Overture

Huckleberry Pie / Mysterious Ways

Somebody Gonna Love You

Our Prayer

That Fine Mister

Big Dog

Lily Of The Field

Dear God

A Tree Named Sofia

Hell No!

Brown Betty

Shug Avery Comin' To Town

All We've Got To Say

Dear God

Too Beautiful For Words

Push Da Button

Uh Oh!

What About Love?

Act I Finale

African Homeland

The Color Purple

Church Ladies' Easter

I Curse You Mister

Celie's Curse

Miss Celie's Pants

Any Little Thing

What About Love (Reprise)

I'm Here

The Color Purple (Reprise)

texttext

CELIE
HEY, SISTA, WHATCHA GON' DO...

NETTIE
GOIN' DOWN BY THE RIVER
GONNA PLAY WITH YOU.

CELIE
PAPA DON'T LIKE NO SCREAMIN' 'ROUND HERE,

NETTIE
NO LIP FROM THE WOMAN WHEN THEY CHUG THAT BEER.

NETTIE & CELIE
SHO NUFF SUN GON' SHINE.
GONNA BE GROWN LADIES OF THE MARRYIN' KIND.
SHO NUFF MOON GON' RISE
LIKE A HUCKLEBERRY PIE
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SKY.

GON' BE ALRIGHT
GON' BE ALRIGHT...

SOLOIST
IT'S SUNDAY MORNING...

SOLOIST, DARLENE, DORIS, JARENE
...SO MAKE A JOYFUL
NOISE (JOYFUL)
A JOYFUL (NOISE!) (JOYFUL!)
NOISE ! () () (JOYFUL!)
UNTO THE
LORD! (LORD!) (LORD!) (LORD!)

DARLENE
HALLELUJAH!

SOLOIST & CHURCH LADIES
TODAY'S THE DAY
GOD HATH MADE.

SOLOIST, DORIS, JARENE, DARLENE
IT'S SUNDAY (SUNDAY!)
IT'S SUNDAY () (Sing it, sista!)
IT'S SUNDAY () () (SUNDAY!)
MORNING!
SO MAKE A

SOLOIST & CHURCH LADIES
JOYFUL NOISE

SOLOIST
UNTO THE
LORD!

SOLOIST
WHEN THE KING THREW DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN,

ENSEMBLE
THE GOOD LORD WORKS
IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS!

SOLOIST
GOD SENT A MIGHTY ANGEL,
BROUGHT HIM OUT AGAIN.

ENSEMBLE
YES, THE GOOD LORD WORKS
IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS!

SOLOIST
WHEN GOD SAW THE WICKED HE KNEW WHAT TO DO.
SAID, NOAH, BRING THE ANIMALS TWO BY TWO.
'CUZ I'M GONNA KEEP YOUR BOAT AFLOAT FOR 40 DAYS.

SOLOIST & ENSEMBLE
'CUZ THE GOOD LORD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS.

ENSEMBLE
YES, THE GOOD LORD WORKS
IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS.

ENSEMBLE
AH OOM AH OOOM
AH OOM AH OOOM
AH OOM AH OOOM
AH OOM AH OOOM
AH OOM AH OOOM

PA
Celie! Come on Celie, you slow as molasses.

NETTIE
Celie not feelin' good, Pa. She's goin' as fast as she can.

PA
Celie!

And finally Celie enters, fourteen years old and hugely pregnant. Pa stomps on to
church followed by a handsome man who has his eye on Nettie. The man's children
are with him. Nettie goes to help Celie.

CELIE
I'm sorry, Pa.

As Nettie and Celie walk past, the Church Ladies stop Celie. Pa looks back for Nettie.

PA
Nettie!

JARENE
Whatchu gon' call your baby, chile?

CELIE
If it's a boy, I'm gon' call this one Adam. An' the last one name Olivia.

PA
Celie!

JARENE
Livin' with that man what killed their mama. Now it gon' kill them too.

DORIS, JARENE, DARLENE
I HEARD ABOUT PO'
CHILE CELIE --
HEARD ABOUT PO' (ALREADY RUINT)
CHILE CELIE
() (TWO TIMES!)
HEARD ABOUT PO' (ALREADY RUINT)
CHILE CELIE
() (TWO TIMES!) (SHE ONLY 14 YEARS OLD)

WHO DA DADDY? (WHO DA DADDY?) (WHO DA DADDY?)
WHO DA DADDY? (WHO DA DADDY?) (WHO DA DADDY?)

CHURCH LADIES
NOBODY KNOW!
I HEAR HER PA TAKE HER CHIRREN
INTO THE WOODS AND DONE KILT THEM.

SOLOIST
DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME TRYIN' TO WRASSLE
WITH YOUR WORLDLY WOE,

ENSEMBLE
THE GOOD LORD WORKS
IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS.

SOLOIST
'CAUSE GOD WATCHIN' OVER YOU
WHEREVER YOU GO.

ENSEMBLE
YES, THE GOOD LORD WORKS
IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS.

SOLOIST, ENSEMBLE
IF YOUR PORE BACK BREAKIN' (OOOOH)
UNDER ALL THAT WEIGHT (OOOOH)
ST. PETER GONNA LIFT IT (OOOH)
AT THE PEARLY GATE. (OOOOH)
LET THE SPIRIT WALK BESIDE YOU
ON YOUR DARKEST DAYS.

ENSEMBLE
OH, THE GOOD LORD WORKS
IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS.

PREACHER
Now none of us know what the Lord's got planned for us, no sir.
So I want y'all to stop your moanin' and quit your groanin'.
Just throw awayyyyy your hankerchiefs.
Put your hand in His and follow where He leads. Lord have mercy!
That's what I'm talkin' about!
Don't you worry, now. 'Cause no matter what happens, I need you to know that here
in church today, the Good Lord is walkin' witcha.

ENSEMBLE
WALKIN'!

PREACHER
THE GOOD LORD IS TALKIN' WITCHA --

ENSEMBLE
TALKIN'!

CHURCH LADIES
WALKIN' WITCHA,
TALKIN' WITCHA,
WHEN THE DEVIL START SQUAWKIN' WITCHA,
GOD WON'T QUITCHA.

CHURCH LADIES
NO HE WON'T!

ENSEMBLE
YES HE WORKS!

SOLOIST
WHOA, HE WALKIN'

ENSEMBLE
YES HE WORKS!

SOLOIST
YES HE WALKS

ENSEMBLE
YES HE WORKS!

SOLOIST
EVERYDAY

ENSEMBLE
YES HE WORKS!

SOLOIST
OH, IN EVERY WAY

ENSEMBLE 1, CHURCH LADIES
YES HE WORKS! (WALKIN' WITCHA)
YES HE WORKS! (TALKIN' WITCHA)
YES HE WORKS! (WHEN THE DEVIL START)
() (SQUAWKIN' WITCHA,)
YES HE WORKS! (GOD WON'T QUITCHA,)
() (NO, HE WON'T.)
YES HE WORKS! (WORKS!)
YES HE WORKS! (WORKS!)

ENSEMBLE 1, ENSEMBLE 2, CHURCH LADIES
YES HE WORKS! (WORKS!) (WALKIN' WITCHA)
YES HE WORKS! (WORKS!) (TALKIN' WITCHA)
YES HE WORKS! (WORKS!) (WHEN THE DEVIL START)
() () (SQUAWKIN' WITCHA,)
YES HE WORKS! (WORKS!) (GOD WON'T QUITCHA,)
() () (NO, HE WON'T!)

ENSEMBLE, SOLOIST
YES HE WORKS! (YES HE)
YES HE WORKS! (WORKS!)

CELIE
Dear God!

ENSEMBLE
WORKS!

CELIE
Dear God!

SOLOIST
YOU KNOW THAT GOD WORKS...

ENSEMBLE
IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS --

DARLENE
SO MAKE A

ENSEMBLE, DARLENE, DORIS, JARENE
JOY (JOYFUL)
() (NOISE)
() () (JOYFUL)
() () (NOISE)
() () (THROW YOUR HANDS UP)
() (I SAID, A)
() (JOYFUL)
() (NOISE) () (GET UP ON)
() () () (YOUR FEET)
() () (JOYFUL)
() () (NOISE)
() (JOYFUL)
() () (JOYFUL)
() (JOYFUL) (JOYFUL) (JOYFUL)

PREACHER
COME ON!
AND MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE!

ENSEMBLE
UNTO THE LORD!

CELIE
GOT NOTHIN' TO GIVE YOU BUT A PRAYER.
GOD'S GONNA SEE YOU THROUGH.
TO PART WITH YOU MORE THAN I CAN BEAR
BUT SOMEBODY GONNA LOVE YOU.

