(gentle horn music) (dramatic instrumental music) (lively horn music) (dramatic instrumental music) (somber string music) (gentle horn music) (pleasant horn music) (gentle string music) (lively string music) (dancers cheering) (spectators clapping to beat) (pleasant flute music) ♪ It's a hot night for dancin' ♪ ♪ Ain't no breeze a-stirrin' ♪ ♪ Them trees ain't moved all day ♪ ♪ It shore be still ♪ ♪ It shore be still ♪ ♪ It's just like before a cloud-burst ♪ ♪ When it smells like rain and the air be's heavy ♪ ♪ But it ain't like that tonight ♪ ♪ It's just dry and hot and still ♪ ♪ It shore is, it shore is ♪ ♪ Seems like it's always this way at meetin' time ♪ ♪ Don't it now ♪ ♪ Seems like the Lord is bendin' sinners to his will ♪ ♪ Like smokin' a fox out'n his hole ♪ ♪ The Lord sends the rain On the just and unjust ♪ ♪ Jes' like the Good Book says ♪ ♪ And us as is saved has got to suffer ♪ ♪ Hear tell the preacher what's comin' ♪ ♪ Is one what can do just that ♪ ♪ Can bring sinners to repentance ♪ ♪ Like none we ever had ♪ ♪ They say he shore hates sin ♪ ♪ They say he shore hates sin ♪ ♪ They's plenty in this valley ♪ ♪ And I'm prayin' for a rich harvest ♪ ♪ They's many a lost and wandering' soul ♪ ♪ That's gotta be brought to the light ♪ - Amen.

♪ I hope Olin Blitch can smoke 'em out ♪ ♪ I aim to do my part ♪ ♪ Let's pray for a real good meetin' ♪ ♪ Where lots of lost souls shall be found ♪ (pleasant string music) ♪ I think I'll step a few ♪ ♪ Y' got a puny heart, Bat ♪ ♪ I won't be gone but a minute ♪ (lively orchestral music) ♪ Susannah looks mighty pretty tonight ♪ ♪ It's a shame her ma can't see her ♪ ♪ It's a blessin', you mean ♪ ♪ She's a shameless girl, she is ♪ ♪ Showin' herself to all the men ♪ ♪ Look at her throwin' her head back ♪ ♪ And look at the cut of her dress ♪ ♪ But what could you expect but a wench of a girl ♪ ♪ Who was raised by a drunken brother ♪ ♪ That pretty a face must hide some evil ♪ ♪ They's evil in that one, you'll see ♪ ♪ She's a shameless wench, Susannah is ♪ ♪ And it's a blessin' her ma can't see her ♪ ♪ It's a blessin' her ma can't see her ♪ - Woo-hoo!

(lively orchestral music) - Yeehaw!

♪ How are y' called, stranger ♪ ♪ I am the Reverend Olin Blitch ♪ ♪ And I've come to New Hope Valley ♪ ♪ To cast out devils and conquer sin ♪ ♪ And bring sinners to repentance ♪ - [Bystander 1] Amen!

♪ To bring the Word of the Lord ♪ ♪ And the power of His judgments ♪ - [Bystander 2] Hallelujah!

♪ O, I am the Reverend Olin Blitch ♪ ♪ And I've come to New Hope Valley ♪ - Amen!

- Amen!

- But we expected you here tomorrow.

- I always come a day early for thinkin', and prayin', and fastin'.

- Well, we're glad to have you, brother.

And you've come in the name of the Lord.

This here's Brother Hayes, Brother Gleaton and Brother Ott.

We're the Elders of this church.

♪ You're welcome among us ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ Let's pray yer visit's gonna bless us ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ We're prayin' for a rich harvest of souls ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ And I'm proud to be in your midst, my friends ♪ ♪ And let's pray that the lost shall be found ♪ - Praise Jesus!

- Amen!

♪ To be washed in the blood, that cleansin' stream ♪ ♪ O, let's pray that the lost shall be found ♪ - Amen.

- Praise Jesus.

♪ He is the Reverend Olin Blitch ♪ ♪ And he's come to New Hope Valley ♪ ♪ To cast out devils and conquer sin ♪ ♪ And bring sinners to repentance ♪ ♪ Lord be praised ♪ ♪ Oh yes, Olin Blitch has come to New Hope Valley ♪ ♪ Lord be praised ♪ ♪ Oh yes, Olin Blitch ♪ ♪ Has come to New Hope Valley ♪ ♪ Now resume your steppin' under the eye of the Lord ♪ ♪ And let nothin' pass between y' ♪ ♪ What y' wouldn't want Him to see ♪ ♪ For the Lord ♪ ♪ Seeth all ♪ - Yes sir, that's right.

- Amen.

