//------------------------------// // APPENDIX: "Free/Canter On", the complete lyrics // Story: The Mare in the High Castle // by ponichaeism //------------------------------// "FREE" A joyous, racuous showstopping finale in the vein of a rock opera. VERSE 1 [ASH & RIVER] Just glance up at the sky and you will see Nature's way has returned in utter harmony That hateful sun has blighted its last day Everypony can now turn to each other and say [ASH] You're free to be you.... [RIV] and I'm free to be me [BOTH] Free to take our place in the hierarchy [RIV] A brand new dusk.... [ASH] for a brand new day of pony [BOTH] The moon is shining down on our new liberty PRE-CHORUS [BOTH] Now that we're all free of our shackles and chains Now that we're all free of our heartaches and pains [ASH] No, no more of her taxing lies [RIV] We all refuse to compromise [BOTH] Now that we mesh together like a mise-en-scene Now that we mesh together like a well-oiled machine [ASH] No more of her cruel slaveries [RIV] Keeping us down with fresh levies CHORUS [COMPANY] Free at last, free at last, thank the princess, we're free at last! All the pain, all the tears, thanks to Luna, are in the past! Free at last, free at last, thank the princess, we're free to see! Brand new world, brave new world, where we will know, who we should be! VERSE 2 [BROWNIE] Free from de pain, oh, it makes mah hair curl Havvin' to find mah own way in dis wurld! But now Ah kin get down on mah knees an' pray Ah ain't got no mo' worries dis moonlit day! [PEGASUS CAPTAIN] It's in my blood and courses through my veins An irresistable duty to protect the great chain The chain of being that harmonizes ponykind United we stand, united we fly, united of mind PRE-CHORUS [ASH & RIVER] Now that we're all free of our shackles and chains Now that we're all free of our heartaches and pains [ASH] We've had enough of her outrage [RIV] It's long past due time for a change [BOTH] Now that we mesh together like a mise-en-scene Now that we mesh together like a well-oiled machine [ASH] No longer forced to conspire [RIV] Against our true heart's desire CHORUS [COMPANY] Free at last, free at last, thank the princess, we're free at last! All the pain, all the tears, thanks be to her, are in the past! Free at last, free at last, thank the princess, we're free to see! Brand new world, brave new world, where we will know, who we should be! "CANTER ON" A sparse interlude in the finale, in three sections. SECTION 1 (march-like cadence) [LILY GILD] The princess of the night has sounded the call To join her on that mountain on the horizon To build a shining city that will never fall Never blister and boil under the harsh sun [RIV] So canter on down the road to build that city An eternal capital to last the eternal night Don't you be lazy or forget your propriety There's work to be done before our respite [BRN] Yessum, ma'am, Ahm hearin' ya loud an' right Wit mah hooves Ah'll raise up dis new city Shinin' on dat hill, shinin' powerful bright Thanks aplenty, ma'am, for dis here opportunity [ASH] So canter on down the road! [PEG] Yes, sir! We will obey! [ASH] Like lightning and thunder, a hammer at the forge, To make sure your wards shall never go astray, You'll craft our new world.... [PEG] and lead the charge! [ASH] Those are my boys, always fly brave and true, As you lead the way into our brand new society Be bold and proud.... SECTION 2 (quiet and reflective) Hey, River, why so blue? We're about to build the most perfect city [RIV] I can't get the fallen Fayton out of my head It was unnatural for a pegasus to love me He broke every natural law with what he said Yet all I can think of now is his bravery [ASH] River, you know, as Lily says with insistence, All things under the moon have rhyme and reason A part of the natural order framing existence His forbidden love allowed this changing season [LIL] He was a pegasus and his bravery can't be denied It was a thought of you that drove him to demand Freedom from Solara, and though he may have died, He ushered in the night under our princess's command [ASH] Perhaps it was destiny, his forbidden love, Because of it he died a brave hero's death [LIL] All things serve the natural order above Even gentle treasons whispered on our breath SECTION 3 (growing bolder, building up energy) [RIV] You would call him traitor? That noble pegasus? [ASH] You called him so. Unnatural, didn't you say? [RIV] Only because he believed in love between us [LIL] No difference. Both treason and social decay Are symptoms of a sick ruler who uses force To corrupt a kingdom she wishes to crush Rather than live with his unnatural remorse Fayton chose to lay down his life saving us [RIV] A hero he was, and ever shall be, in my heart I refuse to cast him as a traitor to our cause No, he'll always be a noble little upstart His courage to do what's right gives me pause In the end, Fayton choose how he lived and died He was free to embrace the goodness in his heart The natural order connecting us all, far and wide The unnatural love he held surely played its part And though Fayton may be dead, buried and gone In the hearts and minds of the ponies he freed His sainted memory will carry on, as we canter on Down the road to Canterlot, his name will be our creed No, Fayton, we will never forget! We'll never forget what you accomplished.... [RIVER, ASH, & LILY] In freeing us In seeing us As we are and always shall be.... Because of him, we're free.... We're free.... We....are....free....! "FREE (REPRISE)" CHORUS [COMPANY] Free at last, free at last, thank the princess, we're free at last! All the pain, all the tears, thanks be to Luna, are in the past! Free at last, free at last, thanks to Fayton, we're free to see! Brand new world, brave new world, where we will know, who we should be! VERSE 3 [RIV] So let's gallop on down the road to Canterlot The sun has set forever on this blessed plot Let's build a city to shine for eternity Let's build a city in natural harmony [ASH] Where you're free to be you, and where I can be me [BRN] Where we's be takin' are place in de high-arkee [RIV] A brand new dusk.... [ASH] for a brand new night of pony [ALL] The moon is shining down on our new liberty! [RIV] So let's gallop on down the road to Canterlot As you raise those spires we'll inspire you lot [BRN] You got it, Miss Wilde, and you sho'ly will see Dat wit guidance we ain't gun be no mo' lazy [LIL] So let's gallop on down the road to Canterlot [RIV] I won't let Fayton's sacrifice be all for naught [ASH] The greatest city there ever was or ever shall be [RIV] With the blood of patriots we are forever free! PRE-CHORUS [ASH & RIVER] Now that we're all free of our shackles and chains Now that we're all free of our heartaches and pains [ASH] An eternal night, an eternal age [RIV] We're forever free of our cage [BOTH] Now that we mesh together like a mise-en-scene Now that we mesh together like a well-oiled machine [ASH] That lifts us up so much higher [RIV] To the point where we aspire CHORUS [COMPANY] Free at last, free at last, thank the princess, we're free at last! All the pain, all the tears, thanks be to Luna, are in the past! Free at last, free at last, thanks to Fayton, we're free to see! Brand new world, brave new world, where we will know, that we are forever free!