Saul
David--is this my son, Davide?
Why spare the life of the man who is all that's preventing you
Claiming the crown that you've craved since I first took you in?
The man who has given Michal to another, tormenting you

David
Michal, Michal, given to another . . .

Saul
Surely you have by now had your fill

David
You gave her to another . . .

Saul
As the hunted partridge on the hill

David I'm the hunted partridge on the hill
Saul As the hunted partridge on the hill

Saul
But then again--how many women do you have now? And children?
And heirs? How is your dynasty?

David
I have a beautiful son to succeed me--Absalom
My Absalom

Saul
To succeed you as what?
Who do you think you are?
What do you think you are?
I do not understand why you did not kill mee--

David
I would not kill you
I could not kill you

Saul
You will regret your arrogance your so-called mercy
You are no longer my son, David!

David
Oh, Michal!
How could you agree
To be given to another?

Michal
Do what you like with me . . .

David
Does no woman see
Whether daughter, mistress, mother--

Michael
What difference could it make?

David
Man is on the run
Every day of his existence?
Every single one
Has to keep a little distance
Tell me what I've done
To deserve your inconsistence
Why you think
I don't have a heart

Joab and Chorus
Hunted like the partridge on the hill

David
Do I have a heart?

Joab and Chorus
Hunted like the partridge on the hill

David
Do I have a heart?

Joab and Chorus
Hunted like the partridge on the

David, Joab and Chorus
Hill

Men
Hunted like a partridge on the

David, Joab, and Chorus
Hunted partridge on the

Men
Hill

David, Joab, and Chorus
Hill

Men
Hunted partridge

All
On the hill