(pleasant flute music) (lively string music) (dancers clapping to the beat) (dancers laughing) ♪ Who's the pretty one there in the middle ♪ ♪ That's gittin' all the boys ♪ ♪ Susannah Polk, who was raised by her brother ♪ ♪ What don't draw a sober breath ♪ ♪ He's a triflin' one, that Sam is ♪ ♪ Sam Polk, that's the name he was give ♪ ♪ He just hunts and traps and fishes all day ♪ ♪ And is allers drunk at night ♪ ♪ Let's pray for his soul and his sister's ♪ ♪ I'll pray for 'em both tonight ♪ ♪ They're pore as chitlins, them two ♪ ♪ Bare able to live, that's all ♪ ♪ Susannah and Sam is evil, I say ♪ ♪ They's bad blood in that family ♪ ♪ It's too pretty a face and wicked them eyes ♪ ♪ She'll come to no good, mark my words ♪ ♪ She'll come to no good, mark my words ♪ ♪ I'll pray for her soul tonight ♪ (lively string music) ♪ Think I'll join the young folks ♪ ♪ Ain't danced in quite a spell ♪ ♪ They'd be pleased to have y', I'm sure ♪ (lively instrumental music) (somber horn music) ♪ She'll come to no good, mark my words ♪ (lively instrumental music) (dancers cheering) (gentle flute music) (somber string music) (pleasant horn music) (somber string music) (pleasant instrument music) (Susannah laughing) ♪ Was y' ever at such a nice square dance, Little Bat ♪ ♪ I ain't never had such fun, have you ♪ ♪ I danced and danced 'til I was plum' wore out ♪ ♪ I couldn'a' danced another step ♪ (Susannah signing tune) ♪ Where's Sam ♪ ♪ He ain't home yet, or he's gone to bed ♪ ♪ I'm scared o' Sam ♪ ♪ Why ♪ ♪ Why are you scared of him ♪ ♪ He gits drunk, that's what my folks say ♪ ♪ He don't never hurt nobody ♪ ♪ And he's awful good to me ♪ ♪ I'm scared o' him all the same ♪ ♪ My folks don't like me comin' here ♪ ♪ They scared o' what Sam might do ♪ ♪ My ma says they's bad blood in yo' family ♪ ♪ But I like to look at you ♪ ♪ No need to be afraid, Little Bat ♪ ♪ No harm's gonna come to y' here ♪ ♪ You sure look pretty tonight, Susannah ♪ ♪ You was pretty at the square dance tonight ♪ ♪ All them men was shore a-courtin' you ♪ ♪ I seed 'em, every one ♪ ♪ Pshaw ♪ ♪ Won't nothin' of the kind ♪ ♪ You're storyin' again, that's what ♪ ♪ The preacher he come to yer square, I seed ♪ ♪ and you's a mite pleased, I'd say ♪ ♪ He seems like a real nice fella ♪ ♪ Though he ain't much at dancin' for true ♪ ♪ He stepped on my feet so much o' the time ♪ ♪ They're bound to turn black and blue ♪ (Susannah and Bat laughing) (gentle string music) (somber horn music) ♪ Ain't it a pretty night ♪ (pleasant string music) ♪ The sky's so dark and velvet-like ♪ ♪ And it's all lit up with stars ♪ ♪ It's like a great big mirror ♪ ♪ Reflectin' fireflies over a pond ♪ ♪ Look at all them stars, Little Bat ♪ ♪ The longer y' look the more y' see ♪ ♪ The sky seems so heavy with stars ♪ ♪ That it might fall right down ♪ ♪ Out of heaven ♪ ♪ And cover us all up ♪ ♪ In one big blanket ♪ ♪ Of velvet stitched with diamond's ♪ (somber horn music) ♪ Ain't it a pretty night ♪ ♪ Just think, those stars can all peep down ♪ ♪ And see way beyond where we can ♪ ♪ They can see way beyond them mountains ♪ ♪ To Nashville and Asheville and Knoxville ♪ ♪ I wonder what it's like out there ♪ ♪ Out there beyond them mountains ♪ ♪ Where the folks talk nice ♪ ♪ And the folks dress nice ♪ ♪ Like you see in the mail-order catalogs ♪ (Susannah and Bat chuckling) ♪ I aim to leave this valley some day ♪ ♪ And find out for myself ♪ ♪ To see all the tall buildings ♪ ♪ And all the street lights ♪ ♪ An to be one of them folks myself ♪ (dramatic instrumental music) (gentle string music) ♪ I wonder if I'd get lonesome for the valley though ♪ ♪ For the sound of crickets ♪ ♪ And the smell of pine straw ♪ ♪ For soft little rabbits and bloomin' things ♪ ♪ And the mountains turning gold in the fall ♪ ♪ But I could always come back ♪ ♪ If I got homesick for the valley ♪ ♪ So I'll leave it someday and see for myself ♪ ♪ One day I'll leave and then I'll come back ♪ ♪ When I've seen ♪ ♪ What's beyond them mountains ♪ ♪ Ain't it a pretty night ♪ ♪ The sky's so heavy with stars tonight ♪ ♪ That it might fall right down ♪ ♪ Out of heaven ♪ ♪ And cover us up ♪ ♪ And cover us up ♪ ♪ In one big blanket ♪ ♪ Of velvet and diamonds ♪ (somber string music) (audience applauding) ♪ Ain't it a pretty night ♪ ♪ Sam, when did you come ♪ ♪ I'll see you tomorrow night at the picnic supper ♪ ♪ Thanks for walking me home, Little Bat ♪ ♪ How was the square dance, little robin ♪ ♪ I had a real good time, Sam, a real good time ♪ ♪ I danced and danced 'til I was plum' wore out ♪ ♪ I couldn'a' danced another step ♪ ♪ And the meeting preacher was there ♪ ♪ And he come and danced with me ♪ ♪ And so did the Elders ♪ ♪ And the Elders' wives all give me hard looks ♪ ♪ But I had a good time all the same ♪ ♪ Any of 'em court you ♪ ♪ Course not, Sam ♪ ♪ I ain't old enough for that yet ♪ ♪ Sure you are, little robin ♪ ♪ You're goin' on 19 ♪ ♪ Pretty soon you'll be an old maid ♪ ♪ I ain't a-gone git married for a long time yet ♪ ♪ I'm gonna stay here and cook for you ♪ ♪ You're a pretty wench ♪ ♪ And I'm proud to have you here ♪ ♪ And I'm right proud to eat your cookin' ♪ ♪ Don't go to bed right yet, Sam ♪ ♪ Sing me the Jaybird song first ♪ ♪ Remember how Pa used to always sing me ♪ ♪ Jaybird afore I'd go to bed ♪ ♪ You ain't sung it for me in a long time now ♪ ♪ And it always makes me feel real happy ♪ ♪ All right, I'll sing you Jaybird ♪ ♪ And then we gotta git to bed ♪ ♪ Oh, jaybird sittin' on a hickory limb ♪ ♪ He winked at me and I winked at him ♪ ♪ I picked up a brickbat and hit him on the chin ♪ ♪ 'Looka here, little boy, don't you do that again ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Jaybird sittin' on a hickory limb ♪ ♪ He winked at me and I winked at him ♪ ♪ I picked up a brickbat and hit him on the chin ♪ ♪ 'Looka here, little boy, don't you do that again ♪ - Woo-hoo!

(lively string music) (Susannah laughing) (Susannah laughing) Oh, Sam.

(Susannah laughing) Aw.

(gentle string music) ♪ Ain't it a pretty night ♪ (pleasant string music) (pleasant instrumental music) (ominous flute music) (Susannah singing operatic tune) (lively horn music) ♪ That crick oughta' be right about here ♪ ♪ I ain't see'd it for some years now ♪ ♪ I recollect it was on the old Polk place ♪ ♪ It may be dried up by now ♪ ♪ Like the one we used for baptisms last summer ♪ ♪ We got to find it ♪ ♪ Brother Blitch'll be needin' a baptism crick ♪ ♪ By sundown come tomorrow ♪ ♪ I mark him as a man what can bring in sinners ♪ ♪ And there's gotta be a crick all ready ♪ ♪ It'll be summers around here ♪ (lively instrumental music) - There!

(dramatic instrumental music) ♪ It's an outrage ♪ ♪ It's a blasphemous outrage ♪ ♪ A bather in a public place ♪ ♪ Naked as from her dead ma's womb ♪ ♪ It's a shameful sight to behold ♪ ♪ She's a shameless wench, this Susannah is ♪ ♪ My wife allers said she was evil ♪ ♪ She was right, my brethren, she was mighty right ♪ ♪ This girl, she belongs to the devil ♪ ♪ Exposin' herself in plain view of all who care to see ♪ ♪ The church won't stand for a thing like this ♪ ♪ Our people, they must be told ♪ ♪ She must be brought to punishment ♪ ♪ Brother Blitch, he must be told ♪ ♪ This woman is of the devil ♪ ♪ She is without the saving grace ♪ ♪ She must be brought to repentance ♪ ♪ Afore she meets God face to face ♪ - Amen!

