Power

Introducing John Winston Howard (at the time the show premiered, the Prime Minister). This was great fun to sing (in the Drowsy version) and to watch Terry Serio be absolutely chilling in (in the Belvoir one). The instrumental prelude on the demo was a “Dogs Of Damnation” reprise to set up the big entrance.

Power

JOHN HOWARD:
I was an angel in the beginning
I thought of playing but not of winning
So frail and weak, so meek and mild,
I was the world’s most agreeable child
I had my share of schoolyard beatings
I made my fair and frightened bleatings
But I began to understand
What they held in their bullying hands…

I want power! I want power!
I want to smell my own ambition in flower!
I want a sense of domination and control!
I want to bat! I want to bowl!
I want power! I want power!
The kind where servant girls bring tributes by the hour!
And I won’t rest until I rule the school!
Then I’ll be hip, then I’ll be cool.

BAND:
You’ll be empowered, John Winston Howard

HOWARD:
Not a single soul alive to call me coward!

BAND:
You’ll be the big, big cheese

HOWARD:
I won’t say sorry! I won’t say please!

BAND:
You’ll be empowered, John Winston Howard

HOWARD:
They’ll pay for every time I scraped and bowed and cowered
I’ll do what must be done
To make John Howard number one!

At university, I took my hisses
My slings and brickbats, my hits and misses
But ev’ry moment mocked and cursed
Increased my hunger, increased my thirst
And so the party fed my ambition
They let me lead the Opposition
They let me lead, then tore me down
But that won’t happen this time around…

I want power! I want power!
Not just to sit in Opposition and glower!
I want to turn this mother loose!
Show me the money! Give me the juice!
I want power! I want power!
I’ll give Australia a gorgeous golden shower!
And I won’t rest until I rule!
Then I’ll be cruel, then I’ll be cool.

BAND:
You’ll be empowered, John Winston Howard

HOWARD:
I’ll show that Keating joker how his grapes have soured!

BAND:
You’ll be the man in charge

HOWARD:
I’ll go ballistic! I’m livin’ large!

BAND:
You’ll be empowered, John Winston Howard

HOWARD:
With a biography by Pru and David Goward
And when it comes to be,
I’ll make the bastards bow to me!
And when it comes to be…
BOW TO ME.

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