SWEET BABY, SWEET,
THIS MUCH I KNOW IS TRUE.
SLEEP BABY, SLEEP.
'CAUSE SOMEBODY GONNA LOVE YOU.
OH, I'M ALWAYS GONNA LOVE YOU.

NETTIE
I WANNA KNOW HOW THE WORLD GOES.
HOW FAR IS THE MOON?
HOW THE SKY CHANGES COLOR?
HOPE I FIND OUT SOON.

NETTIE
What you want?

CELIE
I WANNA SIT AND DO NOTHING.
MAKE YOU A NEW DRESS.
HOPE MY BABIES ARE HAPPY,
SOMEPLACE GOD WILL BLESS.

PA
Celie! Get to work!

NETTIE
AIN'T NO NEED TO DISCUSS.

CELIE
IT AIN'T WORTH A BIG FUSS.

NETTIE & CELIE
WHATEVER COME TO US
IS IN GOD'S HANDS.

WHEN I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP,
I WILL SAY MY PRAYER
THAT GOD LOVE ME SO DEEP,
HE WILL PROMISE OUR SOULS TO KEEP
TOGETHER.
I'LL SAY A PRAYER.

NETTIE
Who that man talkin' to Pa?

CELIE
He lookin' for a new wife take care of his mean chirren.

MISTER
I WANT TO MARRY NETTIE.
SHE A SWEET YOUNG GIRL.

PA
She too young.

MISTER
SHE'S THE CUTEST THING
IN THIS WHOLE WORLD.

PA
She gonna be a teacher.

NETTIE
PICTURE ME IN A SCHOOLHOUSE
WITH MY COLLEGE DEGREE.
I COULD TEACH ALL MY CHILDREN
TO SPELL TENNESSEE.

PA
You can have Celie, though. She too old to be livin' at home.

CELIE
MAYBE I'LL HAVE A GARDEN
WHERE BIRDS COME TO SING.
KNOW A FINCH FROM A SPARROW,
FIX A BROKEN WING.

MISTER
I don't want Celie. She ugly.

NETTIE
I WANNA HEAR YOUR BIRDS SING.

CELIE
WANNA HEAR YOUR SCHOOL BELL RING.

NETTIE & CELIE
NO MATTER WHAT LIFE BRING,
US IN GOD'S HANDS.

PA
Whyn't you quit comin' 'round here and just go marry your Shug Avery?

CHURCH LADIES
SHUG AVERY

NETTIE
Who Shug Avery?

CHURCH LADIES
SHUG AVERY!

CELIE
She Mister ol' girlfriend.

MISTER
Shug Avery not a child-raisin' woman, you know that. She the Queen Honeybee.

PA
She a low-down ho, is what everybody say.
You lookin' for a new Shug Avery, you better go to Memphis. All we got here is one
pretty gal you can't never have, and one ugly gal

PA, MISTER
...that work like a man. (I-I-I-I)
() (I-I-I-I REALLY WANT THAT GIRL.)

PA
I told you no!

NETTIE & CELIE, MISTER
WHEN I (I WANNA)
LAY ME DOWN TO (MARRY)
SLEEP, (NETTIE.)
I WILL (SHE A)
SAY MY PRAYER (SWEET YOUNG GIRL.)
THAT GOD LOVE
ME (SHE THE)
SO DEEP, (SWEETEST THING)
HE WILL (IN THIS)
PROMISE (WHOLE)
OUR SOULS (WIDE WORLD.)
TO KEEP TOGETHER. (I-I-I-I)
I'LL SAY A PRAYER (I REALLY WANT THAT GIRL.)

CELIE
You want any kids?

NETTIE
Someday, I guess.

WE'LL LIVE IN BIG HOUSES.

CELIE
PUT SWINGS IN THE TREES.

NETTIE
BRAID UP YOUR GRAY HAIR

NETTIE & CELIE
IN THE COOL OF THE BREEZE.
AND ONE DAY
OUR CHILDREN WILL SING --

WHEN I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP,
I WILL SAY MY PRAYER
THAT GOD LOVE ME SO DEEP,
HE WILL PROMISE OUR SOULS TO KEEP
TOGETHER.
I'LL SAY A PRAYER.
I'LL SAY OUR PRAYER.

JARENE, DORIS, DARLENE
AND WHAT ABOUT
THAT FINE MISTER?
() (MARRYIN')
THAT FINE MISTER (THAT PO')
() (HOMELY CHILD.)
() (HMMPH!)
AND WHAT ABOUT
THAT FINE MISTER? (MARRYIN')
() (THAT PO')
() (HOMELY CHILD.)
() (HMMPH!)
() () (SHE GONNA WORK LIKE)
() () (A MULE)
WHAT ABOUT
THAT FINE MISTER? (MARRYIN')
() (THAT PO')
() (HOMELY CHILD.)
() (HMMPH!)
() () (HE GOT)
() () (TWO COWS)
() () (OUT THAT DEAL!)
HAVE MERCY! (HAVE MERCY!) (HAVE MERCY!)
HAVE MERCY! (HAVE MERCY!) (HAVE MERCY!)
SAY, WHAT (SAY, WHAT) (SAY, WHAT)
GON' COME OF
THAT SWEET NETTIE?
() ('LONE WITH THAT)
() (LETCH OF A MAN. OOH,)

WHAT GON' COME OF
THAT SWEET NETTIE?
() ('LONE WITH THAT)
() (LETCH OF A MAN. OOH,)
() () (THEY TWO)
() () (UNFORTUNATE GALS.)

DORIS/DARLENE/JARENE
THEY NEED A CHARIOT TODAY
TO SWING LOW AND CARRY THEM AWAY!

MISTER
There's my field, there's my cattle, there's my men.

FIELDHANDS
HE WANT HIS HAM HOCKS HOT
AND HIS LEMONADE COLD.
DON'T WANT TO HEAR NO LIP,
JUST DO WHAT YOU TOLD.
PLUCK THEM CHICKENS,
SCRUB THEM POTS AND PANS.
YOU GONNA CHURN THAT BUTTER
'TIL IT CRAMP YOUR HANDS.
IF YOU THINK HARD WORK
BEEN DOGGIN' YOU BEFORE...
HUNH!
GET READY FOR THE BIG DOG!

MISTER
This my house.

MISTER, FIELDHANDS
FIX THAT (WORK!)
BROKEN WINDOW
'FORE THE (WORK!)
RAIN COME IN.

YOU GOT TO (WORK!)
KILL THAT RAT
WITH THIS HERE... (WORK!)
ROLLIN' PIN. (HUMM!)
MOP THIS FLOOR,
PICK UP (HUMM!)
ALL THIS MESS.
YOU KNOW THAT

MISTER & FIELDHANDS
CLEANLINESS
NEXT TO
GODLINESS.

FIELDHANDS
IF YOU THINK HARD WORK
BEEN DOGGIN' YOU BEFORE,
GET READY FOR THE BIG DOG!
HUNH!

MISTER, CELIE
SWEEP THIS BARN, (NETTIE GO)
MILK THAT COW. (TO THE SCHOOLHOUSE)
WATER FROM THE WELL, (GET HER)
FIELDS TO PLOW. (COLLEGE DEGREE.)
BRUSH MY HORSE. (NETTIE TEACHIN')
FEED THAT PIG. (HER CHILDREN)
TREE TO CHOP, (TO SPELL)
DITCH TO DIG. (TENNESSEE.)
FETCH THEM EGGS, (WON'T BE TIME )
PITCH THAT HAY. (FOR A GARDEN.)
PATCH THE FENCE,
SO THE BILLY (NO BIRDS)
DON'T STRAY. (GONNA SING.)
PULL THE TURNIPS, (WON'T BE TIME)
HOSE THE GREENS, (FOR MY READIN'.)
FEED THE BABY GOATS
'TIL THE LAST ONE WEANS.

FIELDHANDS
GET READY FOR THE BIG DOG!

MISTER
WORK!

FIELDHANDS
HUNH!

MISTER
Harpo! I warned you about this. I'm gon' beat you clean to death. Get my belt!

HARPO
No! Pa!

CELIE
WHEN I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP
I WILL SAY MY PRAYER

MISTER
You throw your food on the floor, you eats it off the floor, you little pig.

CELIE
THAT GOD LOVE ME SO DEEP,
HE WILL PROMISE OUR SOULS TO KEEP

GIRL
Daddy, can I have...

MISTER
You get nothin' from me, girl. And the next one of you says a word gets tied to the
fence post.

CELIE
TOGETHER.

MISTER
Bedroom's upstairs.

CELIE
I SAY A PRAYER.