(dramatic instrumental music) ♪ This woman is of the devil ♪ ♪ 'Tis a shameful sight to behold ♪ ♪ She must be brought to repentance ♪ ♪ All the valley must be told ♪ ♪ This woman is of the devil ♪ ♪ 'Tis a shameful sight to behold ♪ ♪ She must be brought to repentance ♪ ♪ All the valley must be told ♪ ♪ This woman is of the devil ♪ ♪ 'Tis a shameful sight to behold ♪ ♪ She must be brought to repentance ♪ ♪ All the valley must be told ♪ (gentle music) (lively flute music) (Susannah singing operatic tune) ♪ Look a-here, little boy, don't you do that again ♪ (Susannah laughing) (gentle music) (foreboding instrumental music) ♪ I ain't surprised, I ain't a bit surprised ♪ ♪ It's jest as I was sayin' last night ♪ ♪ 'Cept she was caught afore I'd a-thought ♪ ♪ It jes' goes to prove I was right ♪ ♪ You was righter than right, that's certain ♪ ♪ 'Twas a scandalous thing to do ♪ ♪ She's a wicked girl and a threat to the valley ♪ ♪ I'll bound she's evil through and through ♪ ♪ She shore can't tend to my young-uns no more ♪ ♪ She ain't fittin' for the job ♪ ♪ Any girl what'll do what she done ♪ ♪ Well, it's a sad thing to think upon ♪ ♪ She always seemed such a sweet girl ♪ ♪ And pleasing to have around ♪ ♪ It's a hard, hard thing to realize ♪ ♪ How naked she was found ♪ ♪ It's the cloak of the devil, that is ♪ ♪ That sweetness and pretty face ♪ ♪ Don't let that fool you, sistern ♪ ♪ It's just the devil's way ♪ ♪ Ain't the preacher comin' tonight ♪ ♪ He's a-prayin' and a-fastin' ♪ ♪ Preachin' starts tonight ♪ ♪ What's he say 'bout the Polk gal ♪ ♪ The same as what we said ♪ ♪ She's gotta make a public confession ♪ ♪ Or out of the church she goes ♪ ♪ And out of the valley, too, maybe ♪ ♪ She's a schemin' one, she is ♪ ♪ Young men ain't safe with her around ♪ ♪ She's an instrument of the devil ♪ ♪ The preacher's at Brother McLean's house now ♪ ♪ A-prayin' that her soul might be saved ♪ ♪ That she'll turn aside from her evil ways ♪ ♪ And be washed in the cleansin' stream ♪ ♪ She's a powerful one, this Susannah Polk ♪ ♪ My son she's lured away ♪ ♪ From all the things that he's been teached ♪ ♪ For that she's gonna have to pay ♪ - Amen, brother.

(ominous music) - Hey, there.

♪ I'm sorry to be late ♪ ♪ But Sam came home from huntin' awful late ♪ ♪ And I jes' couldn't git away no sooner ♪ ♪ I brought a dish o' field peas ♪ ♪ I picked and shelled em this evening ♪ ♪ And cooked 'em jest a bit ago ♪ (ominous tempo music) ♪ I'll jes' sit 'em down over here ♪ ♪ If that's all right ♪ ♪ I hope y' enjoy 'em ♪ - Susannah, you ain't welcome here!

(dramatic instrumental music) ♪ Excuse me ♪ - Excuse me!

(dramatic instrumental music) ♪ I wouldn't tech them peas o' her'n ♪ (gentle instrumental music) ♪ Little Bat, what you doin' here ♪ ♪ Is Sam here ♪ ♪ He's inside asleep ♪ ♪ I had to come tell y', Susannah ♪ ♪ Tell me what ♪ ♪ I jes' had to come tell y' ♪ ♪ Tell me what ♪ ♪ Oh, you was there tonight ♪ ♪ What is it, Little Bat ♪ ♪ What have I done ♪ ♪ My pa and the other Elders ♪ ♪ They seen you bathin' this mornin' ♪ ♪ A-bathin' without a stitch on ♪ ♪ And exposin' y'-self without no shame ♪ ♪ They gonna git y' fer doin' that ♪ ♪ They say you're a scantly sight ♪ ♪ and they're gone run you out'n the church ♪ ♪ And maybe the valley, too ♪ - They say the- ♪ What do you mean ♪ ♪ They seen me bathin' ♪ ♪ They was lookin' fer a baptism crick ♪ ♪ And they found it, only you was in it ♪ ♪ A-bathin', naked as a jay-bird ♪ ♪ They say it were a shameful sight ♪ ♪ But I been bathing there all spring ♪ ♪ They ain't had a right to come aspyin' ♪ ♪ 'Twon't no harm in what I done ♪ ♪ I been bathin' there all spring, Little Bat ♪ ♪ They told the meetin' preacher ♪ ♪ And he's prayed for yer soul all day ♪ ♪ They told all the church folks, I reckon ♪ ♪ And the whole valley know, so they say ♪ ♪ Why, Little Bat, why ♪ ♪ I ain't done nothin', I ain't ♪ ♪ They say they ain't a feller in these parts ♪ ♪ What's safe with you around ♪ ♪ They say y' let 'em love you up all they want ♪ ♪ And then send their souls to hell ♪ ♪ They say you've got the devil in ya' ♪ ♪ They say they've known it for a long time now ♪ ♪ They say that you're an evil gal, you are ♪ ♪ And that you're boun' to get yer due ♪ ♪ They say, they say ♪ ♪ Who's they ♪ ♪ Everybody ♪ (Susannah crying) (dramatic instrumental music) ♪ They's more what you don't know ♪ (foreboding instrumental music) ♪ What is it, Little Bat ♪ ♪ What don't I know ♪ - Come on.

Come on.

Tell me.

What?

What?

