Hands
Book, Lyrics and Co-Music: Noelle Donfeld, Co-Music and Arrangements: Nathan Wang
Hands
Presented at Theatre Building Chicago’s Stages Festival, Hands is a suspenseful adaptation of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The story follows the journey of a courageous slave, Tom Shelby, as he struggles to counter the inhumane influence and power of a heinous slave trader over his fellow slaves.
Act 1: It is the 1830’s and Tom Shelby, the enslaved overseer on a failing Kentucky farm, allows himself to be sold to a sinister slave trader, Simon Legree, rather than escape, to protect his fellow slaves. As a young boy is included in the sale, Tom aids in the escape of the child and his mother, engendering the hatred of Legree, who is determined to break Tom’s will. On a ship en route to New Orleans , Tom is noticed by Eva St. Clare, an ailing young girl, who convinces her wealthy, dilettante father to purchase Tom. Although life with Eva at the St. Clare estate in New Orleans is pleasant, Tom longs to return to his beloved wife, Chloe, and children. Eva’s aunt becomes jealous of the child’s familial relationship with Tom, and when both Eva and her father die, the aunt destroys Tom’s emancipation papers and sends him to the auction block with the other St. Clare slaves. Tom’s only memento of Eva is a lock of her blond hair. At the auction, Legree, seeing Tom and determined to get revenge, buys Tom once more along with a young girl, Topsy.
Act 2: At Legree’s hellish plantation, Tom risks his life to prevent Topsy’s rape, with the help from Legree’s Haitian slave and mistress, Cassie. As Legree’s slave henchmen beat Tom, they discover the lock of Eva’s hair, which Legree mistakes for that of his dead mother. Preying on Legree’s superstition, Cassie and Tom convince Legree that his mother’s ghost is in his garret, which allows Cassie and Topsy to hide there safely before they escape. Refusing to search for the slaves, Tom angrily confronts Legree and is beaten to the point of death. Rather than condemn the slaves who have beaten him, he tells them he’d gladly die to save their souls. The henchmen are finally affected by Tom’s compassion and turn on Legree, locking him in the garret with his mother’s “ghost”. As Tom lies dying, his wife and his former master in Kentucky, whose fortune has improved, arrive to buy him back, as the other slaves prepare for a mass escape.
Selected Lyrics
JUST LIKE A RIVER
JUST LIKE A RIVER
c) Donfeld/Wang
(Tom convinces his son, Rafe, that they will never be separated as Eliza’s son is from his father, as he has been promised his freedom as soon as the Shelby ’s farm recovers from several poor harvests.)
Tom
WE’RE JEST LIKE A RIVER THAT FLOWS TO THE SEA.
NOTHIN’ CAN STOP IT. IT’S BOUND TO BE FREE.
NOTHIN’ CAN BLOCK IT FROM GOIN’
WHERE IT WILL.
IT ONLY SEEMS STILL…IT ONLY SEEMS STILL.
STARTS IN THE HEAVENS, OR THAT’S HOW IT SEEMS.
FLOWS DOWN THE MOUNTAINSIDE, KICKIN’ UP STEAM,
BROILIN’ AN’ GROWIN’ AND PICKIN’ UP STREAMS,
IT ONLY SEEMS STILL, SO IT SEEMS.
NO HANDS CAN BLOCK IT.
NO CHAINS CAN LOCK IT.
NOTHIN’ CAN DRAG IT AWAY.
NO ONE CAN OWN IT; NO ONE CAN TRY.
THEY ONLY CAN WATCH WHILE THE RIVER ROLLS BY.
SOMETIMES THERE’S TROUBLE,
THE WATER MIGHT BUBBLE,
AN’ MAYBE THE FLOW TAKES A FALL.
MAYBE IT MEETS A TOWN
IT’S GOTTA ROLL AROUN’.
MAYBE THE STREAM SEEMS TO STALL.
SOMETIMES IT’S COLDER OR
MAYBE A BOULDER COMES
TUMBLIN’ DOWN WITH A CRASH.
STILL, WHEN IT TUMBLES IN
MAKIN’ THE WATERS SPIN,
ALL YOU CAN FEEL IS A SPLASH.