FIELDHANDS
HE LIKE HIS BATH REAL HOT,
LIKE IT 'BOUT TO BOIL.
YOU GOT TO RUB HIS FEET
WITH SOME LINIMENT OIL.
SHAVE HIS WHISKERS,
HOPE IT'S UNDERSTOOD
THAT YOU BEST NOT CUT HIM,
OR HE BEAT YOU GOOD.
IF YOU THINK HARD WORK BEEN DOGGIN' YOU BEFORE,
GET READY FOR THE BIG DOG! HUNH!

NETTIE
Celie! Celie!!!!!!!!

CELIE
Nettie!

The girls embrace. Mister enters.

MISTER
She got to go!

Mister grabs them. The girls hang on to each other.

CELIE
No!

NETTIE
Celie! No!

CELIE
DEAR GOD,

Mister separates them, pushing Nettie to the ground. Mister starts towards Nettie.

CELIE
DON'T TAKE MY NETTIE!

Celie grabs Mister. Mister raises his hand to hit Celie.

MISTER
You ain't never gonna hear from her.
Nettie jumps up to stop him. Mister and Nettie struggle.

CELIE
Don't hurt her!

Mister gets a hold of Nettie and begins to push her out.

CELIE
DON'T DO THIS!

MISTER
You even try to find her, she be the one to pay.

NETTIE
Don't forget me, Celie.

Mister throws Nettie out.

CELIE
Nettie, write to me!

MISTER
Git!

Mister throws rocks at Nettie.

NETTIE
I'll write you every day. Nothin' but death will keep me from it.

MISTER
Git!

CELIE
Nettie!

Nettie runs away.

MISTER
Git! Git off of my property!

Mister starts towards house.

MISTER
Your sister dead to you. Dead!

CELIE (to Mister)
YOU CAN'T DO THIS!
YOU CAN'T DO THIS!

Celie grabs Mister. He hits her. Celie falls to the ground. Mister leaves her and
continues to walk back to the house.

CELIE (to God)
WHY YOU DO THIS?!
DEAR GOD!!!

Celie is paralyzed by the truth of what has just happened. Nettie is gone. She sinks
to the ground. She bows her head. Then looks up.

CELIE
WHAT YOU DONE WITH MY SISTA?
HOW THIS PLAY IN YOUR PLAN?
WON'T YOU BRING BACK MY NETTIE?
YOU THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN.

I NEVER ASKED FOR ANYTHING,
BUT I'M ASKIN' FOR THIS.
IF I'M REALLY A LILY OF THE FIELD,
YOU WILL ANSWER MY PRAYER
OR YOU'RE NO GOD AT ALL.

A mailbox appears. It is 5 years later. Celie stands beside the mailbox. She opens the
mailbox door, but Mister appears from nowhere and shuts it hard.

MISTER
What you think you doin'? You touch that mailbox and I'll kill you, gal.

The mailbox disappears.

CELIE
SO MANY WINTERS GRAY AND SUMMERS BLUE.

Nettie must be dead.

WHAT KIND OF GOD ARE YOU?

CELIE
DEAR GOD,
I LOVE THIS WOMAN!
MY FRIEND, SOFIA.
HARPO, HE LOVE HER
AND HE SMILE EV'RYTIME HE SEE HER.
I AIN'T NEVER SEEN SUCH A VISION!
COW BOSSIN' THE BULL AROUND.
AIN'T AFRAID O' NOTHIN'
WHEN SHE LAY HER LAW DOWN.
TOOK HARPO'S HAND,
NOW SHE HAVIN' HIS BABIES.
SHE RULE THE HOUSE AN' ITS DRIVIN' HIM CRAZY.
SHE GIVE HIM LIP AND NOW HE JUST FIT TO BE TIED.

DORIS
I HEARD ABOUT SOFIA AND HARPO
JARENE
SOUND LIKE A TWISTER SET DOWN
DARLENE
HE SAY HE KICKED BY A MULE

DORIS
I HEARD ABOUT SOFIA AND HARPO
JARENE
SOUND LIKE A TWISTER SET DOWN
DARLENE
HE SAY HE KICKED BY A MULE

DORIS
I HEARD ABOUT SOFIA AND HARPO
JARENE
SOUND LIKE A TWISTER SET DOWN
DARLENE
HE SAY HE KICKED BY A MULE

ALL CHURCH LADIES
HE RUN INTO A TREE AND HER NAME SOFIA!

SOFIA
You told Harpo to beat me?

CELIE
I'm sorry.

SOFIA
I love Harpo, God knows I do. But I'll kill him dead before I let him or anybody
beat me.

SOFIA
ALL MY LIFE I HAD TO FIGHT.
I HAD TO FIGHT MY DADDY.
I HAD TO FIGHT MY BROTHERS,
MY COUSINS, MY UNCLES, TOO.
BUT I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER,
NEVER, NEVER THOUGHT
I HAD TO FIGHT IN MY OWN HOUSE!

I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU.
TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH
YOU REMIND ME OF MY MAMA,
UNDER YOUR HUSBAND'S THUMB.
NAW, YOU UNDER YOUR HUSBAND'S FOOT
WHAT HE SAY GO.
WHY YOU SO SCARED
I'LL NEVER KNOW.
IF A MAN

RAISE HIS HAND,
HELL NO!
HELL NO!

GIRL CHILD AIN'T SAFE
IN A FAMILY O' MENS.
SICK 'N TIRED HOW A WOMAN
STILL LIVE LIKE A SLAVE.
YOU BETTER LEARN HOW TO FIGHT BACK
WHILE YOU STILL ALIVE.
YOU SHOW THEM, GIRL,
AND BEAT BACK THAT JIVE.
'CAUSE WHEN A MAN
JUST DON'T GIVE A DAMN,
HELL NO!
HELL NO!

CELIE
What you gonna do now?

SOFIA
My sisters comin' to get me. I think I need a vacation on up and away from here.

CELIE
But Harpo's your husband. You got to stay with him. I know you love him.

SOFIA
WHEN THAT MAN USED TO TOUCH ME,
HE CLAM ON TOP AND START TO ROCK ME AWAY.
LORD KNOWS I STILL LOVES HIM,
BUT HE TRY TO MAKE ME MIND
AND I JUST AIN'T THAT KIND.
HELL NO!

CELIE
Sometimes my husband get on me so hard it hurt me all over, but he my husband so
I just talk to my Old Maker. This life'll soon be over. Heaven lasts always.

SOFIA
What you ought to do is bash Mister's head open, and think on heaven later. You
can't stay here, girl.

SISTAS!

SISTER 1
HELL NO!

SISTER 2
HELL NO!

SISTER 3
HELL NO!

SISTER 4
HELL NO!

SISTER 5
HELL NO!

SISTER 1
HELL NO!

SISTER 6
HELL NO!

ALL SISTERS
HELL NO!
LET'S GO!

SISTER 6
GONNA BE YOUR ROCK.
GONNA BE YOUR TREE.

SISTER 4
SOMETHIN' TO HOLD ON TO
IN YOUR TIME OF NEED.

SISTER 3
GIRL, YOU TOO GOOD
FOR THAT MAN!

ALL SISTERS
DAMN THAT MAN

SISTER 2
GONNA TAKE YOU AWAY

ALL SISTERS
TAKE MY HAND
SISTA, YOU GOT TO GO.

SISTER 5
DON'T BE NO FOOL.
DON'T WASTE NO TIME.

SISTER 1
ANY MAN WHO HURTS YOU
AIN'T WORTH A DIME.

SISTER 2
WELL HE WON'T KNOW
'TIL YOU'RE GONE

ALL SISTERS
SHE BE GONE

SISTER 5
WHAT HE THROWIN' AWAY.

ALL SISTERS
HE BE WRONG.
SISTA YOU GOT TO GO!

SOFIA
GIRL, YOU TOO GOOD
FOR THAT MAN.
LET ME TAKE YOU AWAY.

ALL SISTERS
SISTA!

SOFIA
LET ME TAKE YOU AWAY.

ALL SISTERS
SISTA!

SOFIA
DON'T YOU WANT TO GO AWAY?

ALL SISTERS
SISTA!

SOFIA
YOU GOT TO LEAVE TODAY!

ALL SISTERS
SISTA!

SISTER 4
HEY!

ALL SISTERS
SISTA, YOU GOT TO SAY...

SISTERS & SOFIA
...HELLLLL...

SOFIA
YOU GOT TO SAY...
YOU NEED TO SAY...
YOU BETTER SAY...
YOU OUGHT TO SAY...
HELL...

SOFIA
HELL, HELL, HELL, HELL, HELL, HELL

SISTERS & SOFIA
NO!

CELIE (to Harpo)
You gon' let Sofia go?

HARPO
I have to. I can't stop her.

CELIE
What you gon' do then?

HARPO
I'm gon' tear down this house she made me build, and make myself a jukejoint.