♪ They made me say it, I swear they did ♪ ♪ My ma she scairt me and pa did, too ♪ ♪ And it was right in front o' the preacher ♪ ♪ And I was scairt, plum' scairt to death ♪ ♪ What did they make you say, Little Bat ♪ ♪ Tell me, what did you say ♪ ♪ They made me say it, I swear they did ♪ ♪ I was plum' scairt to death ♪ ♪ Tell me, what did you say ♪ ♪ Tell me, tell me ♪ ♪ I said you'd let me love you up ♪ ♪ That's what they made me say ♪ ♪ I said you'd let me love you up ♪ ♪ And in the worse sort o' way ♪ ♪ You didn't, you didn't, you couldn't have ♪ ♪ It's a lie, it's a lie, you know it is ♪ ♪ I did, I did and I know it's a lie ♪ ♪ You was allers good to me ♪ ♪ But they made me say it, I swear they did ♪ ♪ And I was scairt, oh, Lord, I was scairt ♪ ♪ Git away from here and don't never come back ♪ ♪ Don't never come back to this house ♪ ♪ Get away, you lyin' varmint and don't y' never come back ♪ ♪ Get out ♪ (dramatic instrumental music) ♪ Get out, get out, get out ♪ ♪ Get out ♪ (Susannah crying) ♪ Feeble minded idjet ♪ ♪ Oh, Sam, something awful has happened ♪ ♪ I know ♪ ♪ I heard it all ♪ ♪ What's it all about, Sam ♪ ♪ What's it all about ♪ ♪ It's about the way people is made ♪ ♪ I reckon ♪ ♪ And how they like to believe what's bad ♪ ♪ How short they are on lovin' kindness ♪ ♪ It must make the good Lord sad ♪ ♪ They don't know it ain't what you feel that counts ♪ ♪ But what you do about it ♪ ♪ So instead they take it out on you ♪ ♪ It must make the good Lord sad ♪ ♪ 'Way out yonder somewheres ♪ ♪ The Lord's great heart must break ♪ ♪ At seeing how men treat one another ♪ ♪ And say they're doing it all for His sake ♪ ♪ It's a hard, hard thing for you to realize, I know, ♪ ♪ That people want to believe what's bad ♪ ♪ And how short they are on lovin' kindness ♪ ♪ It must make the good Lord sad ♪ ♪ But what am I gonna do, Sam ♪ ♪ What am I gonna do ♪ ♪ You can't do nothin', little sparrow ♪ ♪ It's time alone what'll tell ♪ ♪ In the meantime, there'll be a lotta bad things ♪ ♪ They'll turn this valley into hell ♪ (melancholic instrumental music) (dramatic music intensifying) ♪ Sing me the Jaybird song, again ♪ ♪ Please sing me Jaybird, Sam ♪ (Susannah crying) (dramatic instrumental music) - Good evening, I'm Linda DuRant.

You've been watching "Susannah," a production of Converse Opera Theater, and I'm joined by two members of that cast.

First, I have Kenneth Shaw as artistic director of Converse College Opera Theater.

He produced "Susannah" and also sings the role of Reverend Olin Blitch, and Geoffrey McKenzie is a candidate for the Master of Music Degree at Converse, and he sang the role of Little Bat.

And how did you choose "Susannah?"

- The National Federation of Music Clubs approached us a number of years ago, a couple of years ago, and asked if we might be involved in a five pronged celebration of their centennial.

And Converse offered the idea of producing an opera for that effort.

And after a number of different plans, we decided to, at last land on producing "Susannah" by Carlisle Floyd, a very well known American composer, who happened to attend Converse many years ago in his formative years.

He's a South Carolinian, and "Susannah" is one of his finest works.

- Tell me a little bit about mounting an opera production, the scope of "Susannah."

- It's a gargantuan task.

One has to put together a group of people, directors, designers, singers, conductors, technical personnel, to create this illusion, this story that we're trying to portray, here, this evening.

And one of the big efforts is to try to gather a group of people, not only who are artistically adept, but people who are good colleagues.

And we, I think, did a really good job with that.

- [Linda] It it appears that way on stage.

It's really a magnificent production.

- Thanks.

- Not all of the people on stage were students, obviously.

- Right.

- You had a nice mixture of professionals.

- Exactly.

- But it gives students a pretty good opportunity to see the workings of a professional company.

- Indeed, one of my mandates when I came to Converse College was to try to professionalize the opera program.

And because I've been a professional singer for almost 20 years now, I was able to contact a number of colleagues, and Elizabeth Carter, who sings the title role of Susannah, was more than willing and ready to take on this title role for us and come, and, indeed, mixed with our students, and then also our director, Laura Alley, who is also a Converse alum, is a world renowned stage director.

She indeed directed my debut at New York City Opera in 1987.

And so we were able to put those people together and a number of other professionals so that our students could have the opportunity to work hand in hand directly with the professionals and understand what that's all about.

- And that leads me to Geoffrey.

Geoffrey, I know that you're a student here and I notice in the playbill that you have some very nice credentials.

- Yes, I do have some credentials behind me, but I did not have any type of a leading role behind me as far as I had understudied Rigoletto when I was studying baritone.

But basically I rehearsed the orchestra and when the guest artist showed up, I sat down and watched.

And in this circumstance, I get to work hand in hand with Elizabeth Carter and with Laura Alley, the director, who were both just darling to work with and just made life so much easier in rehearsal.

Took away a lot of the stress.

It was an excellent experience.

- As a student, how is that getting to work with a professional company, I guess?

- It actually rounds out my education.

Converse is not easy when it comes to studying.

They actually make you study, but there's an aspect to which you study voice and eventually you go out and you don't know what to expect.

But by having guest artists with whom I've worked, I now know that they are, have attained a higher level than I have both in working with people and also in their musical ability.

And it opened my eyes to how I would better be able to work with people and how to be a better artist.

- So, Ken, I guess that leads me back to you.

Tell me about your job as the artistic director here at Converse College.

- I not only teach voice but teach opera workshop and opera studio, and what we try to do is give a little bit of a flavor to all of the students, not only on how to conduct themselves on stage and how to sing, but to understand a bit about costume design, set design, props, organizational aspects and technical aspects so that they're not surprised when they go out into the real world.

- [Linda] Well, tell me a little bit about what's coming up next year.

- We're crossing our fingers in January for "Don Giovanni" by Mozart, and hoping that we will be able to develop a partnership with a Spartanburg Repertory Company and a production of "Carmen."

- Thank you both for being with me.

And now we are going to take you back to Act Two of "Susannah."

