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Maybe - Live at Strathmore

Maybe - Live at Strathmore
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Maybe - Live at Strathmore
04:17
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Maybe - Live at Strathmore

It's Not Easy Being a Prophet
04:42
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It's Not Easy Being a Prophet

What Can I Pray for Now
04:00
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What Can I Pray for Now

Our Land is Failing
02:56
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Our Land is Failing

Song Descriptions

1

“Maybe” – Act I

Ruth, a young adult, lives alone in Moab (Jordan) about 1100 BCE. She is estranged from her own family and knows only the strife and war life in Moab inflicts on her. She meets Mahlon, who with his brother and parents have arrived from Judea. They begin to talk; Mahlon speaks to Ruth of a different world, an entirely different way of life, and of peace, that he has lived and that could be brought to Moab. Utterly stunned by this revelation, Ruth now wants that too, and begins to hope that “maybe” she too can find that new way of life Mahlon represents.

2

“It’s Not Easy Being a Prophet” – Act I

Naomi, now living in Moab, reads a letter from her Judean cousin, the prophet Samuel. He wants to cheer her up, give her a moment of lightness after the passing of Elimelech, Naomi’s husband. He tells her: “Hey! I have problems too!” Even though he’s a famous prophet, he sometimes does not get respect. Naomi finds comfort in this, then responds with her own letter to Samuel all  about life in Moab. Her letter to Samuel, while hopeful, will later be discovered by the Moabite Army and result in the deaths of her sons for false treason.

3

“What Can I Pray for Now” – Act I

Ruth lives in Moab (Jordan) about 1100 BCE. She and her friend Orpah meet Naomi and Elimelech, and their sons Mahlon and Chilion, all recent immigrants from Judea. Ruth marries Mahlon; Orpah marries Chilion. Ruth and Naomi begin to grow close when tragedies strike. Elimelech dies of natural causes. Just when Naomi was beginning to heal, the Moabite Army kills her only children, sons Mahlon and Chilion, on a false charge of treason. They were also husbands to Ruth and Orpah. This sudden plunge into total tragedy and despair tests the faith, hope, and strength of all three – at the same time. They are at rock bottom; they can feel only pain before they find new strength. Yet even in such pain, we see a glimmer of hope for a new bond among them.

4

Our Land is Failing – Act I

Elimelech and his family have moved to Moab (Jordan) to escape famine. The prophet Samuel sees events differently. He sings about his visions, his prophecies and how G-d will allow a natural phenomenon, a famine, and marauders from Moab and Midian to ruin the Holy Land, only because Judea lacks a king to control the chaos and disorder. Samuel is determined to continue his mission, but the seemingly hopeless future disturbs him greatly.

5

“A Well of Love” – Act I

Ruth lives alone in Moab (Jordan) about 1100 BCE. She and her friend Orpah meet and get to know Mahlon, Chilion, and their parents Naomi and Elimelech, all recent arrivals from Judea. But Ruth is reticent, hesitant, closed within herself. After a family meal Ruth is left alone with Naomi. Naomi draws Ruth out: why do you live alone? Why are you so closed? Ruth confides: she once had a brother; they were inseparable. One day the priests of Chemosh demanded a human sacrifice to bring rain for the crops. They used her brother – while their parents stood by and did nothing. But the rain never came. Ruth left home and never returned. Naomi is shocked; Ruth is so shaken by her own open confession that she retreats to sleep, while Naomi then sings to her.

6

Oy Vavoy – Act II

Naomi and Ruth have returned to Bethlehem from Moab. They settle in to make a new life. But as widows, they have no security. Naomi notes that under Mosaic law, a “widow” must marry a relative of Naomi’s, in this case the nasty, irascible Tob, who is about 60 years old. But which widow? Ruth thinks that means Naomi will marry Tob. “Oh, no, Ruth,” Naomi says, “How about if Tob marries you!” How does Ruth react? “Oy Vavoy!”

7

I’m a Good Man – Act II

Boaz, about 40 years old, is a wealthy, respected landowner and wise leader in Bethlehem. But he is alone, without a family of his own. He cares deeply for his workers, helps the poor, even his returning aunt Naomi. Boaz however has lost all track of time. He is older now, and he feels it. He didn’t care at first, but then he meets the beautiful, young widow Ruth when she returns with Naomi to Bethlehem, and later when she gleans in one of Boaz’s many barley and wheat fields. Suddenly Boaz has a real change of heart. He returns home one day from the fields and relaxes with some wine. He picks up a shiny cup, and sings a deeply personal, introspective solo  to his reflected image. There are many eligible and suitable young men for Ruth, and marrying her won’t be easy for him. He realizes that his happiness may depend on winning Ruth’s heart.

8

Where You Go, I Will Go – Act I

Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and their sons Mahlon and Chilion, have moved from Bethlehem to Moab (Jordan), to escape famine. After Elimelech passes away, Mahlon and Chilion meet two Moabite women, Ruth and her friend Orpah. They marry and prosper until war overtakes them even in Moab. The sons are then killed in a raid on their farm. Naomi is devastated – her husband and both sons now gone. Still, the prophet Samuel reports new prosperity in Bethlehem. Naomi decides to return but urges Ruth and Naomi to remain in Moab. Orpah, lacking Ruth’s courage, agrees. But Ruth objects and insists on going with Naomi. The song “Where You Go, I Will Go” takes place in the Judean desert, at the start of their arduous return trip to Bethlehem.

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