Rudolf (musical) - The Writing's On The Wall

TAAFFE:
As you know, dear,
Life’s expensive.
It can make people so apprehensive
Life has a high cost of living -
It's the nature of the beast.

MARIA:
I agree, Sir,
But, you see, Sir,
Giving in seldom lowers the fee, Sir.
Life can be quite cold enough, don't you think,
Even in coats made of mink.

TAAFFE:
Let's not quibble for
A few guilders more.
Name your price, please.

MARIA:
I don't compromise
And I never appease.
What can we do accept...

BOTH:
Live, die, hope for the best!

TAAFFE:
Take what you can and forget all the rest.
Why risk tomorrow today
When you can salvage it all?

BOTH:
Laugh, cry, do what you must!

TAAFFE:
Don't put your faith in a man you can't trust.
He won't be there to protect you
When you start to fall.
The writings on the wall!

MARIA:
I am truthful.

TAAFFE:
As am I, dear.
But so much of the truth is a lie, dear.
Once we believed that the whole world was flat,
Now we all laugh about that.

MARIA:
I believe in love
Like the stars above
Everlasting.

TAAFFE:
Even stars went out
And in time went away
Nothing can make them stay.

BOTH:
Live, die, hope for the best!

MARIA:
Tomorrow be damned, but today I'm so blessed!
I'm not afraid of your threats.
I'm not a bluff you can call.

BOTH:
Laugh, cry, do what you must!

MARIA:
I won't back down, I suggest you adjust
I'm still the one that he loves
And he needs after all
The writings on the wall

TAAFFE:
He will move on, my dear,
By this time next year,
There'll be someone new,
Someone just like you
Who believes in love
And the stars above.
No one can make him stay!

BOTH:
Live, die, hope for the best!

TAAFFE:
Love can prove difficult under arrest.

MARIA:
Freedom is seldom for free,
And love can scale any wall!

BOTH:
Laugh, cry, do what you must!

TAAFFE:
Ashes to ashes, and so dust to dust.

MARIA:
Yes, and I'll see you in Hell
Before I will crawl!

TAAFFE:
Writings on the wall...

MARIA:
But the words, like you, are small!

TAAFFE:
Writings on the wall!

BOTH:
On the wall!