(melancholic string music) ♪ How long's it gonna last, Sam ♪ ♪ You know that good as I do, hon ♪ ♪ How long y' reckon it'll take, Sam ♪ ♪ Whatcha mean "take," Little Sparrow ♪ ♪ Afore somethin' happens, one way or 'nother ♪ ♪ I don't much care which way ♪ ♪ You know what they's waitin' fer ♪ ♪ They's waitin' fer public confession ♪ ♪ But they ain't nothin fer me to confess, Sam ♪ ♪ There ain't nothin' fer me to confess ♪ ♪ I've prayed and prayed to see the light ♪ ♪ If somethin' I've done been wrong ♪ ♪ But I still don't feel no sin in me ♪ ♪ An' I cain't lie just fer them ♪ ♪ I know that, little robin ♪ ♪ We've been through all that before ♪ ♪ The Lord, He knows what's in yer heart ♪ ♪ So jes' don't fret no more ♪ ♪ Maybe I'm all they say I am ♪ ♪ Maybe the devil is in me ♪ ♪ Maybe he's hiding the sin I should feel ♪ ♪ I just don't know no more ♪ ♪ Shut up talking like that, Susannah ♪ ♪ And don't you think that way ♪ ♪ That's jes' what they're hopin' you'll feel, y' know ♪ ♪ Your mind sounds addled, I'd say ♪ ♪ I ain't gonna leave this place no more ♪ ♪ That's one thing I know fer sure ♪ ♪ I ain't gonna let them men at the store ♪ ♪ Talk to me the way they do ♪ ♪ I ain't never taken as much in my life ♪ ♪ As I've taken since last Tuesday ♪ ♪ Men pawin' at me and joking about me ♪ ♪ And boys makin' dirty' signs ♪ ♪ I'd kill 'em all, if it'd do any good ♪ ♪ I'd' kill 'em all, I would ♪ ♪ What have I done to deserve it, Sam ♪ ♪ Why's the good Lord punishing me so ♪ ♪ I never been in no meanness before ♪ ♪ I never even killed a bird ♪ ♪ We gotta have faith, little robin ♪ (gentle flute music) ♪ We jest gonna have to have faith ♪ (gentle flute music) (somber horn music) ♪ That meetin' preacher must be powerful one ♪ ♪ I never seed so many people gittin' baptized ♪ (somber horn music) ♪ I hear 'em singing every evening ♪ ♪ The crick must be plum' spoilt now ♪ ♪ With all them people gettin' baptized ♪ ♪ It was such a pretty place, too ♪ ♪ I never thought it'd bring me no shame ♪ ♪ I seen the preacher at the store yesterday ♪ ♪ And he spoke to me real nice ♪ ♪ He said I'd oughta come to the meetin' tonight ♪ ♪ To find rest for my sin-sick soul ♪ ♪ That's what he said ♪ ♪ I think you oughta go to the meetin' tonight ♪ ♪ To show 'em you ain't afraid ♪ ♪ Oh no, Sam, I couldn't do that ♪ ♪ Please don't ask me to ♪ ♪ I'd do 'bout anything you say, y' know ♪ ♪ But I couldn't do that, I couldn't ♪ ♪ You gotta show 'em you ain't afraid ♪ ♪ And no harm would come to you there ♪ ♪ Besides, I gotta go away tonight ♪ ♪ And I don't wanna leave y' alone ♪ ♪ You ain't gonna leave me, are y', Sam ♪ ♪ Please don't leave me, please don't ♪ ♪ I'd be terrible lonesome and scared without you ♪ ♪ So please, don't leave me, please don't ♪ ♪ I gotta go 'cross the mountain ♪ ♪ To get us some meat from my traps ♪ ♪ But I'll be back tomorrow 'fore sun-down ♪ ♪ And I'll leave you a gun to boot ♪ (lively horn music) ♪ You ain't gonna go git drunk, are y', Sam ♪ ♪ 'Course not, little robin, 'course not ♪ ♪ Will y' come back as soon as y' can ♪ ♪ As soon as you've emptied the traps ♪ ♪ Sure I will, and don't you fret ♪ ♪ I'll be back afore you've missed me ♪ ♪ I'll be back with a sack full o' critters ♪ ♪ An' we'll have food fer all next week ♪ ♪ And will ya go to the meetin' tonight ♪ ♪ Please don't ask me to do that, Sam ♪ ♪ I cain't, I plum' jes' cain't ♪ ♪ You gotta show 'em you ain't afraid ♪ ♪ And no harm would come to y' there ♪ ♪ 'Sides, I'd feel a whole lot better ♪ ♪ To know you was there 'stead o' here ♪ (lively instrumental music) (gentle horn music) ♪ All right, Sam, I'll try ♪ ♪ But if things gits bad, I'm gonna leave ♪ ♪ Cain't nobody make me stay ♪ ♪ All right, little robin ♪ ♪ And I'll be much obliged ♪ ♪ If you'll jes' go fer a little while this evenin' ♪ ♪ An' I'll be back tomorrow by sun-down ♪ (gentle string music) ♪ I can't wait 'til pretty things ♪ ♪ Looks pretty again ♪ (gentle string music) (dramatic string music) ♪ Are you saved from sin ♪ ♪ Ready to meet your Lord ♪ ♪ Has His blood made you free from the avenging sword ♪ - Take heed, brethren!

Take heed with your souls!

Remember what you give to me, you give to the Lord.

♪ Your Savior face to face ♪ ♪ Free from sin ♪ - I don't want to hear no sound of pocket change in them dishpans.

Let's praise the Lord with what we give to His servants.

Remember the widder's mite, brethren!

Remember the widder's mite.

She give all she had.

'Twarn't much but it was all she had.

The Lord knows what you made on last year's cotton crops.

So don't try to short change the Lord.

Bless Him now with your benefits.

♪ Free from sin, yes Lord ♪ ♪ Free from sin, am I ♪ ♪ And I'm going to meet Him with the saints on high ♪ ♪ We thank Thee, O Lord, for these good people ♪ ♪ And their off'rin' to Thy servant ♪ ♪ Bless them and let this meetin' tonight ♪ ♪ Bring all the lost and wand'rin' home to the fold ♪ ♪ Send down the tongue of fire upon the heads of the damned ♪ ♪ 'Til they won't find no peace ♪ ♪ 'Cept in Thy cleansin' blood.

♪ ♪ Amen, amen ♪ (ominous music) - I ain't gonna take no text tonight, and I ain't gonna preach no regular sermon.

The Lord, He spoke to me this afternoon, and He said, "Blitch, "there's gonna be lost souls at that meetin' tonight."

- Amen.

- Amen.

- "Don't take no text.

"I'll put the words in yer mouth.

- Praise Him.

- Yes, sir.

- "This week's drawin' to a close, "and there's still some to be brought to salvation.

"So close yer Bible and speak through me."

- Yes, Lord, yes.

- Amen!

- So the Lord spoke to me this afternoon, and that's what I aim to do.

- Amen!

- Amen!

- I wanna see the biggest baptism yet tomorrow evenin' when we gather at the usual place at sundown.

- Hallelujah!

- Yes.

♪ Amen ♪ ♪ Grant it, Lord, grant it, Lord ♪ (foreboding music) ♪ I'm fixin' to tell y' 'bout a feller I knowed ♪ ♪ What was young and smart and rich ♪ ♪ 'Cept he never put much thought ♪ ♪ On his poor, lost soul ♪ ♪ Or where he'd spend eternity ♪ ♪ One time when I was preachin' in Texas ♪ ♪ I was called to his home one night ♪ ♪ And there he lay all sweatin' ♪ ♪ With his eyes all starin' with fright ♪ ♪ He grabbed me by the hand and said ♪ ♪ They tell me I'm a dyin' man ♪ ♪ And I might not git through the night ♪ ♪ Seems like my pore heart's done run down too soon ♪ ♪ And I wanna make everything right ♪ ♪ I ain't lived sich a bad life ♪ ♪ I ain't drank, nor smoked, nor swore ♪ ♪ But I'm all a-feared o' dyin' ♪ ♪ I'm sure they's somethin' more ♪ - That's right.

- Yes, Lord.

- Yes, Lord, yes.

♪ Well, they was, brethren and sister'n, they was ♪ ♪ He won't saved ♪ ♪ That was it ♪ ♪ And he died that night plum' scared to death ♪ ♪ And his soul went to eternal fire ♪ - Have mercy!

- No!