WE ARE THAT RIVER THAT FOLKS CAN’T
DIVIDE.
JEST LIKE A RIVER, WE’LL FLOW SIDE BY SIDE.
JEST LIKE THE WATERS TOGETHER WE’LL RUN,
‘CAUSE I IS YOUR DADDY, AND YOU IS
MY SON.
Rafe
NO HANDS WILL BLOCK US.
Tom
No.
Rafe
NO CHAINS WILL LOCK US.
Tom
No.
NOTHIN’ WILL DRAG US AWAY.
Rafe
NO ONE WILL OWN US.
Tom
BETTER NOT TRY.
Tom and Rafe
THEY ONLY CAN WATCH AS THE RIVER ROLLS BY.
WE ARE THAT RIVER THAT FOLKS CAN’T DIVIDE.
JEST LIKE A RIVER, WE’LL FLOW SIDE BY SIDE.
JEST LIKE THE WATERS, TOGETHER WE’LL RUN,
Tom Rafe
‘CAUSE I AM YOUR DADDY. ‘CAUSE YOU ARE MY DADDY
AND YOU ARE MY SON AND I AM YOUR SON.
HOW MANY TIMES?
HOW MANY TIMES?
c) Donfeld/Wang
(Tom’s last moments with his wife, Chloe, after he has been sold to Simon Legree.)
Chloe
I NEVER EVEN QUESTIONED WHAT I LACKED IN LIFE,
FOR ALL I EVER WANTED WAS TO BE YOUR WIFE.
WITH A MAN LIKE YOU TO SHARE MY DAYS
AND CHILDREN WHO WERE MINE TO RAISE
AND A LORD I LEARNED TO TRUST AND PRAISE,
THE WORLD WAS RIGHT, AND EVERYTHING WAS BRIGHT.
MY NEEDS WERE ALWAYS SIMPLE,
AND MY WANTS WERE SMALL.
THERE’S NOTHING THAT I WANTED FOR MY OWN.
AND IF I HAD DESIRES YOU HAVE FILLED THEM ALL.
I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT WE’LL WIND UP ALONE.
I can’t believe it…
Tom
HOW MANY TIMES IN THE WORLD,
HOW MANY TIMES IN A LIFE,
HOW MANY MEN HAVE BEEN BLESSED LIKE ME
WITH THE LOVE OF SUCH A WIFE?
SOME FOLKS ARE BLESSED WITH THE TIME
TO LOVE THEIR WHOLE LIFE THROUGH.
I WOULDN’T TAKE SOMEONE’S LIFELONG LOVE
FOR A SINGLE DAY WITH YOU.
THE IMAGE OF OUR CHILDREN,
THE IMAGE OF OUR BED,
THE IMAGE OF YOUR GENTLE FACE IS
LOCKED WITHIN MY HEAD.
REMEMBER, NO MATTER HOW FAR I GO
OR HOW LONG I HAVE TO STAY,
THE MEMORIES AND THE LOVE WE SHARE
WILL NEVER GO AWAY.
Chloe
HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO US?
WE’VE NEVER LIVED FAR APART.
I’M TRYIN’ HARD TO ACCEPT WHAT I MUST,
BUT I CAN’T CONVINCE MY HEART.
HOW WILL I MANAGE ALONE?
WHAT WILL I DO WHEN YOU’RE GONE?
Tom
YOU’LL DO WHAT YOU MUST.
I HAVE FAITH IN YOU.
I KNOW YOU’LL CARRY ON.
I PRAY I’LL SEE THE CHILDREN
AGAIN BEFORE THEY’RE GROWN.
I HATE TO LEAVE THE FINEST WIFE
A MAN HAS EVER KNOWN,
BUT CHLOE, IT DON’ MATTER HOW FAR I GO
OR HOW LONG I HAVE TO STAY,
THE MEM’RIES AND THE LOVE WE SHARE
WILL NEVER GO AWAY.
Tom Chloe
NEVER BEFORE IN THE
WORLD NEVER BEFORE
NEVER BEFORE IN A LIFE,
NEVER MORE, LOVE
HOW MANY MEN HAVE BEEN
BLESSED LIKE ME
WITH THE LOVE OF SUCH OH, NO.