HARPO
BROWN-LEGGED WOMAN PUT A SPELL ON ME.

BUDDY & OTHER BUDDY
OH, BROWN BETTY!

BUDDY 3
Time you forget about Sofia.

BUDDY 4
She not comin' back.

HARPO
SHE CHOP ME DOWN LIKE AN OL' OAK TREE.

HARPO & TWO BUDDIES
DON'T MATTER IF SHE
BIG-LEGGED, BROWN-EYED,
BIG-EYED, BROWN-LEGGED...
WHATEVER SHE DONE, THAT GIRL SHO WAS FINE.

SQUEAK
What y'all buildin' here?

HARPO
Jukejoint.

SQUEAK
Ya'll need a waitress? My name's Squeak.

HARPO
Hoowhee!

GONNA MAKE YOU HOLLER LIKE A WILD CAT DO

HARPO & BUDDIES
OH, BROWN BETTY!

HARPO
WHEN I THROW MY MOJO DOWN ON YOU.

HARPO & BUDDIES
DON'T MATTER IF SHE
BIG-LEGGED, BROWN-EYED,
BIG-EYED, BROWN-LEGGED...
WHATEVER SHE IS, THAT GIRL SHO IS FINE.

BUDDIES
WHATEVER SHE IS, THAT GIRL SHO IS FINE.
HUH!

SQUEAK
Who gon' sing at your jukejoint?

HARPO
Whoever want to, I guess.

SQUEAK
You get Shug Avery come sing here you make a lot of money. She sing for you,
Harpo. I know she will. You so pretty.

HARPO
Men ain't pretty.

SQUEAK
You is.

IF YOU WANNA EAT THE APPLE
OFFA DIS HERE TREE...

HARPO & BUDDIES
YEAH, BROWN BETTY!

SQUEAK
...DON'T BRING NOTHIN' BUT
YOUR SWEET STUFF
HOME TO ME.

HARPO & BUDDIES
DON'T MATTER IF SHE
BIG-LEGGED...

BUDDIES
BIG-LEGGED,

HARPO
BROWN-EYED,

BUDDIES
BROWN-EYED

HARPO
BIG-EYED,

BUDDIES
BIG-EYED,

HARPO
BROWN-LEGGED,

BUDDIES
BROWN-LEGGED...

HARPO & BUDDIES
WHATEVER SHE IS,
THAT GIRL SHO IS FINE.

HARPO
WHATEVER SHE IS,
THAT GIRL SHO IS FINE.

MISTER
WHERE MY SHIRT?
WHERE MY HAT?
WHERE YOU PUT MY BRACES AT?
FIX MY TIE,
PRESS MY PANTS,
UGLY MAN AIN'T GOT NO CHANCE!

CELIE
WHAT IS YOU FUSSIN' FOR, MISTER?
WHAT YOU CARE ABOUT 'SIDES YOURSELF?

MISTER
CELIE HEAD FULL O' ROCKS
THERE'S HOLES IN MY SUNDAY SOCKS.

MISTER, JARENE
SHUG AVERY COMIN' TO TOWN! (SHUG AVERY COMIN' TO TOWN!)

CHURCH LADIES
LOCK UP ALL YOUR MENS
AND YOUR YOUNG BOYS, TOO.
SHUG AIN'T GOT NO FRIENDS
'CEPT THE ONES SHE SCREW!

CHURCH LADIES & MISTER
SHUG AVERY COMIN' TO TOWN!

CHURCH LADIES, MISTER
SHUG COMIN'! (Mmmm, gonna get me)
SHUG COMIN'! (some sugar tonight!)

CELIE
SHARP AS A TACK
WITH YOUR HAIR SLICKED BACK.
SPIT ON YOUR SHOES,
WHAT YOU TRYIN' TO DO?

CHURCH LADIES
THAT MISTER SHO DO SHINE
WHEN SHUG COME CROSS THAT COUNTY LINE.

MAN 1
AIN'T NO OTHER WOMAN LIKE SHUG.

MAN 2
LIKE SHUG.

MEN
OH LORD, LET ME CROSS
INTO HER PROMISED LAND.

CHURCH LADIES
DRINKIN' THE GIN,
LOVIN' ALL THE MENS,
STRUMPET IN A SHORT SKIRT
GOT NO PRIDE!

MEN
BUMPIN' IN THE SHED.
BOUNCIN' IN THE BED.

TOWNSPEOPLE
DON'T YOU KNOW IT AIN'T NO LIE...

CHURCH LADIES, TOWNSPEOPLE & MISTER
SHUG AVERY COMIN' TO TOWN.

CELIE
GOT ABOUT A MILLION QUESTIONS
CRAWLING AROUND MY HEAD --
WHAT SHE WEAR?
HOW HER HAIR?
IS SHE SKINNY?
IS SHE STOUT?
MUST BE SOMETHIN' TO FUSS ABOUT.

WOMEN
SHUG AVERY BRING DOWN THIS TOWN!

CHURCH MAMA
Fire and brimstone rainin' down!

OH, SHE
COMIN', COMIN'!

MEN
SHUG AVERY HEAT UP THIS TOWN!

CHURCH MAMA
She gonna turn into a pillar of salt!

OH, NO, NO, NO!

CHURCH LADIES & ENSEMBLE
SHUG AVERY SHE BACK IN TOWN!

WOMEN
OOH, THAT SHUG,
YOU KNOW SHE NO GOOD.
A SNAKE IN THE WOODS
GONNA POISON YOU.

MEN
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND
WHAT IT DO TO A MAN
WHEN YOU IN HER HANDS
AND SHE TURN THAT SCREW.

WOMEN
BETTER SAY FAREWELL,
'CUZ YOU'RE GOIN' TO HELL!

MEN
BUT A MAN FEEL SWELL
WHEN HE IN HER SPELL.

WOMAN
BETTER LOCK YOUR DOORS!

MEN
BETTER CHANGE YOUR DRAWERS!

TOGETHER
SHE'S COMING, COMING, COMING, COMING...
SHUG AVERY SHE BACK IN TOWN!

ALL
SHUG AVERY......
SHE BACK IN TOWN!

DORIS
That Shug a hot mess -- that's what she is!

DARLENE
That's the truth, sister!

DORIS
SHE GOT THEM HEEBIES AND JEEBIES
FROM MOONSHINE AND CHEAP WINE,
AND REEFER AND CANDY CANE.

DARLENE
OR IS IT THE NASTY RELATIONS
FROM EARTHLY SENSATIONS
THAT PUT HER IN HER PAIN?

JARENE
SHE A WOMAN OF LOW MORAL CHARACTER

ALL CHURCH LADIES
AND THAT'S ALL WE GOT TO SAY!

CELIE
GOT ABOUT A MILLION TINGLES
SNEAKIN' ON UP MY SPINE.
I WASH HER BODY AND IT FEEL LIKE I'M PRAYIN.
TRY NOT TO LOOK, BUT MY EYES AIN'T OBEYIN'.
GUESS I FOUND OUT WHAT ALL OF THE FUSS IS ABOUT.
NOT LIKE NETTIE, NOT LIKE SOFIA,
NOT LIKE NOBODY ELSE UP IN HERE.
SHUG AVERY!

SHUG
This who they talkin' about.

CELIE
I know that.

SHUG
AND EVERYTHING THEY SAY IS TRUE, TOO,
SO YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!

CELIE
SHUG AVERY...

SHUG
You not ugly. You the grace of God if us ever see it.
You don't believe me.
Miss Celie... Miss Celie, look here. Look at yourself.

I'VE ALWAYS BEEN THE KIND OF GAL
THAT HAD A LOT TO SAY.
I SAYS THE THINGS THAT'S ON MY MIND,
TOO DUMB TO SHY AWAY.
BUT YOU HUSH MY MOUTH AND STILL ME
WITH A SONG I'VE NEVER HEARD.
I GUESS THAT MEANS THAT YOU ARE JUST
TOO BEAUTIFUL FOR WORDS.

I'VE SEEN THIS LIFE FROM HIGH AND LOW
AND ALL THAT'S IN BETWEEN.
I DANCED WITH DUKES, CROONED WITH COUNTS,
BEEN COURTED LIKE A QUEEN.
BUT WHEN I SEE WHAT'S IN YOUR HEART,
ALL THE REST IS BLURRED.
THE GRACE YOU BRING INTO THIS WORLD'S
TOO BEAUTIFUL FOR WORDS.

YOU HIDE YOUR HEAD UNDER YOUR WING
JUST LIKE A LITTLE BIRD.

OH, DON'T YOU KNOW YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL,
TOO BEAUTIFUL FOR WORDS?
CELIE, YOU'RE TOO BEAUTIFUL FOR WORDS.

