The Courtroom Lyrics

Villagers
From every corner, every street and field
From every hovel, every hut and farm
Call every witness willing to take part
Tell everyone the trial's about to start
Pierre
There is no doubt my friends that we are right
Just tell the truth as we discussed last night

Leave your pitchforks in a pile
They're forbidden in the trial
Just be calm and dignified
Keep your fighting for outside
Pierre
Come along, everyone, to the court
(they leave the stage)
(the Protestants enter)
André
We must stand by Martin!
Protestants
We must stand by Martin!
Catherine
Did he lie, can we trust him now?
André
He is not to blame, he shared our bread, and loved our Lord
Protestant
If they condemn him, they will kill us all!
All Protestants
Fierce and bright burns the light
By that banner we shall march till morning
As we sing Hosanna into Bethlehem
(the entire village is in the courtroom, Catholics on one
side and Protestants on the other, Arnaud on the Protestants'
side. Benoit is pulled over to the Catholic side.)
Judge Coras
Let me make one thing clear before we begin
In the eyes of the law every man is the same
I'm not here to pass judgment on anyone's faith
But to find out if this man has stolen a name
(A witness platform is carried in. Bertrande, who is very
pregnant, is brought in. She tries to go to Arnaud but is
restrained)
Who brings the case against this man?
Pierre
(he stands on the platform)
I do, my Lord. Pierre Guerre.
Judge Coras
The accused, state your name.
Arnaud
(stepping on the platform)
My name is Guerre. Martin Guerre!
(the Catholics protest)
Pierre
(pushing Arnaud off the platform so he can stand on it)
If justice finds he lived a lie, then justice says he has to die!
My lord!
Villager
Well justice says!
Pierre
The only penalty is death
Villager
And justice needs
Pierre
To strangle every lying prayer
Villager
The law demands
Villagers
Justice, we want justice for us, justice
(the only penalty is death)
Give us justice now
My lord, to burn this simple strip of flesh
Judge Coras
Silence!
Villagers
To shed his evil from our hearts
Judge Coras
Silence!
Call the first witness.
(Lubin stands on tthe platform)
State your name.
Lubin
Me, I'm Lubin the tailor, I should know
I made and measured Martin's wedding suit
I tell you this man's bigger than Martin
He's broader now, of that there's no dispute
Arnaud
A kitten grows into a cat
Is that so odd, what's odd in that?
I'd been away for seven years
Galoche
(he stands on the platform)
Me, I'm Galoche the cobbler, I should know that this man's
feet are smaller than Martin's
Answer that!
Arnaud
This swindler always made shoes overlarge
Galoche
That's a lie!
Arnaud
That's why Galoche can always overcharge!
Hortense
(she stands on the platform)
When he saw me, he could not recall my name
Arnaud
What I recall, Hortense, is that you were so drunk you had
forgotten it as well
(Guillaume steps on the platform)
Guillaume
Martin Guerre never loved Bertrande
Arnaud
He speaks the truth, I was too young to love
But who can say they're proud of all they've done?
Judge Coras
Where's the boy who first saw the stranger?
Let him speak
Don't be shy, come and take the stand
(several people help Benoit onto the platform)
You don't have to worry, boy
Just relax, tell the truth loud and clear
Everyone's looking to you