XIII

[matril]

If I write a new song every day but post two songs here, eventually I'll have to catch up, right?

I used Red and Black again, this time for something less fun than Han and Leia's banter - the Senate sequences in Episode I. I figured Amidala's frustration matches pretty well with the tone of the song.

IF, THEN
(Original, starting at 1:50)

Palpatine: I’m afraid that the Senate can do little good
Though the Chanc’llor is kind
He does not have the power he should
So I’m sorry to say that he should be replaced

Amidala: For his kindness you say I should give him a slap in the face
After all of his support
And who would take his place?

If
We wait much longer now
Then
Our people won’t survive
If
The Senate cannot help
Then
How can we stay alive?

Anakin: As they take me away to the Temple to train
I had hoped to see Padmé
And give her a final good-bye

Amidala: She’s not here, I’m afraid, but her heart goes with you
Now our hopes in the Senate we’ll fin’lly try
If there’s compassion still
They’ll listen to my cry

If
You cannot help me now
Then
Your hearts are made of stone
If
You do not care at all
Then
You don’t deserve your throne!

Palpatine: This is good
You have brought a great change
I have no doubt a better man
Will rise to pow’r when this is done

Amidala: Still all the while our people die
I can no more stand idly by
And so back to Naboo I’ll fly!

Palpatine: If
You go, you won’t survive

Amidala: Then
I’ll share our people’s fate

Jar Jar: If
You fight, then we fight too

Amidala: Then
Let’s hope it’s not too late!

Thus far my list has been fairly prequel-heavy, but I do write an OT song now and then. Once again I've drawn a parallel between the two trilogy's romances, with Leia confessing her feelings to the same tune as Padmé. Of course it was tricky to have Han's terse response still fit the music, but I like tricky.

LEIA'S CONFESSION
(Original)

Leia: All our hopes
Have turned to dust
And now the end is near
But in this time of fear
I know what I must do
At last
I won’t deny my heart
If he should die today
At least he’ll know the truth
If not, then let this be the start

Han (to Chewbacca): There’ll be another time
You’ll have to wait
Be sure the princess has a better fate

Leia: I love you Han

Han: I know

Leia: And then
I breathe again
I live again

You would live a hundred years
If I could make it so
To stand and watch you go
It’s more than tears can show
He knows
But has it come too late?
They’re taking him away
My heart is torn in two
I’ll find a way to fight this fate

And here his traitor friend
I can’t forgive!
Unless he’s found a way for Han to live...

Too late, and now
He’s gone away
Another time
Another day

All our hopes
Have turned to dust
And yet we’ll hope again
We’ll search for him, and then
I know what I will do
At last
I’ve opened up my heart
And when we meet again
We both will know the truth
And so

Let this be the start