A WIFE? OH, NO.
Both
SOME FOLKS IS BLESSED WITH THE TIME
TO LOVE THEIR WHOLE LIVES THROUGH.
I WOULDN’T TAKE SOMEONE’S LIFELONG LOVE
FOR A SINGLE DAY WITH YOU.
THE IMAGE OF OUR CHILDREN,
THE IMAGE OF OUR BED,
THE IMAGE OF YOUR GENTLE FACE IS LOCKED WITHIN MY HEAD.
Tom Chloe
BUT, CHLOE IT DON’ MATTER BUT, TOM, IT DON’ MATTER
HOW FAR I GO HOW FAR YOU GO
OR HOW LONG I HAVE TO OR HOW LONG YOU HAVE TO
STAY STAY.
Both
THE MEMORIES AND LOVE WE SHARE
WILL NEVER GO AWAY.
IT'S IN THE AIR
IT’S IN THE AIR
c) Donfeld/Wang
(Eliza is trying to comfort her young son, Harry’s, as they are attempting to escape from Legree.)
Eliza
IT’S IN THE AIR; I CAN FEEL IT.
I KNOW IT’S REAL,
IT’S STRONGER THAN THE SUN.
IT’S IN THE AIR; CAN YOU HEAR IT?
SOUNDS SO NEAR, IT MUST BE
FREEDOM HERE TO GUIDE US.
IT’S IN THE AIR; I CAN TASTE IT.
NO TIME TO WASTE
WITH MILES AHEAD TO RUN,
BUT IN THE AIR, CLOUDS ARE DRIFTIN’
MIST IS LIFTIN’. I SEE
FREEDOM RIGHT BESIDE US.
LOOK AT ALL THE WILLOWS WAVIN’,
WHISPERIN’ WE MUST BE BRAVE ‘N’
FILLIN’ ME WITH FREEDOM’S CRAVIN’
ROARIN’ THROUGH ME.
LISTEN TO THE CATSKILLS BLOWIN’,
TELLIN’ US TO KEEP ON GOIN’.
I CAN FEEL OL’ FREEDOM GROWIN’,
SOARIN’ THROUGH ME.
IT’S IN THE AIR, SAYIN’ HOLD ON .
DON’T FEEL THE COLD ON
TREMBLIN’ HANDS.
IT’S IN THE AIR. STEP ASIDE, FEAR,
WE WON’T HIDE HERE. I SEE
FREEDOM HERE BESIDE US.
HUSH, DEAR HARRY, HOW YOU SHIVER!
G-D WILL HELP US AND DELIVER
YOU AND ME ACROSS THAT RIVER.
IT’S NOT LONG, NOW.
IN OHIO , FOLKS WILL MIND US.
THERE YOUR DADDY’S SURE TO FIND US.
WE CAN PUT THIS LIFE BEHIND US.
JUST BE STRONG NOW.
IT’S IN THE AIR, SAYIN’ HOLD ON .
DON’T FEEL THE COLD ON
TREMBLIN’ HANDS.
IT’S IN THE AIR. STEP ASIDE, FEAR.
WE WON’T HIDE HERE, HARRY.
CHILD, DON’T BE AFRAID.
WE WON’T BE AFRAID.
YOU AND I WERE MADE
TO BE FREE.
TAKE HER BACK
TAKE HER BACK
c)Donfeld/Wang
(Eva St. Clair’s father, Augustine, who has bought Tom at his daughter’s request, along with a mischievous young slave, Topsy, has given the young girl to his bigoted, hypocritical sister, Ophelia, in the hope they will have a positive affect on each other. They don’t!)
Ophelia
TAKE HER BACK. I DO NOT WANT HER,
NEVER DID, AS YOU’RE AWARE.
FOR THERE’S NOTHIN’ THAT WILL DAUNT HER.
SHE’S A BRAT. SHE DOESN’T CARE.
SHE HAS PARED AWAY MY PATIENCE.
I’M A FLUTTER, I’M A WRECK.
