MAMAN
From the musical "Mata Hari" (1967)
(Music: Edward Thomas / Lyrics: Martin Charmin)


Arthur Prysock - 1968
Dorothy Squires - 1971
Kirk McDonald (New York Production) - 1996


I am safe, Maman, I am fine
We are deep, Maman, at the line
There are sounds, Maman, of the war
Rifles crack, Maman, cannons roar

I have fear, Maman, I'm afraid
Not of bombs, maman, nor grenades
There's a voice, maman, I can't still
And it says, Maman, can you kill
And it says, Maman, can you kill

It is cold, Maman, it is black
With the dawn, Maman, we attack
There's a hill, Maman, we must take
Can you tell, Maman, that I shake

I may die, Maman, I may die
This may be, Maman, my last goodbye
It is time, Maman, there's the Sun
Will I fight, Maman, will I run
Will I fight, Maman, will I run

He was young, Maman, he was small
I was trapped, Maman, by a wall
Then he lunged, Maman, and I spun
Face to face, Maman, gun to gun

Then and there, Maman, I could see
He was me, Maman, he was me
Just a boy, Maman, not yet a man
Can I kill, Maman, yes I can
Can I kill, Maman, yes I can



(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - July 2020)