HARPO
All right now, ladies and gentlemen, fill your glasses up and sit your asses on down.
Because tonight, here at Harpo's Jukejoint...

PATRON
Where?

HARPO
Harpo's, fool!... we bring you the finest in Southern Nobility -- the Queen Honeybee.

ENSEMBLE
SHUG AVERY!

SHUG
NOW THERE'S SOMETHIN' 'BOUT GOOD LOVIN'
THAT ALL YOU LADIES SHOULD KNOW.
IF YOU WANT TO LIGHT YOUR MAN ON FIRE,
YOU GOTTA START IT REAL SLOW.
KEEP ON TURNING UP THE VOLTAGE
'TIL THAT MAN BEGIN TO GLOW.
LIKE YOU SWITCHIN' ON A LIGHTBULB,
WATCH THE JUICE BEGIN TO FLOW.

NOW THAT I GOT YOUR ATTENTION,
HERE'S WHAT YOU MEN NEED TO HEAR.
YOU WANT YOUR LADY RACIN' WITH YOU
YOU GOTTA GET HER IN GEAR.
HERE'S THE KEY TO REV HER MOTOR:
FIND THE SPOT SHE LOVE THE BEST.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS,
GIVE HER THE STICK, SHE'LL DO THE REST.

PUSH DA BUTTON!

BAND & CROWD
PUSH DA BUTTON!

SHUG
PUSH DA BUTTON!

BAND & CROWD
PUSH DA BUTTON!

SHUG
YOU GOTTA PUSH IT
IF YOU WANNA COME IN!
PUSH DA BUTTON!

BAND & CROWD
PUSH DA BUTTON!

SHUG
GIVE ME SOMETHIN'...

BAND & CROWD
PUSH DA BUTTON!

SHUG
TO LET YOUR BABY KNOW
IT AIN'T NO SIN.
NOW, IF YOU WANNA FEEL THE TRAIN A-COMIN'
YOUR WAY,

BAND & CROWD
WHOO WHOO!

BABY, PUSH THE BUTTON
AND PULL THE WINDOWSHADE.

NOW LISTEN ALL YOU RED HOT LOVERS,
YOU OUGHTA KNOW WHAT TO DO.

BAND & CROWD
YOU OUGHTA KNOW WHAT TO DO.

SHUG
THERE AIN'T NOTHIN' WRONG WITH NOTHIN'
THAT'S RIGHT WITH BOTH OF YOU.

BAND & CROWD
THAT'S RIGHT WITH BOTH OF YOU.

SHUG
SO WHEN TONIGHT YOU MAKE YOUR LOVER
CRY OUT LIKE A LION ROAR,
TELL THE NEIGHBOR YOUR NEW KITTY
FOUND THE CREAM IT LOOKIN' FOR!

PUSH DA BUTTON!

BAND & CROWD
PUSH DA BUTTON!

SHUG
PUSH DA BUTTON!

BAND & CROWD
PUSH DA BUTTON!

SHUG
YOU GOTTA PUSH IT
IF YOU WANNA COME IN! WOO!
PUSH DA BUTTON!

BAND & CROWD
PUSH DA BUTTON!

SHUG
GIVE ME SOMETHIN'...

BAND & CROWD
PUSH DA BUTTON

SHUG, CROWD
...TO LET YOUR BABY KNOW
IT AIN'T NO SIN.
NOW, IF YOU WANNA FEEL THE TRAIN
A-COMIN' YOUR WAY, (WHOO WHOO!)
BABY, PUSH THE BUTTON
AND PULL THE WINDOW SHADE!
COME ON AND
PUSH! (PULL!)
PUSH! (PULL!)

SHUG
PUSH DA BUTTON!

BAND & CROWD
PUSH DA BUTTON!

SHUG
PUSH DA BUTTON!

BAND & CROWD
PUSH DA BUTTON!

SHUG
GOTTA PUSH IT
IF YOU WANNA COME IN!
PUSH DA BUTTON!

BAND & CROWD
PUSH DA BUTTON!

SHUG
GIVE ME SOMETHIN'...

BAND & CROWD
PUSH DA BUTTON!

SHUG
...TO LET YOUR BABY KNOW
IT AIN'T NO SIN.
NOW, IF YOU WANNA FEEL THE TRAIN
A-COMIN' YOUR WAY,
BABY, BABY...
WHAT YOU GONNA DO?

BAND & CROWD
PUSH DA BUTTON!

SHUG
PUSH DA BUTTON!

SOFIA (entering with a man who looks like a prizefighter)
C'mon, Buster!

CHURCH LADIES
WHO DIS?
LOOK AT
WHO DAT!
DAT SO-FI-A!
TELL ME
WHO DAT WIT' HER?
WHO DIS?
LOOK AT
WHO DAT!
DAT SO-FI-A!
WAIT 'TIL
HARPO SEE HER!

SOFIA
Would you look at what Harpo done here.
Oooooh, Miss Celie!

CELIE
Sofia, this here is Shug Avery.

SOFIA
Nice to meet you, Ma'am.

CELIE
Who dat?

SOFIA
THIS HERE IS HENRY,
HENRY BROADNAX.

CHURCH LADIES (cooing)
OH HENRY!

SOFIA
BUT EVERYBODY CALL HIM BUSTER.
A PRIZE FIGHTER,
FRIEND OF THE FAMILY.

CHURCH LADIES (swooning as they sing)
OH! OH! OH, BUSTER!

MISTER
WHERE YOUR CHIRREN AT, SOFIA?

SOFIA
WHERE YOUR'N?

HARPO
OH NO, SOFIA,
WHAT ARE YOU DOIN' HERE?
A WOMAN NEED TO,
SHE NEED TO BE AT HOME.

SOFIA
I COME TO HEAR MISS SHUG SING.
A WOMAN NEED TO HAVE SOME FUN.
(to Celie) AIN'T THAT RIGHT, MISS CELIE?

HARPO
IT JES A SCANDLESS --

CHURCH LADIES
SCANDLESS!

HARPO
GAL WITH FIVE CHIRREN
OUT IN THE JUKE AT NIGHT.

SOFIA
YOU KNOW I GOT SIX CHIRREN NOW.

HARPO & CELIE
SIX?!

SOFIA
LIFE DON'T STOP JUST 'CUZ YOU LEAVE HOME.
AIN'T THAT RIGHT, MISS CELIE?

C'mon, Buster, let's find a seat.

HARPO (to the piano player)
Play somethin', Jawbone.

(to Sofia) LET'S DANCE.

They cross to the dance floor.

BUSTER
Well, that's first time I ever been knocked down without throwin' a punch!

SOFIA
HARPO. BE NICE. BE NICE.

HARPO
SO-FIA. SO-FI-A.

SQUEAK
HARPO! WHO DIS WOMAN?

HARPO
You know who she is.

SQUEAK
SHE BEST TO LEAVE YOU ALONE!

WOMEN
Uh-oh.

SOFIA
Fine with me.

HARPO
BABY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO NOWHERE.
HELL, THIS IS YOUR DAMN HOUSE!

SQUEAK
WHAT DO YOU MEAN THIS IS HER HOUSE?!
YOU SAID IT WAS OUR HOUSE.
SHE WALK AWAY FROM IT,
SO IT OVER NOW!

CROWD
UH-OH!

SOFIA
Fine with me.

HARPO
WOMAN, CAN'T A MAN GET SOME PEACE,
DANCIN' WITH HIS OWN WIFE?

SQUEAK
NOT IF HE MY MAN, AND NOT IF HE LOVE ME.
NO, NOT IF HE MY MAN HE CAN'T.
YOU HEAR THAT, BITCH?

CROWD
UH-OH!

CHURCH LADIES
HER HOUSE? THIS IS YOUR HOUSE,
AIN'T BUT ONE HOUSE, TELL ME WHOSE IS IT?
HER HOUSE, THIS IS YOUR HOUSE,
AIN'T BUT ONE HOUSE, BETTER KEEP HIM IN IT!

SQUEAK
You ain't nothin' but a big old heifer.

SOFIA
Like I said, fine with me.

CHURCH LADIES
HER HOUSE?
THIS IS YOUR HOUSE,
AIN'T BUT ONE --

Squeak slaps Sophia across the head.

BUSTER & CROWD
UH-OH!!

Sophia decks Squeak with one punch.

HARPO (to Sofia)
I don't allow no fightin' in here, Sofia.

SOFIA
She slap me, everybody see that.

HARPO
And you go and knock her out like she a man.

SOFIA
I'll knock you out!

HARPO
Take Sofia home, Buster.

CELIE
Harpo make a lot of money if you stay here and sing.
SHUG
Yeah, but now you got me feelin' so much better, I got to get back on the road, make
some money, you know.

CELIE
When you have to go?