IF YOU DON’T TAKE BACK YOUR PRESENT, I WILL WRING ITS LITTLE NECK!
Augustine
I MUST ADMIT I’M ALSO WARY,
BUT DIDN’T YOU HELP SOME MISSIONARY
TRAVEL TO DARKEST AFRICA LAST YEAR?
YOU SENT HIM OFF WITH HOPE AND MONEY.
DON’T YOU AGREE IT’S RATHER FUNNY,
“FEELIE” CAN’T REACH EVEN ONE CHILD HERE?
Ophelia
AUGUSTINE, I’VE TRIED MY BEST.
I HAVEN’T HAD A MOMENT’S REST.
I’M TEACHING HER TO READ AS I AGREED.
BUT IT MUST TAKE SOMETHIN’ EVIL
TO CREATE THIS MUCH UPHEAVAL
AND MAKE MISCHIEF AT HER UNRELENTIN’ SPEED!
I HAVE TRIED SO HARD TO REACH HER,
AND I’VE DONE MY BEST TO TEACH HER
FROM THE CATECHISM AND THE HOLY BIBLE.
BUT YOU’VE GIVEN ME A DEVIL
WHO, IT’S PLAIN TO SEE, MUST REVEL
IN DESTROYIN’ THINGS,
AND I WILL NOT BE LIABLE.
JUST TODAY SHE BROKE THE MIRROR.
THE ENTIRE HOUSE COULD HEAR HER
STOMPIN’ MADLY DOWN THE HALLWAY
SCRAPIN’ PAPER OFF THE WALL.
DAY AFTER DAY THE WRETCH IS RUDE.
SHE TOLD ADOLPH I’M TATOOED.
I HATE HER.
SOMETHIN’S LOST AND YOU CAN’T FIND IT?
REST ASSURED THAT SHE’S BEHIND IT.
SHE’LL PURLOIN A PERSON’S CLOTHES.
SHE PUTS THEM ON, THEN OFF SHE GOES.
SHE TOOK MY EARBOBS, NOW THEY’RE LOST,
NEVER MINDIN’ WHAT THEY COST.
I HATE HER.
SCOLD THE CHILD, SHE’LL SCOLD YOU BACK.
WHAT SHE NEEDS IS ONE ENORMOUS WHACK.
Augustine
Ophelia!
Ophelia
THAT IS ALL SHE DESERVES
ALWAYS NEEDLIN’ MY NERVES.
I AM FAINT. I’M SHAKEN.
TELL HER TO LEAVE, SHE MAKES A FACE.
LIKE THE REST, SHE’S NEVER LEARNED HER PLACE.
IF YOU THINK A BLOODY SAINT
COULD GO ON WITHOUT COMPLAINT,
YOU ARE QUITE MISTAKEN.
SHE’S A BANSHEE
Augustine
She’s a child!
Ophelia
WHO BELONGS BACK IN THE WILD,
WITH HER HOWL THAT CURDLES CREAM;
IT’S ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU SCREAM.
SHE’S A TOAD, A GUTTERSNIPE.
THOUGH I HESITATE TO GRIPE.
I HATE HER.
IF WE’RE CLEVER, IF WE’RE SLYER,
WE’LL FIND SOMEONE WHO WILL BUY HER.
THOUGH PERHAPS IT’S FAR TO CRUEL
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A FOOL
WHO DOESN’T KNOW THE CROSS HE’D BEAR,
A CROSS I’D GLADLY SHARE.
GIVE THE DARLIN’ AWAY,
ONLY DO IT TODAY.
FIND A BUYER. I’LL PAY HIM.
I HATE HER
MY G-D
MY G-D
c) Donfeld/Wang
(Sold to Legree at auction after the death of Eva and her father, Tom’s faith is finally broken by the horrendous conditions at Legree’s plantation.)
Tom
MY G-D, WHERE HAVE YOU TAKEN ME?
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO A SON
WHO HAS TRIED SO HARD TO LOVE YOU?
YOU HAVE HIDDEN YOUR FACE.
THERE AIN’T A TRACE
OF WHAT IS GOOD HERE.
MY G-D, HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?