♪ And there's many o' you this very night ♪ ♪ What's in the same fix as this poor man ♪ ♪ Where would your soul be tonight ♪ ♪ If you was suddenly took away ♪ ♪ Where will you spend eternity ♪ ♪ With the saved of the Lord what surround His throne ♪ ♪ Or down below where they's screamin' ♪ ♪ An' wailin' an' gnashin' of teeth ♪ ♪ Down in the bottomless pit ♪ ♪ Where they holler fer water ♪ ♪ To sooth parched tongues ♪ ♪ And they ain't none to be had ♪ ♪ Is that where you'd be ♪ ♪ Is that where you'd be ♪ (ominous music) ♪ Yes, my brethren, you'd better think on it ♪ ♪ They ain't a one of us that couldn't be took at any time ♪ - That's right.

- Yes!

♪ Not one of us and I'm includin' myself ♪ ♪ Are you prepared ♪ ♪ When they open them judgment books up there ♪ ♪ Which side of the page will you be on ♪ ♪ Tonight ain't too soon ♪ ♪ And tomorrow might be too late ♪ ♪ Tomorrow might be too late ♪ - That's right.

- Amen.

- Amen.

- Amen.

- So while the congregation sings a hymn, I want all those whose souls what wants savin' and what wants to become free of the heavy burden of sin to come down here and meet the Lord and I, here at the altar.

- [Parishioner 1] Amen.

♪ Come, sinner, tonight's the night ♪ ♪ To take a stand for God and the right ♪ ♪ Cast Satan out ♪ ♪ Regain your sight ♪ - Come and fall on your knees and ask the Lord for forgiveness.

♪ Come, sinner, salvation is free ♪ ♪ A gift from God on Calvary ♪ ♪ That cross it sheds redeeming light ♪ - It's a humbling thing to do, but you will never be sorry for humbling yourself this way.

♪ Come, yes, come and meet Him here ♪ ♪ Be washed in the blood ♪ ♪ That was bought so dear ♪ - I believe in you, friends!

Put aside your swearing!

Your drunkin' ways!

Your fornication, and meet God here!

♪ Come, sinner, tonight's the night ♪ ♪ Come, sinners, tonight's the night ♪ - I plead with you, friends, except the saving grace of the Lord Almighty and right now!

♪ Cast Satan out, regain your sight ♪ ♪ Come, sinner, tonight's the night ♪ ♪ Come, yes, come and meet Him here ♪ - Tomorrow might be too late!

Don't pass this opportunity by!

♪ Was bought so dear ♪ - Are there others?

This may be your last chance!

Tomorrow might be too late!

♪ Come, sinner, come, sinner ♪ - Tomorrow might be too late!

♪ Come, sinner ♪ ♪ Come ♪ (foreboding tempo music) - There's one in our midst tonight that pays no mind to the wooin' of God in her heart.

♪ I've wrestled with the devil for her soul and prayed ♪ ♪ That she'd accept the savin' grace O' the Lamb ♪ ♪ And put aside her sinful an' shameful ways ♪ ♪ But still she don't heed my pleadin' ♪ (gentle music) - Give over, sister, while the choir sings one more verse.

Publicly confess your sins and ask forgiveness of the Lord and these folk present tonight.

(ominous music) ♪ Come, dear sister ♪ ♪ It's a short piece to walk ♪ ♪ To find rest for yer weary soul ♪ ♪ The Lord will receive you with open arms ♪ ♪ And hold you fast tonight in His grace ♪ ♪ It's only a short, short piece to walk ♪ ♪ To find rest for yer storm-tossed, sin-sick soul ♪ ♪ Come, dear sister, and jes' let go ♪ ♪ Meet God and I right here ♪ ♪ Come, yes, come and meet Him here ♪ ♪ Be washed in the blood that was bought so dear ♪ ♪ Don't wait till darkness turns into light ♪ ♪ No ♪ ♪ Come, sinner, come sinner ♪ ♪ Come, sinner ♪ ♪ Come ♪ - The Lord bless an' keep you!

The Lord make his face to shine on you!

The Lord be gracious unto you!

The Lord lift His calvaries upon you and give you piece!

(intense music) (gentle harp music) ♪ The trees on the mountains ♪ ♪ Are cold and bare ♪ ♪ The summer just vanished ♪ ♪ And left them there ♪ ♪ Like a false-hearted lover ♪ ♪ Jes' like my own ♪ ♪ Who made me love him ♪ ♪ Then left me alone ♪ ♪ The coals of the hearth ♪ ♪ Have turned gray and sere ♪ ♪ The blue flame jes' vanished ♪ ♪ And left them there ♪ ♪ Like a false-hearted lover ♪ ♪ Jes' like my own ♪ ♪ Who made me love him ♪ ♪ Then left me alone ♪ ♪ Come back, O summer ♪ ♪ Come back, blue flame ♪ ♪ My heart wants warmin' ♪ ♪ My baby a name ♪ ♪ Come back, O lover ♪ ♪ If jes' fer a day ♪ ♪ Turn bleak December ♪ ♪ Once more into May ♪ ♪ The road up ahead ♪ ♪ Lies lonely and far ♪ ♪ There's darkness around me ♪ ♪ And not even a star ♪ ♪ To show me the way ♪ ♪ Or lighten my heart ♪ ♪ Come back ♪ ♪ My lover ♪ ♪ I fain would start ♪ ♪ The pore baby fox ♪ ♪ Lies all cold in his lair ♪ ♪ His mama jes' vanished ♪ ♪ And left him there ♪ ♪ Like a false-hearted lover ♪ ♪ Just like my own ♪ ♪ Who made me love him ♪ ♪ Then left me alone ♪ ♪ Come back, O summer ♪ ♪ Come back, blue flame ♪ ♪ My heart wants warmin' ♪ ♪ My baby a name ♪ ♪ Come back, O lover ♪ ♪ If jes' fer a day ♪ ♪ Turn bleak December ♪ ♪ Once more into May ♪ ♪ Come back, O summer ♪ ♪ Come back, blue flame ♪ ♪ My heart wants warmin' ♪ ♪ My baby a name ♪ ♪ Come back, O lover ♪ ♪ If jes' fer a day ♪ ♪ Turn bleak December ♪ ♪ Once more into May ♪ ♪ Come back ♪ ♪ Come back ♪ ♪ Come back ♪ (audience applauding) ♪ That's mighty pretty singin', Susannah ♪ - Who is it?