SHUG
In the morning. But I'll be back, too, in a month or so.
You'll see. Nobody ever love me like you.

Shug kisses Celie on the lips.

SHUG
Damn, girl.

CELIE
IS THAT ME WHO'S FLOATING AWAY?
LIFTED UP TO THE CLOUDS BY A KISS,
NEVER FELT NOTHIN' LIKE THIS.

SHUG
IS THAT ME I DON'T RECOGNIZE?
LOVE'S THE ONE THING I KNEW ALL ABOUT,
I HAD IT ALL FIGURED OUT.

CELIE
BUT WHAT ABOUT TRUST?

SHUG
WHAT ABOUT TRUST?

CELIE
WHAT ABOUT TENDERNESS?

SHUG
TENDERNESS?

CELIE & SHUG
WHAT ABOUT TEARS WHEN I'M HAPPY?
WHAT ABOUT WINGS WHEN I FALL?
I WANT YOU TO BE
A STORY FOR ME
THAT I CAN BELIEVE IN FOREVER.

CELIE
AND WHAT ABOUT

SHUG
WHAT ABOUT

CELIE & SHUG
LOVE?

CELIE & SHUG
WILL YOU BE MY LIGHT IN THE STORM?
WILL I SEE A NEW WORLD IN YOUR EYES?
WITH YOU MY WHOLE SPIRIT RISE.

CELIE
AND WHAT ABOUT HOPE?

SHUG
WHAT ABOUT HOPE?

CELIE
WHAT ABOUT JOY?

SHUG
WHAT ABOUT JOY?

CELIE & SHUG
WHAT ABOUT TEARS WHEN I'M HAPPY?
WHAT ABOUT WINGS WHEN I FALL?
I WANT YOU TO BE
A STORY FOR ME
THAT I CAN BELIEVE IN FOREVER.

SHUG
AND WHAT ABOUT

CELIE
WHAT ABOUT

SHUG
WHAT ABOUT

CELIE
WHAT ABOUT

CELIE & SHUG
LOVE?

CELIE
WHAT ABOUT

SHUG
WHAT ABOUT

CELIE
WHAT ABOUT

SHUG
WHAT ABOUT

CELIE
WHAT ABOUT LOVE? ...

SHUG, CELIE
YOU AND ME (YOU AND ME)
YOU AND ME (YOU AND ME, OH,)
() SENT TO ME
WHAT ABOUT (WHAT ABOUT)
WHAT ABOUT (LOVE?)
LOVE... ?

SHUG
Now look here. I found a letter for you. From somebody in Africa, goin' by the
stamps.

CELIE
It's from Nettie!

Nettie appears in her white dress in Celie's memory.

NETTIE
Dear Celie, I know you think I am dead. But I am not. I've been writing every week
all these years, but I guess you haven't gotten any of my letters because you haven't
written back.

CELIE
She's alive.

NETTIE
You probably won't get this one either, 'cause I'm sure Mister is still the only one to
take mail out of the box, but if you do, one thing I want you to know, I love you, and
I am not dead.

CELIE (clutching the letter to her heart)
Nettie's alive! She's alive!

NETTIE
DEAR CELIE, DEAR CELIE, DEAR CELIE,

CELIE
Nettie!

NETTIE
DEAR CELIE, OH, I LOVE YOU.
YEARS GO BY AND STILL YOU'RE WITH ME.
ALL WE SHARE IS ONE BIG SKY.
I PRAY FOR YOUR REPLY.

I TEACH YOUR CHILDREN A-B-Cs
FOR A MISSIONARY FAMILY.
THESE BABIES SENT BY GOD ARE YOURS,

NETTIE & CELIE
ADAM AND OLIVIA -- ALIVE, ALIVE!

NETTIE
I VIBRATED LIKE A BELL
WHEN I SAW THE AFRICAN COAST.
AND I KNEELED DOWN AND THANKED GOD.

CELIE
THANK GOD

NETTIE & CELIE
THANK GOD

NETTIE
FOR LETTING US SEE THE LAND
WHERE OUR MOTHERS AND FATHERS DIED.
AFRICAN HOMELAND, HOMELAND.

NETTIE & CELIE
LAND OF MY PEOPLE, PEOPLE,

ALL
PEOPLE!

NETTIE
We are going to be working with a tribe called the Olinka.

CHIEF
LINGA
VILLAGERS
LINGA

CHIEF
OBA
VILLAGERS
OBA

CHIEF
BATUWANGA
MEN
ADA DOON DA YAY

CHIEF
LINGA
VILLAGERS
LINGA

CHIEF
OBA
VILLAGERS
OBA

CHIEF
BATUWANGA
MEN
ADA DOON DA YAY

CHIEF & VILLAGERS
LINGA
NETTIE
LINGA

CHIEF & VILLAGERS
OBA
NETTIE
OBA

CHIEF & VILLAGERS
BATUWANGA

CHIEF, VILLAGERS, CELIE & KIDS
LINGA
NETTIE
WE ARE

CHIEF, VILLAGERS, CELIE & KIDS
OBA
NETTIE
HAPPY

NETTIE
AT THE CENTER
OF THE UNIVERSE.

CHIEF, VILLAGERS, CELIE & KIDS
LINGA
NETTIE
WE ARE

CHIEF, VILLAGERS, CELIE & KIDS
OBA
NETTIE
HAPPY

NETTIE
AT THE CENTER
OF THE UNIVERSE.

CHIEF & VILLAGERS
OH DEE DEE OO DAY OO DAY OO DADOO DAY DOO DA DAY
OH DEE DEE OO DAY OO DAY OO DADOO DAY DOO DA DAY
OH YOO DOH DOO DAY AY AY

WOMEN
OH YO OON DADAY

CHIEF & VILLAGERS
OH YOO DOH DOO DAY AY AY
OH YOO DOH DOO DAY AY AY

WOMEN
OH YO OON DADAY

CHIEF & VILLAGERS
OH YOO DOH DOO DAY AY AY

CHIEF & VILLAGERS
OH DEE DEE OO DAY OO DAY OO DADU DAY DOO DA DAY
OH YOO DOH DOO DAY AY AY

WOMEN
OH YO OON DADAY

CHIEF & VILLAGERS
OH YOO DOH DOO DAY AY AY
OH YOO DOH DOO DAY AY AY

WOMEN
EELEEYAH OODAY

CHIEF & VILLAGERS
OH YOO DOH DOO DAY AY AY

NETTIE
IT WAS LIKE BLACK SEEING BLACK
FOR THE FIRST TIME.
SHINY BLUE BLACK PEOPLE LOOKING REAL FINE
IN BRILLIANT BLUE ROBES
THAT FLY ON THE WINDS
LIKE A BEAUTIFUL QUILT
STITCHED TOGETHER BY FRIENDS.

CELIE
YOU COULD PUT EVERYTHING I KNEW
IN A THIMBLE.
WHAT WE'RE TAUGHT TO BE
DON'T RESEMBLE
THE KINGS AND QUEENS
WHO FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS
RULED MAGNIFICENT CITIES
WASHED AWAY BY TEARS.

THE CHIEF
Ah too bah yah!

The hunt drums begin.

THE CHIEF
Ah too bah yahhhh!

WOMEN, CELIE & NETTIE
EE YEA AHN YA
EE YEA AHN YA
EE YEA AHN YA
EE YEA AHN YA OH

OLINKA CHILDREN, NETTIE
HEY NYAH MAH KO WEEM BAY
(Dear Celie, I've been teaching the Olinka)
OH KO CHEE YAM WAY
(to read. But some of the women)
AH YO YAH YO... EEE!
(have become very suspicious of me)
DWEE YUM DOO WAY
(because girls have never been)
DAH SEE MA DOE YA YA
(taught to read here. Girls have never)
OH BO JAH MA MA
(been taught anything at all.)
AH YO YAH YO... EEEE!
(I don't understand everything they're)
DWEE YUM DOO WAY
(saying, but what it sounds like to me is --)

AFRICAN WIVES
WHAT THIS MESS YOU BEEN PREACHIN'?
WHY YOU TRYIN' TO CHANGE US?

NETTIE
They think I should be married.

AFRICAN WIVES (nodding in agreement)
WHOOP!
GIRL AIN'T NOTHING WITH NO MAN.
WHY YOU MAKIN' A BIG FUSS?
WHOOP!
NEED A HUSBAND AND CHILDREN
OR YOU'RE GONNA BE NOTHING.

NETTIE
I AM NOBODY'S MOTHER
BUT I AM SOMEBODY.

AFRICAN WIVES
GIRLS DON'T NEED EDUCATION.

NETTIE
SOUND LIKE THE WHITE FOLKS BACK HOME.

AFRICAN WIVES
BEST BE KNOWING YOUR STATION.