MY LOVE WAS PURE. I WAS SURE
YOU HAD A PLAN FOR ME TO FOLLOW.
BUT YOU CUT ME DOWN LIKE CANE.
I’M SHACKLED WITH THE CHAIN OF FEAR.
TELL ME WHY I’M HERE.
YOU GAVE ME FAITH LIKE A SEED THAT WAS THIRSTIN’ FOR RAIN.
YOU WATCHED IT GROW LIKE A FIELD THAT WAS BURSTIN’ WITH GRAIN.
WHAT DID I DO THAT’S SO BAD? TELL ME HOW HAVE I SINNED.
WHY DO YOU BLOW ME AWAY LIKE I’M CHAFF IN THE WIND?
I AM JEST A MAN.
MY LIFE IS IN YOUR HANDS. HELP ME UNDERSTAND.
ONCE AGAIN THE PROMISE OF SALVATION
BROKE IN PIECES RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES.
ONCE AGAIN MY PROMISED LIBERATION
WAS ONLY LIES, JEST LIES.
GIVE ME AN ANSWER. GIVE ME A REASON TO LIVE.
I’M JEST A MAN WHO HAS NOTHIN’, NOTHIN’ TO GIVE.
WHY DID YOU GIVE ME A FAMILY, THEN TAKE THEM AWAY?
YOU TOOK MY WORLD FROM ME. WHERE’S MY REASON TO PRAY?
I AM JEST A MAN.
MY LIFE IS IN YOUR HANDS. HELP ME UNDERSTAND.
SOMETIMES
SOMETIMES
c) Donfeld/Wang
(Legree’s Haitian slave/mistress, Cassie, attempts to convince Legree that the ghost of his mother is in his attic so that she and other slaves can hide there until it is safe to escape.)
Cassie
SOMETIMES A HOUSE TAKES ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN.
SOMETIMES IT TAKES ON ITS OWN SPIRIT.
THE RAFTERS SHIMMY, AND THE FLOOR STARTS TO GROAN
WHEN NOONE’S NEAR IT.
I ALWAYS WONDER WHEN THE WALLS START TO SWELL,
AND THERE ARE FOOTSTEPS IN THE HALLWAY.
THERE’S NO ONE PASSIN’, BUT THE AIR STINKS LIKE HELL
UP IN THE CRAWLWAY.
WAS THAT A MOAN, OR WAS IT MY IMAGINATION?
IS SOMEONE CALLIN’ OUT YOUR NAME?
WAS THAT A CRY OF PAIN
OR ONE OF ACCUSATION,
A CRY OF GRIEF OR ONE OF SHAME?
SOME FOLKS HAVE SEEN A BODY SHROUDED IN WHITE,
A GHOULISH, SILENT APPARITION,
DART ALL AROUND THEM ‘TIL IT FLITS OUT OF SIGHT.
MERE SUPERSTITION.
THOUGH I ADMIT THAT I HAVE SEEN SOMETHING, TOO.
I SAW IT FLOATIN’ TOWARD YOUR BED.
IT SEEMED TO REACH AND PLACE ITS FINGERS ON YOU.
HERE ON YOUR HEAD.
She touches him, Simon recoils.
Legree
You’ve seen it, too?
Cassie
(More knocking is heard.)
WAS THAT A KNOCK, OR WAS IT MY IMAGINATION?
IS ALL THAT TAPPIN’ IN MY MIND?
WHY NOT GO UP SO WE CAN END THIS SPECULATION.
THOUGH IF YOU DO, WHAT WILL YOU FIND?
THE TAPPIN’S LOUDER AT THE TOP OF THE STAIR.
I THINK IT’S COMIN’ FROM THE GARRET.
GO UP AND STOP IT, BUT YOU’D BETTER BEWARE.
Hands him his gun, which is on the table beside him.
OR WOULD YOU DARE IT?
Legree quickly puts down gun. Cassie looks around and sings progressively louder.
THERE IS SOMETHING HERE, THERE IS A PRESENCE.
THERE IS SOMETHING FILLIN’ ME WITH DREAD.
THERE IS SOMETHING. I CAN FEEL ITS ESSENCE.