♪ It's yer frien', the preacher ♪ ♪ Do you allers sing so pretty ♪ ♪ I sing to myself ♪ ♪ When I'm sad and lonesome ♪ ♪ It keeps me company ♪ ♪ That's a right sad song ♪ ♪ Don't look like it'd do you much good ♪ ♪ My mama taught it to me ♪ ♪ A long time ago ♪ ♪ What do y' want here, Preacher Blitch ♪ ♪ This is what you might call a social visit ♪ ♪ I wanta talk to you 'bout yer soul ♪ ♪ There ain't nothin' to say ♪ ♪ So you're wastin' yer time ♪ ♪ You're a hard-headed one, Susannah ♪ ♪ The devil's in you ♪ ♪ Pride goeth before destruction, sister ♪ ♪ Let's kneel an' pray to God for your soul ♪ ♪ No need to pray ♪ ♪ I've done prayed enough fer us both ♪ ♪ The Lord would'a told me if I'd done somethin' wrong ♪ ♪ You still say exposin' yerself ♪ ♪ Won't no sin against the Lord ♪ ♪ I been bathin' in that crick all spring ♪ ♪ And won't no harm in it at all ♪ ♪ 'Til them Elders seen me there ♪ ♪ And started makin' up their tales ♪ ♪ They didn't make up no tales, Susannah ♪ ♪ Little Bat come over here ♪ ♪ The very night after it happened ♪ ♪ And tol' me that he lied about me ♪ ♪ Told me that he lied ♪ ♪ A-screamin' an hollerin' all over the yard ♪ ♪ He ain't never set a hand on me ♪ ♪ Sam would'a killed him if he had ♪ ♪ I wish I could believe you ♪ ♪ Don't believe it, don't believe it ♪ ♪ But it's the truth ♪ (foreboding music) ♪ And I'll tell you somethin' else ♪ ♪ I ain't never spent such a week as this ♪ ♪ Not never in all my life ♪ ♪ I don't know what it'd be like ♪ ♪ To feel happy again ♪ ♪ Or to wake up in the mornin' ♪ ♪ Without this awful thing weighin' down on me ♪ ♪ So's I don't even wanta git up ♪ ♪ And see what the day's like ♪ ♪ And all the things people's said about me ♪ ♪ And the looks people's give me ♪ ♪ And the way they treated me at the picnic supper ♪ ♪ And the way you treated me tonight ♪ ♪ I don't know what it'd be like ♪ ♪ To be happy again ♪ ♪ And if I thought this was the way ♪ ♪ The rest o' my life was gonna be ♪ ♪ I'd kill myself right now ♪ ♪ It's the sin in yer heart, that weight you speak of ♪ ♪ It's the sin in yer heart, the sin in yer heart ♪ ♪ It ain't ♪ ♪ It ain't ♪ ♪ It ain't ♪ (dramatic instrumental music) (Susannah crying) ♪ I've wrestled fer yer soul night after night ♪ ♪ Maybe tomorrow you'll come to the light ♪ (Susannah sobbing) (ominous music) (somber music) ♪ I'm a lonely man, Susannah ♪ ♪ And ever now and then ♪ ♪ It seems I gotta have somebody ♪ ♪ Somebody I can love ♪ ♪ Like other folks do ♪ ♪ 'Cause it's a lonesome work I do ♪ ♪ My reward ♪ ♪ It be's in heaven ♪ ♪ And there's little reward here below ♪ ♪ But ever now and then ♪ ♪ I near go mad ♪ ♪ I need ♪ ♪ A woman so ♪ ♪ I'm a lonely man, Susannah ♪ ♪ An' made out o' flesh an' blood an' bone ♪ ♪ An' I need somebody ♪ ♪ I can love like other folks ♪ ♪ 'Cause it's a lonesome ♪ ♪ Work I do ♪ (foreboding music) ♪ Will yer brother be home tonight ♪ - No.

♪ Let's go inside ♪ ♪ I'm so tired ♪ ♪ I jes' cain't fight no more ♪ (melancholic instrumental music) (gentle horn music) ♪ Hear me, O Lord ♪ ♪ I beseech Thee ♪ ♪ I have called upon Thee all night in vain ♪ ♪ Thou hast gone from me ♪ ♪ And my spirit has wilted ♪ ♪ Like a mornin' glory when the sun comes ♪ ♪ Return, O Lord, and harken to my plea fer fergiveness ♪ ♪ Receive my confession, O Lord ♪ ♪ An' hear the words of my repentance ♪ ♪ It's a horrible thing I have done ♪ ♪ Fergive the weakness of my flesh, O Lord ♪ ♪ And condemn me not to the eternal fire ♪ ♪ Fer my sin against Thee an' the woman ♪ ♪ She was untouched, O Lord ♪ ♪ She was untouched before her young body ♪ ♪ Was defiled by my hands ♪ ♪ Defiled by my lust ♪ ♪ Fergive me, O Lord ♪ ♪ And grant her Thy peace ♪ ♪ O, fergive me, dear Lord ♪ ♪ An' return unto me ♪ ♪ Thou hast gone far away ♪ ♪ Beyond the sound of my callin' ♪ ♪ Return and grant my tortured soul ♪ ♪ The balm of Thy forgiveness ♪ ♪ What shall I do if Thou desert me ♪ ♪ Leave me not with this weight of sin oppressin' me ♪ ♪ And condemn me not to the fires of hell ♪ ♪ Return, O Lord, I pray Thee, O return ♪ ♪ And let this cup ♪ ♪ If it be Thy will ♪ ♪ Pass ♪ ♪ From me ♪ (ominous tempo music) (gentle music) ♪ Brethren an' sister'n ♪ ♪ I asked you to come here this morning ♪ ♪ Fer the purpose Of rightin' a terrible wrong ♪ ♪ It's a blessed privilege fer the Lord ♪ ♪ To let us make restitution fer our errors ♪ ♪ While we are alive ♪ ♪ An' we have all been in error ♪ ♪ Brethren an' sister'n, bad error ♪ ♪ The young woman what sits in the rear ♪ ♪ Has been the victim of our error ♪ ♪ She is innocent of the charges against her ♪ ♪ And grievous are the things she's endured ♪ ♪ I ask you to beseech her fergiveness ♪ ♪ An' humbly ask her pardon fer your misjudgment ♪ (lively flute music) ♪ How do you know she's innocent, preacher ♪ ♪ The Lord spoke to me in the night ♪ ♪ While I was a-prayin' fer her soul ♪ (dramatic instrumental music) ♪ The devil works in queer ways ♪ ♪ But I swear to you she's innocent ♪ ♪ She's innocent of the charges you've made ♪ ♪ Make restitution now, brethren ♪ ♪ We'll see you at the baptism, preacher ♪ (lively horn music) (Susannah laughing) (gentle string music) ♪ I tried, Susannah ♪ ♪ Your heard me ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ I heard ya ♪ ♪ I'll make it up to ya ♪ ♪ I swear I will ♪ - How?

(gentle string music) Don't touch me!

♪ Fergive me, Susannah ♪ ♪ Please try an' fergive me ♪ - Forgive?

I forget what that word means!