NETTIE & CELIE
BUT NOT MY OLIVIA!

AFRICAN WIVES
HMMMMMMM

AFRICAN WARRIOR
MATENGA!

NETTIE
Our village was destroyed by the white soldiers, so now we have walked with so
many other refugees to a tent camp across the border. I don't know how I will mail
this letter.

WE WALK AWAY FROM THIS RAVAGED LAND
WITH COURAGE DEEP IN OUR HEARTS
TO FACE THE UNKNOWN

NETTIE & OLINKA
TOGETHER.

NETTIE
WE'LL FIND A PLACE WHERE WE CAN BE,
WHERE SPIRIT RISE AND SOUL IS FREE.
OH, PEOPLE,
OLINKA
OON DAY UNNDALA!

NETTIE
MY PEOPLE
OLINKA
OON DAY UNNDALA!

NETTIE
I have faith that God will let us see each other again before we die. And you must
have faith too, Celie. I only hope when that day comes, we are not too old to
recognize each other. Your sister,

ALL, MEN
WE WALK AWAY
WE WALK AWAY (AHUMMMMMM, HUMMMMMM, HUMMMMMM)

CELIE
Nettie.

CELIE
God forgot about me!

SHUG
God takin' his time getting around to you, I admit, but look at all he give us.
Laughin', and singin', and sex. Sky over our heads, birds singin' to us. I think it piss
God off if anybody even walk past the color purple in a field and not notice it. He
say, "look what I made for you."

CELIE
God just another man, far as I'm concerned, he triflin' and lowdown...

SHUG
No, Celie. God not some gloomy old man like the pictures you've seen of him.
God not a man at all.

GOD IS INSIDE YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE
THAT WAS OR EVER WILL BE.
WE COME INTO THIS WORLD WITH GOD.
BUT ONLY THEM WHO LOOK INSIDE FIND IT.

GOD IS THE FLOWERS AND EVERYTHING ELSE
THAT WAS OR EVER WILL BE.
AND WHEN YOU FEEL THE TRUTH SO REAL,
AND WHEN YOU LOVE THE WAY YOU FEEL, YOU'VE FOUND IT
JUST AS SURE AS MOONLIGHT BLESS THE NIGHT.

LIKE A BLADE OF CORN,
LIKE A HONEYBEE,
LIKE A WATERFALL,
ALL A PART OF ME.
LIKE THE COLOR PURPLE,
WHERE DO IT COME FROM?
OPEN UP YOUR EYES,
LOOK WHAT GOD HAS DONE.

CELIE
You better be gettin' back. Your husband probably wonderin' where you are.

SHUG
Where do you want to be, Celie?

CELIE
With you.

SHUG
All right then.

CELIE
God gon' take me to live with you?

SHUG
Come on.

DARLENE
THAT'S SUCH A LOVELY HAT,
A FINE CHAPEAU.

JARENE
YOUR STYLE IS SO DOWN PAT,
YOUR PEDIGREE SHOWS.

DORIS
THOSE FLOWERS LOOK SO REAL,
FRESH EASTER BLOOM.

DARLENE
YOU GOT THAT VAMP APPEAL.

DARLENE
I HEARD ABOUT
THAT SHUG AVERY.
HEARD ABOUT
THAT SHUG AVERY.

JARENE
SHE WIT' SOME
HI YELLA MAN. HMMPH!

DARLENE
HEARD ABOUT THAT
SHUG AVERY

JARENE
SHE WIT' SOME
HI YELLA MAN. HMMPH!

DORIS
HE GOT A REALLY
LOOONG...

DARLENE
HEARD ABOUT THAT

JARENE
SHE WIT' SOME
HI YELLA MAN.

DORIS
...CAR!
HE GOT A REALLY
BIG CAR.

DARLENE, JARENE, DORIS
HI YELLA (HI YELLA) (HI YELLA)
HI YELLA (HI YELLA) (HI YELLA)
() (HI YELLA) (AND WHAT ABOUT PO' CHILE CELIE?)
() (WHO HOOTCHIE-KOOTCHIN' WIT' WHO?) (WHAT ABOUT PO')
() (WHO HOOTCHIE-KOOTCHIN') (PO' CHILE CELIE?)
() (WIT' WHO?) (WHAT ABOUT PO'...)

CHURCH LADIES
MISTER GON' MOOCHIE WIT' TWO!
SCANDLESS!
WHO HOOTCHIE-KOOTCHIN' WIT' WHO?

CELIE
I curse you, Mister.

MISTER
Curse me? You can't curse nobody. You poor, you black, you ugly, you a woman. I
shoulda just locked you up. Just let you out to work.

CELIE
I MAY BE PORE.
I MAY BE BLACK.
I MAY BE UGLY.
BUT I'M HERE!

MISTER
Go on, git! Git outta my house! Leave me alone! Get out of... Get out! No! Leave
me alone, you -- No! Goddamn bats get out of my --! No! Stop! Get away from
me! Ow! HELP!!!!!

What you lookin' at? Bunch of damn fools. I don't have to stay here, worthless town.
I can walk right down this road. By myself. Never see nobody I know ever again.

NOBODY TO PUT UP WITH.
NOBODY TO MESS WITH ME.
NOBODY TO PUSH ME AROUND.
NOBODY TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO.
NOBODY TO EXPECT SOMETHIN' OF ME.
NOBODY TO TELL ME WHO I AM
AND WHO I AIN'T.

Nobody!

I GOT PLENTY TO BLAME.
MY DADDY BEAT ME,
FOR MY OWN GOOD, HE SAY.
MY FIRST WIFE GOT KILT
WHEN SHE RUN AWAY.
MY KIDS IS ALL FOOLS,
MY CROPS IS ALL DEAD,
ONLY WOMAN I LOVE
WON'T LIE IN MY BED.
A BLACK MAN'S LIFE
CAN'T GET ANY WORSE
'LESS HE WASTIN' AWAY
UNDER MISS CELIE'S CURSE!
SO TELL ME HOW A MAN DO GOOD
WHEN ALL HE KNOW IS BAD?

HARPO HAPPY.
WHAT RIGHT HE GOT TO BE HAPPY?
WIFE LEAVE,
GIRLFRIEND LEAVE HIM, TOO.
HIS MAMA DIE IN HIS ARMS.
SOMEBODY TELL ME
HOW HE KEEP FINDIN'
SO MUCH GOOD FROM SO MUCH BAD?

HIS WIFE COME BACK,
HIS BUSINESS FINE.
EVERYONE SAY
HARPO SHINE.
FOR ALL THEY BEEN THROUGH,
THEY DO JUST FINE.

NOTHIN' I SAY
CHANGE PEOPLE MIND ABOUT ME.

AIN'T GON' BE NOTHIN' I SAY,
GON' BE SOMETHIN' I DO.
MAYBE ALL MY GOOD LAY AHEAD OF ME.
AIN'T GON' BE NOTHIN' I SAY,
GON' BE SOMETHIN' I DO.
MAYBE EVERYTHING I DO.

CELIE
Dear Nettie, I went back home. The house was okay, but the store was a dusty mess.
But I fixed it up, and now I'm makin' pants for anybody who wants 'em. I change the
cloth, I change the print, I change the waist, I change the pocket. Only thing I can't
do is quit makin' 'em.

ALL I NEED'S A NEEDLE AND A SPOOL OF THREAD.
GOT ABOUT A MILLION PATTERNS IN MY HEAD.
ALL THE LADIES' LEGS ARE GONNA LOVE TO DANCE
WHEN THEY IN MISS CELIE'S PANTS.

GLODENE & ODESSA
GABARDINE, VELVETEEN, SATIN, OR LACE.
BUTTONS AND BOWS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

CELIE
STYLES THAT MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE A QUEEN.

CHURCH LADIES
THAT WOMAN'S A WIZ WITH HER SEWIN' MACHINE!

EVERYONE
WHO DAT SAY
WHO DAT SAY
WHO DAT?
WHO DAT SAY
WHO DAT SAY
WHO DAT?
WHO DAT SAY
WHAT YOU SAY
IN MISS CELIE'S PANTS!

WHO DAT SAY
WHO DAT SAY
WHO DAT?

SOFIA
LOOKIT HERE,
GET OUT MY WAY.
SOFIA'S BACK,
AND I'M HERE TO STAY

EVERYONE
IN MISS CELIE'S PANTS!

SHUG
GIRL, YOU SWEPT OUT THE MEM'RIES,
FILLED THIS PLACE WITH JOY.

SOFIA
IN THIS BIG OL' STORE

DORIS
GOT YOUR SEWING MACHINES,

DARLENE
MIRRORS SHINY CLEAN,

JARENE
AND A FITTIN' ROOM
SMELL LIKE SWEET PERFUME.