THERE IS SOMETHING HERE, BUT IT IS DEAD!
Simon picks up bottle and drinks.
THERE IS SOMETHING HERE, I KNOW YOU’RE THINKIN’.
THERE IS SOMETHING HERE, AND IT IS STINKIN’.
THERE IS SOMETHING HERE, SO GO ON DRINKIN’.
SO GO ON DRINKIN’, SO GO ON DRINKIN’, SO GO ON DRINKIN’.
Simon passes out again…
THERE IS NOTHING HERE.
IF YOU AIN'T ALREADY DEAD
IF YOU AIN’T ALREADY DEAD
c) Donfeld/Wang
(Tom refuses to join in the hunt for Cassie and the other two women with her, confronting Legree one final time.)
Tom
(with increasing anger.)
I ‘SPECTS THAT YOU DIED LONG AGO.
YOU’RE THE SORRIEST CRITTER A MAN COULD KNOW.
YOU’RE ROTTED OUT, A HOLLOW SHELL
THAT’S RUNNIN’ WITH THE HOUNDS OF HELL.
AND WHEN YOU’RE DUST, NO FOLKS WILL MOURN.
THEY’LL CURSE THE DAY THAT YOU WERE BORN.
I PRAYED FOR YOU TO MEND YOUR WAYS.
I PRAYED THAT YOU’D FIND BETTER DAYS.
BUT YOU’VE GONE TOO FAR, AND YOU’VE GONE TOO LOW,
AND I KNOW WHERE YOUR SOUL IS BOUND TO GO.
IF IT AIN’T THERE ALREADY.
IF YOU AIN’T ALREADY DEAD.
Legree
YOU DARE TO GIVE YOUR MASTER LIP?
YOU’LL TALK ALL RIGHT, BENEATH MY WHIP.
YOU’RE JEST A DOG, A NIGGER SLAVE
WHO’S GONNA LEARN HE WILL BEHAVE.
I’LL HAVE YOU BARK ANOTHER TUNE.
I’LL HAVE YOU HOWLIN’ AT THE MOON.
YOU’RE JEST A CUR I’LL BRING TO HEEL.
MY BOOT AND FIST ARE ALL YOU’LL FEEL.
YOU DARE TO SASS ME? WHEN I’M DONE
YOU’LL SCREAM FOR ME TO USE MY GUN.
YOU WILL BEG ME TO KILL YOU.
IF YOU AIN’T ALREADY DEAD.
Tom Legree
YOU PHAROAH’S SON, YOU’RE MINE.
YOUR HEART IS STONE
YOU’LL DIE IN DARKNESS YOU’LL BAY.
ALL ALONE.
YOU’RE COLD AS ICE, YOU’LL HOWL.
AN EMPTY SHELL,
THAT’S RUNNIN’ WITH LIKE A DOG.
THE HOUNDS OF HELL.
AND WHEN YOU’RE GONE, WHO’LL MOURN?
NO FOLKS ‘LL MOURN,
THEY’LL CURSE THE DAY LOW BORN.
THAT YOU WAS BORN.
I PRAYED FOR YOU A SLAVE
TO MEND YOU WAYS.
I PRAYED THAT YOU’D JUST A SLAVE.
FIND BETTER DAYS,
BUT YOU’VE GONE FAR
AND YOU’VE GONE TOO YOU ARE NOTHING,
LOW, NO,
AND I KNOW WHERE YOUR SOUL JUST A SLAVE
IS BOUND TO GO, WHO’LL BEG TO DIE
IF IT AIN’T THERE ALREADY,
IF YOU AIN’T ALREADY DEAD. IF YOU AIN’T ALREADY DEAD.
Legree
(Furious)
SAMUEL, QUINT, COME FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED.
Slaves enter.
MAKE SURE HIS SKIN AND BONE ARE PARTED.
I’LL NIP THIS TREACHERY IN THE BUD.
I’LL GET REVENGE. I’LL GET MY BLOOD!
A published songwriter, Donfeld is a member of the Dramatist Guild, ASCAP, ALAP, and on the Board of the Academy for New Musical Theatre, Los Angeles.