(lively string music) ♪ O Lord, if it be Thy will ♪ ♪ Let this cup ♪ ♪ Pass ♪ ♪ From me ♪ (foreboding music) (melancholic tempo music) (lively flute music) ♪ Hey there, little robin, I'm back again ♪ ♪ With a bag full o' hides and food ♪ ♪ How you been while I was gone ♪ ♪ Did you miss me ♪ ♪ Did you miss me a lot ♪ ♪ You're drunk, Sam ♪ ♪ Jest a mite, hon, just a mite ♪ ♪ But not enough for you to fret your pretty head about ♪ (playful flute music) ♪ Anything happen while I was gone ♪ (Susannah laughing) ♪ What's wrong, little robin ♪ ♪ What's wrong, Susannah, what's happened ♪ ♪ Everything, that's what ♪ - What do you mean, Susannah?

What do you mean?

♪ I went to preachin' like you asked me to ♪ ♪ And he called me down to the altar ♪ ♪ With all them eyes starin' at me ♪ ♪ And then he followed me here ♪ ♪ Soon after I come back ♪ ♪ Who ♪ - The preacher!

♪ Why ♪ ♪ To make me repent ♪ - Oh.

♪ Only he stayed on ♪ ♪ He stayed near all night ♪ ♪ And where was you ♪ ♪ You was out gettin' drunk ♪ ♪ What did he do, what did he do ♪ ♪ Did he lay a hand on you ♪ ♪ Sure he did ♪ ♪ He stayed near all night ♪ ♪ And the worst you're thinkin' is true ♪ ♪ Why, Susannah, why, Susannah ♪ ♪ Why did you let him do it ♪ ♪ Why ♪ ♪ Why ♪ - Because I was tired, that's why!

♪ Tired o' fightin' an tired o' livin' ♪ ♪ In a world where the truth has to fight so hard ♪ ♪ To get itself believed ♪ ♪ And on top o' that, I plum' didn't care ♪ ♪ If people were gonna believe the worst anyway ♪ ♪ Then I didn't see what diff'rence it made ♪ ♪ But most of all, I was tired ♪ - [Sam] The bastard, the filthy bastard!

♪ And where was you, Sam, where was you ♪ ♪ A gun ain't much protection some time ♪ ♪ The sneakin' hypocrite ♪ ♪ Down there baptizin' people right now ♪ ♪ After what he's done to you ♪ ♪ I'll kill him, that's what I'll do ♪ ♪ I'll kill him afore the day's through ♪ ♪ That'll do a lot of good ♪ (audience laughing) (lively instrumental music) (gun cranking) (exciting instrumental music) (somber string music) ♪ Come on in, Sam, and wash up ♪ ♪ Supper's ready ♪ (ominous tempo music) ♪ Sam, supper's ready ♪ ♪ Sam ♪ ♪ Sam ♪ ♪ Sam ♪ ♪ Sam ♪ (lively instrumental music) ♪ Sam ♪ (exciting instrumental music) (gunshot popping) (dramatic instrumental music) ♪ O Lord, I never meant him to do it ♪ ♪ O Lord, I never meant him to do it ♪ ♪ If I'd a-thought he'd a-done it ♪ ♪ I'd a-killed him first ♪ ♪ Fergive me, O Lord ♪ ♪ Fergive me ♪ ♪ For whatever I've done to bring this misery on us all ♪ ♪ O Lord, I never meant to harm nobody ♪ ♪ O Lord, I never meant to harm nobody ♪ - Oh, Sam.

(Susannah sobbing) ♪ Susannah ♪ ♪ Susannah, Susannah, Susannah ♪ ♪ Sam killed him ♪ ♪ Sam shot the preacher ♪ ♪ While he was in the crick baptizin' ♪ ♪ He snuck up behind some bushes ♪ ♪ And nobody seed him ♪ ♪ But we all seed him when he run away ♪ ♪ And the preacher sank right down in the crick ♪ ♪ With a pool of blood around him ♪ ♪ And before they could drag him out, he was dead ♪ ♪ And he was prayin' real hard afore he died ♪ ♪ Askin' fergiveness fer his sins ♪ ♪ An' askin' the Lord to bless you ♪ ♪ It was a terrible thing to hear ♪ (lively instrumental music) ♪ And the folks is comin' here to git ya ♪ ♪ They say you put Sam up to it ♪ ♪ And they say they're gonna run you out'n the valley ♪ ♪ And hang Sam, too, if they catch him ♪ ♪ They're a-comin', Susannah, don't you hear 'em ♪ ♪ What y' gonna do, Susannah, what y' gonna do ♪ ♪ Y' better run, Susannah ♪ ♪ They're gittin' close, they're gittin' close ♪ ♪ Y' better run, Susannah, y' better run ♪ (congregation humming tune) ♪ Get out'n the valley, Susannah ♪ ♪ Get out, get out tonight ♪ ♪ You've caused us too much bloodshed ♪ ♪ You've caused us too much strife ♪ ♪ Get out'n the valley, Susannah ♪ ♪ Get out, get out tonight ♪ ♪ You'd better be a-leavin' ♪ ♪ A-fore they's daylight ♪ ♪ Of all the sins which lay on yer soul ♪ ♪ This was the worst of all to behold ♪ ♪ The preacher was yer friend he was, fer true ♪ ♪ Yer name he called with the last breath he drew ♪ ♪ You'd might as well o' killed ♪ ♪ Him yourself as had him killed ♪ ♪ Jes' so his voice against you'd be forever stilled ♪ (Susannah laughing) ♪ You're mockin' us ♪ (Susannah laughing) ♪ With yer laughter ♪ ♪ You'll regret it, you'll see ♪ ♪ When yer brother's caught and strung on a tree ♪ (mob singing operatic tune) ♪ Get out, get out ♪ ♪ You can't run me off my place till I'm ready to leave ♪ ♪ And that'll be some time to come ♪ ♪ So get out, get out ♪ (mob singing operatic tune) ♪ Get away from here ♪ ♪ Afore I blast you all to kingdom come ♪ ♪ And don't come 'round here again ♪ ♪ Less you don't care nothin' 'bout livin' ♪ ♪ You can't settle everything with a gun, wench ♪ ♪ There's a higher court o' justice ♪ ♪ There'll come a reckonin' time ♪ ♪ There's a higher court of justice ♪ ♪ There'll come a reckonin' time ♪ ♪ There's a higher court of justice ♪ (Susannah laughing) (mob singing operatic tune) (Susannah laughing) (melancholic music) (gentle flute music) ♪ Come on over, Little Bat ♪ ♪ Don't be scared ♪ ♪ I won't hurt you ♪ ♪ I'm lonesome ♪ ♪ Come an' love me up some ♪ ♪ Come on, don't be afraid ♪ ♪ I'm all by myself now ♪ ♪ And you know I was allers good to you ♪ ♪ You said so yourself ♪ ♪ So come on, come on ♪ (ominous music intensifying) (gunshot booming) (Susannah laughing) (sinister instrumental music) (gun cranking) (sinister instrumental music intensifying) (audience applauding) (audience applauding) (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (audience cheering) (audience applauding) (audience whooping) (audience whooping) (audience applauding)