SOFIA
THAT MAN MIGHT HAVE

SHUG, GLODENE & ODESSA
DONE YOU WRONG,

CELIE
BUT LOOK...
I SAID, LOOK...
ARE YOU LOOKIN'? ...

Celie looks around at all of them and sings to Shug.

CELIE
LOOK WHO'S WEARING THE PANTS NOW!

EVERYONE
WHO DAT SAY
WHO DAT SAY
WHO DAT?
WHO DAT SAY
WHO DAT SAY
WHO DAT?
WHO DAT SAY
WHAT YOU SAY
IN MISS CELIE'S PANTS!

(SCAT)

WHO DAT SAY
WHO DAT SAY
WHO DAT?
WHO DAT SAY
WHAT YOU SAY
IN MISS CELIE'S PANTS!

HARPO
I FED THE CHICKENS AND I CHOPPED THE WOOD,
AND THEN I PUT UP THE PEACHES LIKE YOU SAID I SHOULD.
I MENDED THE FENCES AND PAINTED 'EM, TOO.
NOW, IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO FOR YOU?

SOFIA
I MILKED TWELVE HEIFERS BY THE EARLY MORN',
AND THEN I SHUCKED ABOUT A HUNDRED EARS OF CORN.
I SCRUBBED ALL YOUR BRITCHES 'TIL THEY LOOK BRAND NEW.
NOW, IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO FOR YOU?

HARPO & SOFIA
ANY LITTLE THING YOU MIGHT WANT ME TO?

SOFIA
I RUBBED MAGNOLIA PETALS ON MY SKIN.

HARPO
MMMM, I CUT MY TOENAILS AND SHAVED MY CHIN.

SOFIA
I'LL TURN OUT THE LIGHT.

HARPO
I'LL POUR THE BREW.

HARPO & SOFIA
NOW, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO FOR YOU?
ANY LITTLE THING YOU MIGHT WANT ME TO?
ANY LITTLE THING YOU MIGHT WANT ME TO?

SOFIA
ANY LITTLE THING...

HARPO
ANY LITTLE THING...

HARPO & SOFIA
NOW, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO FOR YOU?
ANY LITTLE THING YOU MIGHT WANT ME TO?
ANY LITTLE THING YOU MIGHT WANT ME TO?

SHUG
Celie, all I ask is six months to have my last fling.

CELIE
BUT WHAT ABOUT TRUST?

SHUG
I got to have it, Celie. I'm too weak a woman not to.

CELIE
WHAT ABOUT TENDERNESS?

SHUG
But if you just give me six months, I'll try to make our life together what it was.

CELIE
WHAT ABOUT TEARS WHEN I'M HAPPY?

SHUG
When it's over, I'll come back to Georgia. Live there if you want.

CELIE
WHAT ABOUT WINGS WHEN I FALL?

SHUG
My heart hurt so much for sayin' this to you.

CELIE
YOU SAID YOU WOULD BE

SHUG
I love this boy and I'm scared to death...

CELIE
A STORY FOR ME

SHUG
You know this boy gon' hurt me twice as much as I'm hurtin' you,...

CELIE
THAT I COULD BELIEVE IN FOREVER.

SHUG
...please just forgive me...

CELIE
AND WHAT ABOUT...

SHUG
...and let me come back when it's over.

CELIE
No. You know I love you and you still do this? No.

CELIE
I DON'T NEED YOU TO LOVE ME,
I DON'T NEED YOU TO LOVE.

I GOT...
I GOT...

I GOT MY SISTER.
I CAN FEEL HER NOW,
SHE MAY NOT BE HERE, BUT SHE STILL MINE.
I KNOW SHE STILL LOVE ME.

GOT MY CHILDREN.
I CAN'T HOLD THEM NOW,
THEY MAY NOT BE HERE, BUT THEY STILL MINE.
I HOPE THEY KNOW I STILL LOVE THEM.

GOT MY HOUSE.
IT STILL KEEP THE COLD OUT.
GOT MY CHAIR
WHEN MY BODY CAN'T HOLD OUT.

GOT MY HANDS
DOIN' GOOD LIKE THEY S'POSE TO,
SHOWIN' MY HEART
TO THE FOLKS THAT I'M CLOSE TO.

GOT MY EYES.
THOUGH THEY DON'T SEE AS FAR NOW,
THEY SEE MORE 'BOUT HOW THINGS
REALLY ARE NOW...

I'M GONNA TAKE A DEEP BREATH.
GONNA HOLD MY HEAD UP.
GONNA PUT MY SHOULDERS BACK,
AND LOOK YOU STRAIGHT IN THE EYE.
I'M GONNA FLIRT WITH SOMEBODY
WHEN THEY WALK BY.
I'M GONNA SING OUT...
SING OUT.

I BELIEVE I HAVE INSIDE OF ME
EVERYTHING THAT I NEED TO LIVE A BOUNTIFUL LIFE.
WITH ALL THE LOVE ALIVE IN ME
I'LL STAND AS TALL AS THE TALLEST TREE.
AND I'M
THANKFUL FOR EVERYDAY THAT I'M GIVEN,
BOTH THE EASY AND HARD ONES I'M LIVIN'.
BUT MOST OF ALL
I'M THANKFUL FOR
LOVING WHO I REALLY AM.

I'M BEAUTIFUL.
YES, I'M BEAUTIFUL,
AND I'M HERE.

CELIE
Now who that comin'?

NETTIE
HEY, SISTA, WHATCHA GON' DO?
GOIN' DOWN BY THE RIVER,
GONNA PLAY WITH YOU.

NETTIE
Celie!

CELIE
Nettie!
My Nettie home.

DEAR GOD, DEAR STARS, DEAR TREES, DEAR SKY,
DEAR PEOPLES, DEAR EVERYTHING, DEAR GOD,

GOD IS INSIDE ME AND EVERYONE ELSE
THAT WAS OR EVER WILL BE.
I CAME INTO THIS WORLD WITH GOD
AND WHEN I FINALLY LOOKED INSIDE, I FOUND IT,
JUST AS CLOSE AS MY BREATH IS TO ME.

CELIE/NETTIE/SOFIA
RISING.........

ADAM/OLIVIA
RISING.........

SHUG/MISTER
RISING.........

CELIE/NETTIE/SOFIA/SHUG/MISTER/ADAM/OLIVIA
LIKE THE SUN
IS THE HOPE THAT SETS US FREE

CELIE
YOUR HEART BEAT
MAKE MY HEART BEAT

CELIE/NETTIE/SOFIA/SHUG/MISTER/ADAM/OLIVIA
WHEN WE
SHARE LOVE.

FULL COMPANY
LIKE A BLADE OF CORN,
LIKE A HONEYBEE,
LIKE A WATERFALL,
ALL A PART OF ME.
LIKE THE COLOR PURPLE,
WHERE DO IT COME FROM?
NOW MY EYES ARE OPEN,
LOOK WHAT GOD HAS DONE.

ENSEMBLE 1, ENSEMBLE 2, ENSEMBLE 3
IT TAKE A GRAIN OF LOVE (BE DEE DA DO BA DO BOP)
TO MAKE A MIGHTY TREE. (BE DEE DA DO BA DO BOP)
TO MAKE A MIGHTY TREE.
EVEN THE SMALLEST VOICE (BE DEE DA DO BA DO BOP)
CAN MAKE A HARMONY. (THERE'S SOMETHING FOR ME.)
LIKE A DROP OF WATER (BE DEE DA DO BA DO BOP)
KEEP THE RIVER HIGH, (BE DEE DA DO BA DO BOP)
THERE ARE MIRACLES (BE DEE DA DO BA DO BOP)
FOR YOU AND I. (THERE'S SOMETHING FOR ME.)
LIKE A BLADE OF CORN, (BE DEE DA DO BA DO BOP) (GOD IS INSIDE YOU)
LIKE A HONEYBEE, (BE DEE DA DO BA DO BOP) (AND EVERYONE ELSE.)
LIKE A WATERFALL, (BE DEE DA DO BA DO BOP)
ALL A PART OF ME. (THERE'S SOMETHING FOR ME.)
LIKE THE COLOR PURPLE, (BE DEE DA DO BA DO BOP) (GOD IS THE FLOWERS)
WHERE DO IT COME FROM? (BE DEE DA DO BA DO BOP) (AND EVERYTHING ELSE.)
NOW MY EYES ARE OPEN, (BE DEE DA DO BA DO BOP)
LOOK WHAT GOD HAS DONE.

CELIE
I DON'T THINK US FEEL OLD AT ALL.
I THINK THIS IS THE YOUNGEST US EVER FELT.

CELIE & ENSEMBLE
A-

CELIE
-MEN!
COMPANY
-MEN!

Thanks to angelrecords for lyrics.